Who's Out: William Inge is off the board, as he has become the defensive line coach of the Buffalo Bills. Also, shockingly, Juan Castillo might still have his old job with the Eagles; Steve Spagnuolo, long considered the favorite for the job should it be available, has been named the defensive coordinator in New Orleans, and Andy Reid has made no move to push Castillo out despite the fact that Philadelphia hasn't played a game in three weeks.
Who's In: The rumors are flying now. Last week's boomlet was for former Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio. Obviously, he'd be a great selection: Former NFL head coach, former NFL linebacker, etc. But the connection that brought the rumor to fruition -- that Del Rio is a former Ravens assistant, just like Ferentz -- is tenuous at best. JDR joined the Ravens staff in 1999, the season after Ferentz left and his boss, Ted Marchibroda, was fired. Del Rio coached under Brian Billick, who has no connection to either Ferentz or his usual touchstones from the Belichick coaching tree. Also, Jack's son Luke is a top quarterback prospect, and rumor is that Jack wants to coach where his son is playing, and his son isn't playing at Iowa. This is a non-starter.
Where We Stand: No longer are there any questions surrounding the placement of the job opening; that ship sailed late last week. Either this process is dragging on for a logical reason -- we're looking at someone who was, until this week, still coaching -- or it's dragging on because that's just how Ferentz operates. At first, the general train of thought was that, with each passing day, it became less likely Phil Parker was getting promoted to defensive coordinator. After all, why wait to pull the trigger on an internal promotion? Now that we're more than a month removed from Norm Parker's retirement announcement, the consensus has shifted. Ferentz might have made a move toward one or two candidates outside the program and, with his advances rebuffed, will now turn back to his longtime assistant to take the reins. This, of course, would be awful; Phil knows as well as anyone that, if the plan all along was to promote him to the spot, it would have been done long ago. Admitting that your final selection wasn't your top pick for the job puts him, and the program, on the wrong foot from the very beginning.
As for timing, Ferentz has spent the last week on the road recruiting, and will likely spend most of the next two weeks doing the same (a suspicious flight to Pennsylvania last week looked like it could be it, and ended up being an in-home visit for Greg Garmon). It looks like he's in Iowa City for the next couple of days, though. If there isn't an announcement early next week, there likely won't be one until after Signing Day. And that announcement will almost certainly be Tom Bradley.
The Horse Race:
Phil Parker 2-1
Tom Bradley 2-1
Darrell Wilson 12-1
Jim Leavitt 50-1
Jack Del Rio 100-1
Alberto Del Rio 100-1
Scottie Hazelton 100-1
Ron Aiken SCR (New Contract)
William Inge SCR (NFL job)
Larry Johnson Sr. SCR (Stayed w/ PSU)
Rob Vanderlinden SCR (Stayed w/ PSU)
Rick Kaczenski SCR (Nebraska)
Mike Stoops SCR (Oklahoma)
0 recs | 165 comments
My name... Is Iowa defensive coordinator Alberto Del Rio
but you already knew that.
Smokin Herb Grigsby - January 23, 2012 via mobile
Ummm...
If I can’t find the odds for either KOK or Ron Prince for Iowa Defensive Coordinator, where am I going to find them?
Bama Hawkeye - January 23, 2012
Tom Bradley
I remember when Hayden retired and there were rumors flying around that B. Stoops had a real estate agent and was for his new IC pad. I’m sure Mr. Vint has more reliable sources that I did back then, but still.
Is there a reason to believe that Bradley is willing to be a DC instead of sitting out a year and being head coach somewhere? Unless of course KF knows this is his last season and Bradley sees Iowa as the place to be. Which could be possible if he wants to stay B1G…. I can’t think of any coaches on the hot seat going into next season.
Flakbait - January 23, 2012
I don't see Bradley getting a plum head coaching gig.
Due to his age PSU was his one shot and now if he wants to be a head man he’d half to step back to a MAC job or similar. I just see him as the type who’d rather finish out his career as a coordinator somewhere he’s happy than do that.
cafreema - January 23, 2012
He's 56
he’s got another 10 years in him easy.
We’ll ignore an article I once read that showed how most head coaches decline after their mid-50’s
Flakbait - January 23, 2012
Bill Snyder of Kansas State would be an exception
his best work began when he turned 56. So it’s possible.
StoopsMyAss - January 23, 2012
I agree he has 10 years in him.
But you rarely ever see a major conference team make a new hire of someone in their mid-50s. They want someone who 20 years in them (even though they’ll likely only get 5).
cafreema - January 23, 2012
He was being groomed for PSU head coach
That means he’s got 25-30 years of coaching left if he’s only 56.
TEXaco - January 23, 2012
LOL
WaterlooChazz - January 23, 2012
Yeah, probably slightly better
But you make a good point. If Bradley sees himself as a head coach, it’s probably not going to happen at Iowa. Even a coach-in-waiting situation (which Bradley has already been through and would probably avoid like the plague) doesn’t look too good, as he’s the same age as Ferentz.
I’m just saying, there’s enough sustained momentum around him that he’s straight-up with Phil in my book now.
Patrick Vint - January 23, 2012
Question
“I’m just saying, there’s enough sustained momentum around him that he’s straight-up with Phil in my book now.”
From what info do you derive this sustained momentum around Bradley? Not criticizing, just curious. This is about the only place where I have seen him mentioned as a serious candidate. Thanks.
H I McDonnough - January 23, 2012
Bradley
seemed to enjoy spending a long time at one school before. And under a guy that most people think is “classy.”
To me, I’d think that would attract him to being a coordinator at Iowa.
Also, perhaps he’s picked up on the possibility that Ferentz will, someday, retire or go to the NFL (and maybe before he’s real old). And at that point, if Bradly has kept the Iowa defense respectable/at a high level, he might be an okay candidate for the head position (I realize the same could be said for O’Keefe, but I think fan sentiment would prevent that from occurring).
