Ghost of Hoke

November 8th, 2016 at 1:49 PM ^

Feel pretty bad for Iowa. They feel like their AD and coach have completely fucked their program. Hopefully we can help by putting up 60 this weekend.



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Joined: 12/03/2014

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jmblue

November 8th, 2016 at 2:50 PM ^

Well, they are in a state of 3 million people that produces little talent, and have to share it with Iowa State.  And yet, they go to bowl games every year, and a BCS/NY6 bowl every few years. Kirk Ferentz, one of our favorite punching bags, has a winning record (6-5) against Michigan. It could be worse for them.

 

 

Joined: 11/07/2008

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jmblue

November 8th, 2016 at 3:25 PM ^

Actually I can think of a few reasons.  The state of Wisconsin has nearly twice the population of Iowa.  Moreover, UW is the only FBS program in Wisconsin, whereas there are two Power 5 programs in Iowa.  UW is also located closer to the Chicago talent pool than Iowa is.

Hayden Fry was an amazing, Hall of Fame-level coach.  He represents the ceiling for Iowa.  It's no simple task to find another coach that good. Stiil, Ferentz has come reasonably close to what Fry accomplished: he's 132-91 there, and that includes a 4-19 start.

 

 

 

Joined: 11/07/2008

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reshp1

November 8th, 2016 at 3:35 PM ^

No one is saying they should get rid of Ferentz, especially not after last year. But why set up such a cozy situation for him that incentivizes mediocrity and makes it nearly impossible to get rid of him for years and years and years? He's not a flight risk and the contract pretty much encourages him to do just enough to get by.

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Hard-Baughlls

November 8th, 2016 at 3:43 PM ^

They know it.  Locking him up ensures that som struggling traditional power like ND or Texas or any other that comes along doesn't take a flyer on him on one of those 2 years a decade he overachieves and wins 10+ games. 

It's like being stuck in a meh marriage where it's not bad enough to bail but neither party is completely content.

We're Michigan, the winningest team ever, and if Harbaugh didn't come home we might still be wandering in the desert.  I used to bash Lloyd for his "mediocrity", but the last decade taught me that the grass isn't always greener.

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charblue.

November 8th, 2016 at 4:02 PM ^

part of the reason for the desire to keep Ferentz is the feeling that if you looked elsewhere, you'd find yourself in a perpetual revolving door situation. Ferentz has been successful at Iowa, and it never has been a consistent powerhouse, occasionally making it up to the top rung of the conference standings, as Ferentz record after Hayden Fry clearly demonstrates. He represents stability in a fast-moving environment in a commodity sport not supported by great fundamentals to achieve on the highest level, but able to compete based on traditional values and grounded beliefs in team development.

And make no mistake, Iowans are great and rabid fans. But they understand their team's limitations. And they would rather succeed on a consistent level than suffer the ups and downs of uncertainty. What's more, Ferentz has come under Michigan consideration and recommendation as coach, as well all know. So, there is that, too. Not like the guy is a putz now that he got a new contract.

Joined: 05/25/2010

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jmblue

November 8th, 2016 at 4:13 PM ^

I agree that a 10-year contract for a 61-year-old coach is a bit odd.

I disagree, though, with the assumption (apparently held by many) that they can definitely do better than Ferentz.  I'm not sure about that.  I expect his successor to fare worse.  I can see why Iowa fans are getting tired of his teams - they're pretty boring.  But being boring and going to bowls every year isn't rock bottom.

 

 

 

Joined: 11/07/2008

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Perkis-Size Me

November 8th, 2016 at 2:55 PM ^

Don't even remotely understand the Ferentz extension. The guy has been around long enough for us to know that his good years are always followed by mediocre ones. He can find success, but he can't ever sustain it.

I think they all got caught up in the fool's gold that Ferentz gave Iowa last year. Did any of them stop and notice what happened to Iowa when they finally played a real team in the Rose Bowl? Ferentz isn't a terrible coach, and sure, Iowa should never make the mistake of assuming it can be UM or OSU in terms of buying power and overall allure, but its still a good enough program to where you can do better than what you currently have.

Now you're stuck with the guy for the next decade. For better or worse.  

Joined: 11/30/2011

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I dumped the Dope

November 8th, 2016 at 3:48 PM ^

If Iowa is going to swing for the fences and try to unearth the next Hayden Fry they are going to be Purdue for 90 years out of 100 if you ask me.  Instead they have Ferentz who has put pullenty of players in the NFL and is probably an average 7.5 game winner out of 12 game season.

My Parents went to Iowa and in the 60s they were Purdue according to them, losing nearly every game.

They pay him richly but there's really no drama in the way he coaches and I feel certain his P.R. is absolutely rock solid.  I get that Iowa is an abberation in the current state of college football where every coach must be ascending thru greater and greater programs of increasing responsibility or is tossed aside as trash.  Its not thoroughly illogical they are satisfied with a winning team (on average) every year and then there are a few years where the stars lineup with upperclassmen and favorable schedule like last year.

TL;DR - Harbaughs and Meijers and Sabans are hard to find.  Statistically they are out there but at what cost?

Joined: 09/22/2013

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mGrowOld

November 8th, 2016 at 1:49 PM ^

Nov 7

Decom

Chevin Calloway decommits from Iowa Hawkeyes

Oct 7

O. Visit

Chevin Calloway officially visits Arkansas Razorbacks

Oct 1

O. Visit

Chevin Calloway officially visits Nebraska Cornhuskers

Jul 11

Commit

Chevin Calloway commits to Iowa Hawkeyes

Jun 8

U. Visit

Chevin Calloway unofficially visits Texas Longhorns

Joined: 10/04/2010

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rock7413

November 8th, 2016 at 2:00 PM ^

The tides were looking to change with Iowa and success on the recruiting trail. But after losing the Texas duo, Eno Benjamin and now Calloway, it's back to the same ol' Iowa. Ferentz still has Epensea, yes, but he's a legacy kid and the that's the ONLY reason he's going there. I understand Iowa has geographical limitations in regards of recruiting, but until they can keep kids like Calloway, they will always be the program "with the fake I.D.".

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