Iowa hires former Western HC Tim Lester as OC

Submitted by jimmyshi03 on January 28th, 2024 at 2:25 PM

https://dailyiowan.com/2024/01/28/iowa-football-hires-tim-lester-as-offensive-coordinator/

This had been rumored for a bit and seems remarkably underwhelming for the length of the search, though obviously Kirk was likely never going to the Air Raid or anything. Lester’s offenses were fine. He likely had more receiver talent at WMU. He was with the Packers as an analyst this past season (he and Matt LaFleur were college teammates), so maybe it’ll include elements of that offense. 

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The Mad Hatter

January 28th, 2024 at 2:37 PM ^

"Fine" is a major upgrade over Ferentz the Younger. If their defense stays as solid as it has been, they should be able to make a 12 team playoff once in a while with that.

Joined: 02/17/2015

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ex dx dy

January 28th, 2024 at 3:23 PM ^

After Brian was fired, Kirk made comments (I can't remember the exact wording) that suggested he was going to retire after the season, but didn't say so outright. He later "clarified" by saying that he was upset when he made those comments and that we was going to be at Iowa for always and eternity. Perhaps that's what you were remembering?

Joined: 10/30/2018

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PopeLando

January 28th, 2024 at 3:25 PM ^

No you didn’t.

But it was never true

Kirk Ferentz pulled a “not ready to talk about next year yet” sometime during the regular season, and a couple people jumped straight to “he’s retiring!”, not remembering that Ferentz The Elder has had the attitude of “you can have this team when you pry it from my cold dead fingers”

Joined: 08/01/2015

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bronxblue

January 28th, 2024 at 2:53 PM ^

We'll see but this absolutely the type of guy Ferentz would hire.  The issue with Iowa is less the schematic choices as it is talent, and so that'll be a big deal for them.  They've had a bad offensive line for a couple of years and that's submarined any hope for a competent offense.

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stephenrjking

January 28th, 2024 at 4:57 PM ^

Seems underwhelming to me.

It's not like there aren't guys you can hire, and it's not even like utilizing a run-first attack can't work--Michigan just won a national title doing that--but this doesn't move the needle.

I guess, given the sudden stacked nature of the conference, we should be grateful for a few teams retaining their embrace on mediocrity. 

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Double-D

January 28th, 2024 at 10:12 PM ^

Ferentz is an idiot. You’re playing with house money.

You are secure in your position. You have one of the very best DCs in the history of the game.

You have a chance at a dynamic OC from Duke who could win it all for you.  And your choice is to play it conservative?

If I were an Iowa fan I would be tearing up the place. 

Joined: 12/21/2013

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Golden section

January 29th, 2024 at 1:58 AM ^

When the OP said hires former "former Western HC"  I thought he was referring to Western University of London, Ontario. And I thought they scoured the world looking for the one guy worse than Brian Ferentz. 

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McSomething

January 29th, 2024 at 6:23 AM ^

It came out (was rumored/speculated?) after Saban retired that he struggled down the stretch to find good coaches to join his staff, because he couldn't guarantee 5 years. I wonder if Ferentz is having similar difficulty with his offensive staff.

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