WaterlooChazz - January 23, 2012
With the possibility that PSU might be down for a year or five,
I sort of like the possible recruiting connections in PA that Bradley could bring to Iowa.
WaterlooChazz - January 23, 2012
Are they suffering that much?
tyger1147 - January 23, 2012
I don't see how it can be overstated.
If you were a high school player would you even consider going to a school under the cloud of a child sex abuse scandal that just fired the only coach they’ve had in your parents’ lifetime?
cafreema - January 23, 2012
Akeel Lynch seems to think so. Chose them over Iowa.
I understand the theory and logic of it, but as we often say, logic doesn’t always pertain to the decisions of 17- and 18-year-old HS seniors. I know they’ve had guys decommit and others look around, but has there been some huge loss other than what might be expected from a “normal” coaching change. Have they lost more significant recruits than say, North Carolina or Arizona?
tyger1147 - January 23, 2012
Meh.
People don’t have that long of attention spans anymore.
A year, maybe two, and they’ll be fine.
Eyeheartfreedumb - January 23, 2012
Not yet, although they've had a couple big de-commits.
We’ll see how much it will affect them next season and beyond.
Also, while I think PSU fans have to support O’Brien, he still has a lot to prove in my book. I feel like Charlie Weis and Josh McDaniels have shown that being part of the Patriots’ offensive staff may not be a massive mark of excellence (which has me a little queezy about B. Ferentz, too. But I Brian and the TEs keep doing awesome now that my Niners can’t win the Lombardi).
WaterlooChazz - January 23, 2012
THIS
One_ill_KevinJ - January 24, 2012
If anyone could protect Bradley from the media it would be KF.
Seriously. He’d fart into a mic before he flinched at a pedo-question.
/ferentz pistol-presser photo
Plus, the biggest hurdle is gone with JoePa dead. Now when folks think of the PSU scandal, most will think of JoePa and go “oh, yeah (/sads)” instead of “@%#$! (/rage).”
Eyeheartfreedumb - January 23, 2012
Phil Parker
Is it possible he already has the job, at least a verbal handshake, and sometime in the next few weeks the program will put out an, “Oh yeah. Phil got promoted” press release?
I like this as a Kirk Eff U move.
Blackheartnopants - January 23, 2012 via Android app
I'm expecting thisq
the problem with this team is not the defense as much as the special teams and offense. No changes on that side of the ledger tells me KF is digging his heels and doing the old Todd Lickliter.
StoopsMyAss - January 23, 2012
No disrespect to you
But comparing Ferentz to Licklter? They have two 5 things in common:
1) They both have a T in their name;
2) They both have an I in their name;
3) They both have an R in their name:
4) They both have an E in their name:
5) They both have a K in their name.
Put that all together. What does that spell? Tire K.
hawkinsandmelrose - January 23, 2012
I'm comparing the media demeanor and approach
which is entirely comparable. Unless your Stalin, that is.
StoopsMyAss - January 23, 2012
You know who has a great media demeanor, and I would have never expected it
and I think it is a very contemporary and savvy way to go about communicating to your public, is Brady Hoke.
StoopsMyAss - January 23, 2012
meh
It’s easy to have a great public relations persona when you have low expectations that are severely exceeded in your first year.
I’m not saying he won’t do great things at Bitchagain, but every coach gets grilled by the public and the press, let’s see how he handles it.
hawkinsandmelrose - January 23, 2012
Yes, but like Tressel before him at OSU
Hoke was ecstatic to get the job. And understood what was most important to the fans/alums. Time will tell on how good of a coach he is, but as far as PR and relations with the media (and via the media the fanbase) he has been very, very good.
HoyaGoon - January 23, 2012
Demeanor, yes.
But I’d challenge you to give examples as to how Hoke is such a “great communicator” to the public.
I think many were sort of happy to just have a “Michigan man” back at the helm. And when they won more than they “should have”, that helped too.
WaterlooChazz - January 23, 2012
It's more than that
He came in and proved via his somewhat juvenile reference to “Ohio” that he understood what was most important to the fanbase. He gave the people bread and circus when that’s what they wanted most
HoyaGoon - January 23, 2012
While I think you wrote that very eloquently,
I’m not sure I agree with much of it.
Talking smack between OSU and Michigan is nice, but you’ve got to back it up too. And he did. For one year. I’m just not sure I’ve ever heard him say something and then say to myself “what an effective communicator.”
WaterlooChazz - January 23, 2012
And he got OSU at their very worst.
As in the Worst in the History of OSU. And it wasn’t a cake walk either.
And he doesn’t wear the headset.
hawkinsandmelrose - January 23, 2012
Hoke proved that he "got it", insofar as what Michigan fans are most passionate about
Now, he could proceed to go winless against OSU for the rest of his career, and that will eventually cost him his job if he does. But Hoke was effective at communicating with the fanbase. Eloquent? No. But effective. By putting almost ALL the focus on OSU, Hoke showed to the fans that he understood what they wanted: any Michigan “return to prominence” would have to include ending the streak. UM isn’t there yet, and who knows if Hoke is the man to do it, but if you think that he has been anything other than a great spokesperson for Michigan and re-energized the fanbase, well then you’re just dealing with an entirely separate reality.
HoyaGoon - January 23, 2012
I usually reserve my job performance reviews until there are more than one year on a coach's tenure.
That’s my entirely separate reality. Rich Rod did the same thing at Ann Arbor, and look how that ended. Three years later and they ran him out of town.
hawkinsandmelrose - January 23, 2012
You're missing the point
I don’t know whether Hoke is a good coach or not. You’re absolutely right, a larger sample size is needed. But, in regards to his public relations role, he’s been a grand-slam home run (even if I do find him buffoonish)
HoyaGoon - January 23, 2012
If he had beaten OSU (in a down year for OSU)
and “only” won 7 games total, would you say the same?
