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.

 

[SwirlinLingerie]

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.

I mean I don't disagree with you. But that's not what Fry is saying he's heard. He said it's all based on this one mystery candidate. It's not - at least according to what he's heard - a situation where Iowa has decided to move on from Kirk and there is one candidate at the top of the list.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

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.

Incoming freshman classes don't mean what they used to, and they won't replace starters. I agree that KF is leaving Iowa football much stronger than when he took over. The cupboard was bare in 1999. The program is very strong today. That said, if this is an outside hire, which it sounds like it is, he will bring his own coaches, system, and culture. There will be roster upheaval. But, as we have seen with MBB, you can rebuild and replace quickly if you are good and well-funded. It is shaping up to be an eventful offseason.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

I mean I don't disagree with you. But that's not what Fry is saying he's heard. He said it's all based on this one mystery candidate. It's not - at least according to what he's heard - a situation where Iowa has decided to move on from Kirk and there is one candidate at the top of the list.

But, my whole point is that if Beth is doing what Fry is saying, KF assuredly knows that. What do you think he would say, "Good luck, Beth, but if you don't land Brian Kelly, I'll give you another year!"

Come on.

 

[Fryowa]

I mean I don't disagree with you. But that's not what Fry is saying he's heard. He said it's all based on this one mystery candidate. It's not - at least according to what he's heard - a situation where Iowa has decided to move on from Kirk and there is one candidate at the top of the list.

I'm not saying he's getting pushed out, I'm saying if it came to that he would. I think KF is savvy enough to see writing on the wall. But who knows.

 

[SmokeTownHawk]

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.

In all this, I have to wonder if any of this has filtered down to the players? You'd have to have some kind of sense about this possibly being KF's last rodeo.

 

[SwirlinLingerie]

But, my whole point is that if Beth is doing what Fry is saying, KF assuredly knows that. What do you think he would say, "Good luck, Beth, but if you don't land Brian Kelly, I'll give you another year!"

Come on.

I agree. That's for you and Fry to work out.

 

[Iceman]

I think most everyone appreciates the job KFz has done. The criticism is a byproduct of how long he's been here. The saying "familiarity breeds contempt" has some truth to

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View attachment 11777

Thanks for the reminder of the Iowa hostage situation!

 

[SwirlinLingerie]

I think what's exciting about all this (beyond the initial sugar high), is that it sounds like this may possibly be a candidate that Iowa wouldn't have a shot at it typically. Like a no-brainer, home run hire. Otherwise, wouldn't Goetz open it up to a national search? You don't bypass a search to hire Pat Fitzgerald or Paul Chryst (just examples).

Which also makes me think this person has studied Iowa and sees it for what it is, positives and negatives. And is attracted to the unique aspects of the job.

I mean if this is Chris Peterson or Kalen DeBoer or something...I'll stop there.

 

[SCHawkeye2]

KFz got emotional and choked up again...after Saturday's win. Beating MSU at home isn't exactly a game-changer. Was it Senior day or is it showing that he knows his run is coming to a close?

Last home game?

 

[dagdaj]

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

You just can't have the guy who was coach for a quarter of a century hanging around in any way with any kind of role beyond symbolic. I suppose, if you could find a way to incorporate him into the hospital in some way? But, they are two completely different entities. Maybe, but I dunno. The hospital knows how to raise money and get stuff done. Probably far better than the athletic department.

All I want is for it to end seemingly peacefully and appear to be a combined effort. It is in the economic interests of both Ferentz and the U to appear in total agreement. Even if they aren't.

 

[SCHawkeye2]

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.

This

 

[HuckFinn]

If what is happening is as Fry is reporting, there is no way this does not get back to KF. It would already be in KF's knowledge. I mean, if some nobody like Fry is reporting this on a message board, you don't think that KF's agent or others in his orbit would not tell him about it? And whatever details Fry knows, I am confident KF knows more. This type of thing involves too many people and is already out. IF IT IS TRUE.

So how does this work? KF goes about his business, Beth strikes out going after this whale. Then what? "Kirk, we'd love for you to coach our team again next year." "Um, go F yourself."

This is not the way the real world works. If Beth and Fry's dark mystery boosters are actively pursuing a replacement for KF, then KF is already done for next year. He is not some 36 year old interim coach that finished off the season well and can be kept on the hook like this. He is a legend. There is no dipping your toe into the water for replacing a KF. You either pull the trigger like you did with Fran, or you bring him back.

If they are shopping for a new coach, KF knows that and has already been told he is done or has already told Beth he is done. So, if any part of Fry's rumor is true, KF is, in fact, done.

Yup.