Write it down...

[NorthKCHawk]

I know what you are saying, but there are some added layers of complexity to this where the marriage analogy falls short. Kirk is likely close to retiring soon. On some level, he knows Goetz and the donors need to actively plan for that day.

Plus, one parent already excommunicated the oldest son, and the spouse still chose to stick around.

So there is some understanding that this is a business arrangement, not a marriage. And it includes third party decision making (donors). If Kirk was younger with more years left to coach, maybe he'd tell Iowa to shove it and go take his talents to another university.

He's not just going to sit by and wait to see if they find a better coach to replace him. That type of limbo does not exist in this scenario. If they are searching for a new coach, it is with his knowledge. Next year has been decided.

 

[Fryowa]

I've heard a huge part of it is that other teams are really leaning into KF's age/whatever you want to call it for negative recruiting. I mean the guy is 70 years old and regardless of the subject of this thread, it'd be a pretty far stretch as a high school senior or parent to commit to play here in 2027 knowing he either might not be the coach when you graduate high school, or at best won't be there very long.

If you're Woods or Bell how do you even begin to answer that question from parents? Parents are smart enough to know that in college football when the coach goes, so do the rest of the staff. Not a conversation I'd enjoy.

That's the one problem with a long-term coach who's way past retirement age. Even if he makes the end of his contract that puts him at 2029. None of us here are dumb enough to think he's going to get another contract at age 74. So...if you're a class of '27 recruit you know 100% that you're going to have a house cleaning of staff...would you be willing to sign if you were even remotely elite and had other offers? I know college coaches get the boot all the time nowadays, but in this case you're 100% guaranteed to have a 52 card pick up scenario during your playing career.

That's what's probably behind this, tbh. Not even KF can stop father time, and it's easy for him to think he can keep doing this and still preserve the future at the same time. He can also realize that he's creating problems like I mentioned above if he stays and act accordingly.

 

[kameltoez102]

Fry, just curious on the following. Have you heard if Kirk would be staying on within the Athletic Department as a consultant or Fundraiser/Liaison with the Children's Hospital? Could be an interesting way to avoid paying out his contract buyout but also keeping him around the program. While maybe it is time for him to leave the sidelines he provides tremendous value in other capacities. NIL has opened the door to previous positions that never had life before and if I remember in an old interview when asked what his dream job would be he mentioned something on the consulting side of football. Could also possibly help to avoid some nasty recruit turnover if he is still around the program in some capacity

 

[NorthKCHawk]

Again, everything has its season. Not everyone gets to go out like Tom Osborne. Paterno, Bowden, Beamer, even our beloved Coach Fry, stayed too long. This season is a really KF Iowa sort of a season. Be a good one to end on for KF. Plus, there is a lot of rebuilding to be done given graduations. It feels like time.

 

[Fryowa]

Fry, just curious on the following. Have you heard if Kirk would be staying on within the Athletic Department as a consultant or Fundraiser/Liaison with the Children's Hospital?

Nope. I'm not an insider on anything to do with KF so I have no idea.

 

[HawkPowerlifter]

Again, everything has its season. Not everyone gets to go out like Tom Osborne. Paterno, Bowden, Beamer, even our beloved Coach Fry, stayed too long. This season is a really KF Iowa sort of a season. Be a good one to end on for KF. Plus, there is a lot of rebuilding to be done given graduations. It feels like time.

Their 2026 class is showing some promise in recruiting. Addressing needs. A quarterback, couple linebackers, couple defensive backs and some offensive linemen. Granted with the NIL and portal that can change tomorrow.

However, he would be leaving the program in a much better situation than when he started. And a coach who would be like minded and continue his culture. In some ways, it makes sense. If it is the case, I truly hope our guys have two more wins in them. Send him out the right way.