I think we are all thinking more highly of him because he took them to a BCS bowl (and won it) in the first year, with a house of cards for a defense.
WaterlooChazz - January 23, 2012
Yes
because from the start, he put OSU on a pedestal and said “THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT GAME OF THE YEAR!” B1G and/or national titles are nice, but beating OSU is the first, most important thing the fanbase cares about. Again, compare him to Tressel when he started at OSU. At his introductory press conference/pep rally, he said something to the effect that “in X number of days, we’re going to beat that school up north!” And the crowd went wild. Tressel’s first season wasn’t amazing, was actually mediocre, but he beat Michigan. More importantly, for a fanbase coming off the Cooper years, Tressel’s focus on Michigan was refreshing and needed. Same with Hoke. RichRod’s greatest failure at Michigan was that he never understood the passion/history/concern of the Big Ten and the Michigan fanbase.
HoyaGoon - January 23, 2012
I think Hoke has been refreshingly candid, self deprecating, and authentic
he’s not standoffish and he understands he’s coaching late adolescents. He does not look like it is life or death and he clearly doesn’t coach that way either. He’s loose. His players are loose. And it showed. And, most importantly to me, he does not act like he’s guarding state’s secrets while finishing .500 against the “level” competition.
He pulled Shoelace on many occasions and the kid never gave him less than 100%. He was bafoonish (I agree with you Hoya) during some halftime and end of game interviews, and he didn’t wear a headset during key moments in games leaving you wondering if he was even running the show or had any idea what was coming, and it left announcers with their jaws on the ground. But, I find myself thinking that his players play hard for him—players it is worth noting that are not even his players.
Purely from a PR-optics POV, you look at him and then you look at Luke Fickle or if Sweater Vest were still there, and I think he makes them look Pooterish. The media serve a purpose and Brady Hoke gets it. The media is not his boss. It is not his enemy. They are a tool, to be used, and he’s managing it beautifully.
Meanwhile, Kirk Ferentz lives in a world where — and I almost believe this — he would like for there to be no press or media at all. In his world, if you didn’t come to the game then you need to talk to someone who did. IN his world it would not be televised, it would not be on radio. It would be like the soccer game that you sometimes drive by with players, a referee and 20 people with lawn chairs. That kind of “old school” disdain for the broadcasting, publishing, and electronic media is a bunch of wasted energy in my book.
He used to be just boring, a bit repetitive and sporadically direct, and when he was overachieving and we were all in the dark about things it was acceptably cute, but now he’s boring, contemptuous and evasive and now that he’s underachieving (based, if nothing else, on point spreads) it’s no longer cute. Especially when you spend money on tickets, provide eyeballs for the BTN, and the like to feed his machine.
I can’t remember the last time he said something that made me smile. And I am totally prepared for him to hire his new DC with a press release at halftime of the Super Bowl that says something like:
StoopsMyAss - January 23, 2012
I honestly believe that some level of "KF" with the press is a put-on.
Which makes me wonder if any level of Hoke is a put-on as well.
Eyeheartfreedumb - January 23, 2012
I think
KF doesn’t enjoy the media, particularly when it is critical of him. That’s not necessarily different from a lot of coaches out there, particularly ones in the NFL. And some of it is due to the (sometimes artificial) “professional” stance that media members take toward covering the Hawks. For instance, Morehouse does a decent job of not being a complete homer, even though I’m pretty sure he is a Hawk fan. I’m not sure I always see the same balance between warmness and professionalism in other writers (sorry Hlas and ScottDo).
I think we all know that to be false. I don’t blame him for not enjoying being stopped on the way up the tunnel at halftime to give a soundbite, or having his team stopped three times a quarter for TV timeouts, or the corporate-relationship and PR aspects of his job. I’m not sure many coaches enjoy those things.
If I had to guess, I’d say Hoke may better understand the importance of media because of his (somewhat recent) days at the helm of Ball State and San Diego St. A guy like Ferentz doesn’t really have a similar experience (head coaching in the new electronic age at a small school).
So, Hoke is an effective coach, and maybe a gifted communicator, or maybe we are just thinking highly of him because of the great first year. The true test will be when he has a season where he is very communicative, but goes 5-6.
I will say this: I finally saw the clip of Ferentz after the Insight practice the other day (the fart clip). I’m not sure why I hadn’t seen it until now. But, it was unimpressive, and nearly derelict of his duties. He doesn’t even have to give a yes/no to each of those questions, but he shouldn’t have acted smarmy about it, either.
He does lack an overt emotional connection to the fans. Lickliter definitely lacked it too. KF will never be Joe Paterno, but he could learn something from JoePa’s career. On the other hand, I’m okay if he’s not Paul Rhoads, stage-diving into the fans and pelvic thrusting his way up and down the sideline.
I do think that part of that lack of connection with KF is on us, as fans. Many of us (more than are willing to admit) have been waiting for KF to screw up since the day he took the head coaching job (I was underwhelmed with him from day 1 up until year three). I think that is part of (not the whole reason, but at least a small part of it) what stops some of us from a bigger fondness for Ferentz, even when he has had his times of big success.
I kind of like that the Hawks have a person at the helm who realizes that there are bigger parts to life than “Iowa Hawkeye Football”. To me, that mentality is one of a sane person, be they a coach or fan or player or whatever.
WaterlooChazz - January 23, 2012
Boo-fucking-hoo
This is complete bullshit
Those three, plus Howe, are the ONLY members of the Iowa press that ask Ferentz anything other than the fuzziest of softball questions. The Iowa media is a bunch of lapdogs. If Ferentz can’t handle that kind of “pressure”, well then he’s far too delicate a flower to handle the rigors of coaching big-time (or even anything above D-II) football.
The simple fact is, Ferentz is a prick to the media because he can be. That is his most Belichick-ian trait. And it’s ok when he’s winning and exceeding expectations. It’s another entirely when he’s coming up short.
No one (I assume) wants a Paul Rhoads-esque type crowd surfer. But once again, Chazz, you draw a false dichotomy. It is possible to find someplace (many such places in fact) between those two extremes. From everything I’ve read/been told, Ferentz is a pretty personable guy. It wouldn’t hurt him—and would probably help him—if he let that out once and again with the press and the public.
HoyaGoon - January 24, 2012
Let the hatred flow through you.
/too late
WaterlooChazz - January 24, 2012
If Ferentz hates the press that much
than the rumors of him going to the NFL are all the more ridiculous. If he thinks its uncomfortable now, there is no way he’d be able to handle the press as the head of a pro team
HoyaGoon - January 24, 2012
I think the NFL is his next stop
but not as a coach. He’ll be in the office, a GM or something. And Mrs. Ferentz will probably have veto power over which city. Less scrutiny, fewer hours, and he has the cred to show up at practice and play coach when he feels like it.
If he wanted the glory of coaching a Super Bowl winner, he would have made the jump years ago. Same thing with money. And over the years he’s made comments about how he’s “been there” and when T.O. was putting on a show before leaving Philly he said something about how having to put up with NFL prima-donnas was not something he even remotely missed.
How long does he stay? Either we’re about to get his last year or he’ll wait until his youngest is done. My gut, which has been notoriously wrong about this stuff, says he leaves after this year and our soon to be announced DC (initials T.B) get’s promoted. KOK leaves to be a head coach in the MAC, where he does quite well and we still show up here to over analise all of them.
Flakbait - January 25, 2012
Chazz...you need to look closer at the dynamics here
if you look at the coaches that get the kind of compensation that KF gets they either have a national championship, played for one, coach in a sold out stadium that seats about 100K people, or oversee a football program with a budget that dwarfs that of Iowa’s.
In other words, KF has a nice gig when compared to his colleagues. Then you look at the “pressure” he has to manage and it is so modest compared to every other guy in the Top 10 (KF is the 7th highest paid). So, I shed no tears for any contempt that KF might have for his media responsibilities.
StoopsMyAss - January 24, 2012
I don't have a ton of sympathy
for his handling (and sometimes mis-handling) of the media, either.
But, plenty of guys in those high-level college positions have messed up at times with the media. It seems like we can’t go half a season without Urb or Saban (or Gundy, or Spurrier) have a little verbal dust-up with the media.
I think some of us here just choose to vilify KF for any impatience or less-than-forthrightness. I’m shocked that Rhabdo hasn’t been mentioned much yet.
WaterlooChazz - January 24, 2012
If KF has such a bad relationship with the media...
why is it that so many in the media seem to like him?
H I McDonnough - January 24, 2012
You just hit the nail on the head
this is not a relationship of journalist serving the readership and coach. This is a question of access. As in, if you want it, play nice.
StoopsMyAss - January 24, 2012
To be fair....
…I don’t think the Michigan fanbase needs your typical “great communicator” to actually be a “great communicator” with the Michigan fanbase. If that makes sense. I think the same could be said for Iowa, too.
I don’t think Churchill* is needed for someone to be an effective communicator with a college fanbase.
*forgive my lack of historical knowledge about great speech-givers.
tyger1147 - January 23, 2012
It's certainly a possibility
but I would guess they’re getting some negative recruiting with the vacancy. I know Ferentz can be a real prick, but not to the detriment of the program (or at least one would hope not).
Patrick Vint - January 23, 2012
Who is that an Eff U to?
other than recruits and fans. Waiting to announce that does nothing positive for the program.
chitownhawkeye - January 23, 2012
He has a stubborn streak
It has served him well, other times not so much.
I was having fun, mostly.
Blackheartnopants - January 23, 2012 via Android app
This
SO MUCH this
HoyaGoon - January 23, 2012
If that is the move
then it is probably the worst way to handle it
HoyaGoon - January 23, 2012
Does the current list of defensive recruits offer any clues?
Bradley would likely bring a cover 3 defense. Do any recruits lean towards being better suited as Heroes, Fritzes, etc.?
YouCanPutYourEddsInIt - January 23, 2012
I think its Phil Parker
and the sports information office, always on top of things, forgot to make the announcement.
Ratface McDougal - January 23, 2012
Biff Poggi is expected to make that announcement shortly. After a rescheduled press conf.
indyhawk - January 23, 2012
Biff Poggi for DC!!
Captain n Diet Coker - January 23, 2012
Well, SID at a minimum
HoyaGoon - January 23, 2012
I LOHL'd
SomeJerkPoster - January 23, 2012
If it is Bradley ...
Is it possible they’re waiting to announce until he’s in Iowa City, and if that’s the case, might he be delayed in leaving Happy Valley due to Joe Paterno’s passing?
The Naked Bootleg - January 23, 2012
Interesting, but unlikely
Somebody posted last week that there MIGHT be announcement today. Still, Bradley can jet in for a presser and be back by dinner time. It’s not like he’s doing funeral arrangements.
Flakbait - January 23, 2012
If it's Bradley, they won't announce until he's in town
though I think the wait wouldn’t necessarily be for Paterno’s funeral (though I doubt they would announce anything during the mourning period) but for Signing Day. There will be negative recruiting if he’s here during signing period.
Patrick Vint - January 23, 2012
I don't understand this
You’re saying that people will tie Iowa to the Sandusky scandal if Bradley is announced as DC before Signing Day, and that could cost us recruits? I would have thought Bradley was a recruiting asset.
Notclevr - January 23, 2012
Long run, yes, I'd hope/think he'd be a recruiting asset.
But short run, he’s been recruiting for PSU this season. Might make some sense to let him finish that, rather than look like “just another mercenary.”
And, I’d question how much good he’d have done, recruiting for Iowa, from roughly January 5th onward.
The best effect he’d have on recruiting before February of 2012 would be the end of the uncertainty.
WaterlooChazz - January 23, 2012
Yes, this.
Patrick Vint - January 23, 2012
I agree.
Long run, surely. And it’s not even the connection to the “Sandusky thing” thing, really. I don’t think too many people connect him directly or intimately or whatever with it Penn State, being as his name has been mentioned exactly nowhere. But in these cases, it’s better not to have any mention than to have a “Hey, they hired the guy that got fired during the Sex Scandal (even though there are no reports of him having any connection to it).”
tyger1147 - January 23, 2012
I'm glad Bradley has been pretty clean regarding the Sandusky mess,
but I’d say the bigger weakness is his 1-3 record once he became interim coach.
And I say that knowing he played 3 pretty darn good teams in those losses (but only really kept one of those 3 games very close).
WaterlooChazz - January 23, 2012
I think it's stunning
how you can make this statement with a straight face.
HoyaGoon - January 23, 2012
More stunning
Is that you can see his face. And if you can, why don’t you ask him?
hawkinsandmelrose - January 23, 2012
Booo
COM’ON MAN
One_ill_KevinJ - January 24, 2012
No, seriously,
I think someone would’ve hired him/pursued him more quickly if he’d gone 3-1, or won the bowl game.
I realize the Sandusky thing isn’t helping him, but it didn’t seem to keep PSU from keeping Vanderlinden and LJ, Sr.
WaterlooChazz - January 23, 2012
Or maybe no one is pursuing him because he said he's not going to coach next year.
tyger1147 - January 23, 2012
PSU was such a trainwreck at that point
And pre-scandal had won games against inferior talent only through last minute miracles…Temple, Purdue, Iowa…honestly, 1-3 is unsurprising in those four games even pre-scandal. 1-3 post scandal? Kind of impressive actually.
PSUCharmas - January 24, 2012
Ugh
I added Iowa at the last second to my list of teams that PSU shouldn’t have beaten, didn’t mean to lump them in with Temple and Purdue as “inferior talent,” honestly I wonder if even Temple and Purdue were significantly inferior talent wise this past year. Yeah, overall Temple probably was, Purdue is a toss up though. I thought Iowa was at least on par, or superior, talent wise to PSU watching that game, and then Iowa dropped the ball 6,000 times and Penn State eked it out.
PSUCharmas - January 24, 2012
You didn't watch may Iowa games this year
PSU was the better team. Iowa winning would have been the miracle.
Flakbait - January 25, 2012
That's true, but
I could see both Ferentz and Bradley
A) out of respect for JoePa, not wanting to take anything away from whatever mourning period is given to Paterno in the media by stirring up the “should this guy be hired, he’s connected to PSU” talk
B) not wanting the hire to be in the same news cycle as Paterno’s passing
The Naked Bootleg - January 23, 2012
Is it possible this delay suggests a larger reshuffling of the staff?
Special teams changing coaches, maybe…? [crosses fingers]
codenameduchess - January 23, 2012
I would shit a brick if we hired a special teams coordinator
But it would be a happy brick.
Black&Gold.Forever - January 23, 2012
As much as I'm hoping to see a major shakeup
I can’t chalk this all up to wishful thinking. I’ve been operating under the assumption since Norm’s announcement that Phil Parker was the guy, and I struggle to wrap my head around the timing and management of this process if that’s the case. Despite KF’s frustrating methods, I feel like I can usually rationalize them. In this case though, if it is Parker, what the hell else could they be doing that would prevent an announcement? What good does the delay do for recruiting? I’m not sure it makes sense that the delay is related to recruiting. I don’t think it’s just wishful thinking that there is more going on than the DC hire.
codenameduchess - January 23, 2012
But I would like to hedge with a bet on Parker to place, as well
What kind of odds does that pay?
codenameduchess - January 23, 2012
Wasn't LeVar Woods a special teams demon?
If he is indeed the new DL coach, maybe he can also contribute to special teams coaching (here’s hoping anyway).
Captain n Diet Coker - January 23, 2012
My current completely made up theory that is semi-plausible
Parker to DC, Eric Johnson to DB coach (he’s done it before and Phil could help out), Brian Ferentz to TE coach/OL coach in waiting. Book it.
I would be totally happy with Bradley. I really hope it’s not Leavitt. Good coach, but I don’t care for him much as a person or want Iowa associated with him after what went down at the end of his tenure at USF. Stoops isn’t even in the same galaxy in terms of anger issues.
NorseHawk - January 23, 2012
Who coaches Special Teams? Wilson?
There needs to be a change there.
YouCanPutYourEddsInIt - January 23, 2012
Wilson and Erb
Linky thingy
PackerHawk - January 23, 2012
RBs *and* Special Teams?
Lester Erb is like doubly awesome.
RossWB - January 23, 2012
Yeah...
He’s doing a bang up job. He was the WR coach pre-Soup too. Although his bio does say that “He has worked with special teams throughout his career at Iowa” No way to know which era of ST performance he impacted and how.
PackerHawk - January 23, 2012
Also
I should give credit to Vint for a cryptic RB/ST coaching gripe/tweet in the middle of the night awhile back for making me a “fan” of Erb’s.
/cited
PackerHawk - January 23, 2012
His bio says he was WRs/ST from 00-07.
So I guess he gets SOME credit for the awesome special teams play we had in 02-04…
RossWB - January 23, 2012
That says to me that he's been riding on Kevin Kasper's coat-tails this whole time.
Eyeheartfreedumb - January 23, 2012
LOL
WaterlooChazz - January 23, 2012
Our RBs are pretty good when they're actually, ya know, on the team
NorseHawk - January 23, 2012
Apparently he can only coach a limited number at a time.
txhawkeye - January 23, 2012
Yes, this is true
But the collective weight of the departures gives me pause. Is it common for every RB who gets injured to leave a team? Are they told that once they’ve been injured they’ll be buried on the depth chart? Was McCall just selfish or was there a problem with how he was coached off the field? Why does it seem that RBs at Iowa are magnets for off field issues at a much higher rate (near 60% off the top of my head) lately?
Also, our RBs are good, but he’s also getting a decent amount of talent and they’re running behind a better than average to good or very good O-line most years and they get a TON of carries. I’m not saying he needs to go, but I am wondering about what’s going on with the position. It’s a correlation but I’m not asserting that it’s a firm causation.
PackerHawk - January 24, 2012
I went to the same high school as Lester Erb (Milton, PA).
I have no idea how good of a coach he is for you (but I guess you guys aren’t all that fond of him from these posts), but he definitely was a hell of an athlete. I once saw him dunk over a kid who was a good 6" taller than him in a HS basketball game (and he can’t be more than 5’10" himself). He was also a great HS running back (although I think he switched to WR in college).
icavalera - January 24, 2012
He's the scape-goat du jour.
Because we’re losing about 2 RBs and an WR a year lately, before we “should” lose them.
There is also the possibility that he has some influence on offensive play-calling, which is another easy target for frustrated Hawk fans.
I’ve never heard a person who has interacted with him say a bad word. To me, that’s a positive.
WaterlooChazz - January 24, 2012
I want you as my boss, Chazz
Seriously.
HoyaGoon - January 24, 2012
That's weird.
I’m always telling you what to do/think/comment, but you don’t oblige.
/YOU’RE FIRED!
WaterlooChazz - January 24, 2012
He's also an excellent recruiter
He’s the lead guy in Illinois.
H I McDonnough - January 25, 2012
That really seems to be the only thing he has in his favor right now
but he has been an excellent recruiter, for a number of years now, in that area.
HoyaGoon - January 25, 2012
I'm sure he's a good guy
But the last part of your argument is invalid as far as his being the scapegoat. Those of us who question the correlation between RB/ST issues and Erb aren’t accusing him of being an evil sonofabitch. Just wondering about whether or not the correlation is causation or just spurious association.
PackerHawk - January 25, 2012
Fuck I sound like a douche.
Just starting taking stats classes again and it all came flooding back
PackerHawk - January 25, 2012
You're correct
that not EVERYONE that is criticizing Erb thinks he’s a bad guy.
But, if we think several of “his” players are leaving the program, possibly due to the relationship (or lack thereof) between those players and the coaches, then it is not exactly a giant leap, right?
And I, for one, applaud your efforts to take classes and keep improving. If I had any self-confidence, I’d more seriously consider going to grad school, but I don’t look forward to writing the papers and doing the research that grad school might entail.
WaterlooChazz - January 25, 2012
Other 49er possibility
Ed Donatell has been a DC in both the NFL and in college, has 30 years of coaching and could have two sons in Iowa City next year.
harf2 - January 23, 2012
Great idea.
And that would make sense why he wouldn’t be named, until after the Niners’ season ended.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Donatell
WaterlooChazz - January 23, 2012
If it wasn't Phil Parker
Wouldn’t he be looking for another job and/or have one? Certainly been here long enough to expect and deserve (right or wrong) the promotion. I would be looking at other schools, and as far as I know his name has not come up anywhere.
Bradley has said in interviews he will not be coaching next year. While there are some coaches that say one thing and do the other, it looks like that would be out of character for Bradley.
I think the “new” DC is Phil Parker, and we all deep down inside know this to be true. Any news outlet (or loudmouth twitter post) would have had info that said otherwise, especially if Parker was being passed over. Parker would be looking for a job, and as Kaczinski left early (likely as soon as he was told he was being passed over) so would have Parker. Given the coaching changes at other schools, hard to see this being a secret. If it hasn’t been leaked, then it’s likely not happening. That’s just me….
hawkinsandmelrose - January 23, 2012
There's wanting to be fair and wanting to make the best hire
But I agree, if it isn’t Phil, hopefully KF has given him some heads up.
mikjones24 - January 23, 2012
Yep.
WaterlooChazz - January 23, 2012
I've never bought into the
“Phil will immediately quit if he isn’t promoted” line of thought.
Might he start looking for a DC position at other schools, or maybe a spot on an NFL staff (Philbin might need help at the Dolphins) going forward? Maybe. And it might take him until late 2012 or early 2013 to get one.
Or, he might feel like he has a very secure job without a ton of headaches and decent-to-good money here at Iowa. I’d think that’s still a pretty good option for someone like him.
Something tells me that Phil Parker doesn’t look too hard for “slights against me.”
WaterlooChazz - January 23, 2012
Good point.
While I think that Phil is the hire (and I would be fine with this), I (for some reason) am not 100% convinced. Maybe it’s overly optimistic, but is it possible that Ferentz is saying Eff U to the Big Ten and goes out and hires a “holy shit” guy??
hawkinsandmelrose - January 23, 2012
I don't think we need a "holy shit" guy but
with some of the bigger named coaches getting hired in the B1G and the (eventual) re-emergence of fOSU/Michigan (add PSU too if you like) perhaps going after a “holy shit” guy would be applicable. We may need one to win? We seem to win with solid defense and average offense AND I see KF as a guy wanting more in a defensive coach than an offensive coach.
I’m fine with whomever he hires as long as it’s not a KOK part deux.
KF Bubblegum - January 23, 2012
I think it's well established that there is KOK part deux
KOK is one of a kind. He cannot be replicated, emulated or tolerated.
mikjones24 - January 23, 2012
There is NO KOK part deux*
I’ve had a real bad habit of leaving out key words as late.
mikjones24 - January 23, 2012
Does that mean he can be replicated, emulated, and tolerated?
hawkinsandmelrose - January 23, 2012
NO.
mikjones24 - January 23, 2012
By "Holy Shit" guy I meant not Phil Parker.
But for the record I think Phil Parker has already been hired. Nothing against Phil Parker, but not hiring him would cause me to say “holy shit”.
hawkinsandmelrose - January 23, 2012
I'm with you
Phil’s got a couple of kids in high school, too. He might start looking, but I don’t think he immediately walks out if he doesn’t get the job.
Patrick Vint - January 23, 2012
It goes the other way for me, too. If it was Parker, wouldn't SOMEONE have said?
Recruits have no clue right now even though they know that Woods is the new D-line coach. Why let that cat out of the bag before an official announcement but be absolutely mum on the bigger hire?
tyger1147 - January 23, 2012
It sure does. Hard to believe that this juicy info would be kept a secret.
18 year olds can’t be trusted, so I trust that if they knew they would blab. And who’s to say that Woods IS the d line coach? Because a recruit says so? (See my comment that 18 year olds can’t be trusted).
hawkinsandmelrose - January 23, 2012
But they also don't have any reason to lie
Is it official? Absolutely not. But I’m betting that Woods is the new D-line coach because we already knew that KF wanted to bring him onto the staff full-time as an actual coach. Recruits “leaking” the news only confirms this.
HoyaGoon - January 23, 2012
I'm not saying they are lying.
I’m saying that the only people who know what is being said at a recruiting visit is a recruit, the recruiter, and the parents. The comments that come from the recruits could be the truth or it could be them misunderstanding something else or it could be they’ve been told a can speech given to Woods to give to the recruits, and they can spin it how they want. All possible.
I would never, ever say that recruits “leaking” anything confirms anything. Hell, how many times was it “leaked” that Joe Paterno had died? And that was by adults.
hawkinsandmelrose - January 23, 2012
It appears that kind of started with Onward State.com and some radio stations. I’m not sure how many were adults and how many were college-aged people or near that age.
WaterlooChazz - January 23, 2012
And, it should be noted
that the kid at OnwardState.com (campus publication) resigned in the wake of discovering that he was wrong.
HoyaGoon - January 23, 2012
From what they said over at BSD
(and I realize it can’t really be taken as gospel), that Devon kid wasn’t all that great. I give him a tiny bit of credit for quitting, but only a little.
Everyone (yeah, Jacobi, too) should have relaxed a little bit on this story.
WaterlooChazz - January 23, 2012
That school paper editor
Brought even more attention upon himself with that announcement. It showed a lack of maturity. A journalist should never make the story about himself.
If he wants to quit, then quit. But don’t include it in the announcement. Nobody cares about his “statement.” College newspapers shouldn’t put out press releases about themselves.
Vandy's Mom Digs Me - January 23, 2012
Part of me
thought he did that just to try to get the recognition of being an “honorable guy.”
I don’t know what that does for his job prospects going forward.
WaterlooChazz - January 23, 2012
I agree.
But that’s the whole point. Even if he isn’t, someone once thought so and said so (ekakitie? johnson? ott? don’t remember who said it). I can’t believe not one of them – not even the ones that might only be barely considering Iowa – have said anything. It’s mind-boggling.
tyger1147 - January 23, 2012
Alberto Del Rio?
the wrestler? if we are going for wrestlers i want CM Punk. no more drinking suspentions when your entire team is streight edge.
justsomehawkeyefan - January 23, 2012
I'd go with Ron Simmons.
Anytime someone missed an assignment, he’d just yell “DAMN!”
http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/799/737/ron_display_image.jpg?1300662653
http://images.buddytv.com/articles/image/wwe-raw/ron-simmons-profile.jpg
WaterlooChazz - January 23, 2012
I was hoping it was Bradley (the only "actually possible" hire that gets me any sort of excited)...
…until I just read where one of you posted that he said he won’t be coaching next year. I can’t see how he’d coach then. Unless, of course, he and Ferentz quickly agreed that he’d coach, he has said that to keep other suitors and media at bay, he’s stated he’s going to finish recruiting for Penn State (and/or not recruit for Iowa this season) or something.
Oh, and why WON’T Jack Del Rio’s son be coming to Iowa? Greg Olsen’s little brother is supposedly considering it.
tyger1147 - January 23, 2012
RE: Kevin Olsen
As a QB or as a TE?
YouCanPutYourEddsInIt - January 23, 2012
Probably as QB
Until we move him to linebacker.
mikjones24 - January 23, 2012
And then he can play QB at a JUCO in two years.
And then sign as a QB at OMHR Turdon’t. They grant players 6 years of eligibility.
hawkinsandmelrose - January 23, 2012
You mean until we move him to "fritz"
Gotta start learning the new scheme…http://smartfootball.com/defense/joe-paternos-penn-state-defense
YouCanPutYourEddsInIt - January 23, 2012
NewJerseyBack
WaterlooChazz - January 23, 2012
Just so long as he isn't a shhhh
running back. Because we don’t have those anymore
HoyaGoon - January 23, 2012
You're absolutely right.
/feels AIRBHG’S breath breezing by.
WaterlooChazz - January 23, 2012
I thought running back was some made up position at ISU.
Iowa would certainly never use some ridiculous name like that for their Woodheadback.
Norm Parker's Amputated Toes - January 23, 2012
Question (which will be denoted by the question marks): How many NFL position coaches are waiting for an opening at a BCS school?
Can’t assume they are all happy with the hours and pressure, maybe some are looking for a stable job in the college ranks?
hawkinsandmelrose - January 23, 2012
This is really true. Well, kinda true.
So maybe untrue. Look, Ferentz runs as close to a pro program as you’ll find in college: No media issues for the coaches, tons of positional gameplanning responsibility, etc. But it’s still a 60-70 hour a week job if done right (it’s been the worst-kept secret in Iowa City for a decade that Chuck Long was ushered out because his 45-hour a week effort was grossly subpar), and you have the added complications of recruiting. I’ve been watching planes these last couple of weeks, and I’ve seen where Ferentz alone goes in January. I wouldn’t wish that much airport time on my worst enemy, and that’s in private planes. KOK flies business class, and I’m pretty certain the rest of them fly coach in those packs of gum with wings planes out of Cedar Rapids, all to eat dinner at some 17 year old’s house and beg him to come play football for you.
What I’m saying is, there’s a plus for pro coaches, in that it’s not as pressure-filled and it’s probably a little less time at the office. But if you love football like most of these guys do, you’d probably rather be doing that than the recruiting you’d have to pick up in college ball.
Patrick Vint - January 23, 2012
Mac N Cheese Again?
Flakbait - January 23, 2012
I don't know about that
The pro job has become a 24/7/365 type scenario. Not that college coaches have a ton of time off, but there are periods where their responsibilities are minimal. Hell, the reason Steve Spurrier was such a complete washout with the Redskins is the fact that he wasn’t the live-at-my-office type coach the pro game demands, he’d rather be out on the golf course.
HoyaGoon - January 23, 2012
And I don't understand why the professional job has become like that.
Are there really that few guys on staff that can scheme, and break down tape (admittedly, I’d struggle with it, but I have no training, either).
I realize the pro coaches have been this way for a long time (at least back to the early 1990s), but I just don’t know why?
WaterlooChazz - January 23, 2012
Because when you're paid that much money
you have to perform. The leash is short in college football, but it’s even shorter in the pros. And nothing gets a coach canned faster than the idea that the losses he has are due to the fact that he wasn’t willing to put the work into winning.
HoyaGoon - January 23, 2012
Maybe.
But plenty of guys are killing themselves to lose, as well.
And again, I wonder what the tasks actually are for those guys. I don’t expect you, Hoya, to provide a huge list. But if anyone around here does know, feel free to join in this discussion.
WaterlooChazz - January 23, 2012
I guess I was thinking the coaches would like to get out of the "win now" league.
Staff turnover, etc. With an NFL team on the resume, seems like an easy lock at a BCS school (maybe co-coordinator, maybe stand alone coordinator, position coach) with a few years of stability. Especially for a 30-something coach with a young family.
Good point regading the recruiting and hours though.
hawkinsandmelrose - January 23, 2012
Might depend on the money.
If you land at a top-25 program as an assistant, you might get paid nearly as well as if you’re an NFL assistant.
But, you can get fired pretty easily at the college level, too. There’s a reason we marvel at the stability of Iowa assistants who’ve been there just over a decade, or guys like Tom Bradley who’ve spent an entire career at PSU. It is more rare than we probably think, particularly with guys who are current coaching “legends” (Saban, Meyer, Carroll) all jumping around a fair amount.
WaterlooChazz - January 23, 2012
Re: Long
the little I’ve heard of him as a coach is, ummm, not flattering.
Brock8144 - January 24, 2012
See: 9-27 record as head coach
hkobb7 - January 24, 2012
I was talking more in terms of people who have worked with him
but yes, the record is quite damning in itself.
Brock8144 - January 25, 2012
I really don't like to hate on him, but he's just not....good at the whole coaching thing, which goes without saying.
Head coaching is a gig that only works for a select few people, for sure.
hkobb7 - January 25, 2012
Particularly because
almost every Aztec coach over the last 20 or 25 years has had a season or two where they went .500 or better.
Chuck didn’t.
He might be an okay coordinator, (although, he may not have shown that much at Kansas).
WaterlooChazz - January 25, 2012
This is not at all on-point,
but Mizzou is #2 in the recent mens’ hoops poll.
I did not see this coming in the Frank Haith era.
Then again, it is a conference where ISU is tied for third, so grain of salt, etc etc.
WaterlooChazz - January 23, 2012
Also way off-topic,
One of the guys from Workaholics is originally from Waterloo. Awesome!
http://wcfcourier.com/entertainment/waterloo-native-becomes-a-workaholic/article_6a50362c-45ec-11e1-8f4f-0019bb2963f4.html
WaterlooChazz - January 23, 2012
It's always nice to see when someone escapes.
nhradar - January 23, 2012
LOL
WaterlooChazz - January 23, 2012
This line just sent my head spinning....
Kluginator - January 24, 2012
Kirk Ferentz Swayze will haunt my dreams
PackerHawk - January 24, 2012
He's a better looking lady than Ken or Chris.
RossWB - January 24, 2012
Yes, I think that's why it will haunt me
The other two are just awful. Kirk looks like he could actually pull of 6"heels on the sideline.
PackerHawk - January 24, 2012
/clapclapfingertwirl
hkobb7 - January 24, 2012
He has nice cheekbones.
Blackheartnopants - January 24, 2012 via Android app
So the job postings for both the DC and the football assistant have been extended yet again
DC job to February 1st (also the same day as Signing Day and the next time Ferentz will be in front of the media) and the assistant job to February 10th.
Captain n Diet Coker - January 24, 2012
So, LeVar Woods isn't even cartain yet?
Or is it a listing for the replacement at his last position (GA?)
WaterlooChazz - January 24, 2012
Whatever made you think LaVar Woods was certain, and what has changed that makes you think he isn't?
tyger1147 - January 26, 2012
Most people around here seem to think he's a lock for DL coach.
And the assistant position is now even later, in terms of date, than the DC position.
I realize the dates are merely a formality, though.
WaterlooChazz - January 26, 2012
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