Christian Petersen - Getty Images
The book is closed on the 2011 football season. It's time to move hoops to the top of the jump. Before we do, there's plenty to look forward to 2012. I've been "live bloggin" for a couple years now; I think I have the schedule down. It goes like this; signing day and the NFL combine in February, Spring practice in March, Spring game and NFL draft in April. Nothing except recruiting nuggets and NFL camp notes in May-late July. Then the preseason becomes the 2011 season and the cycle begins again.
Some have already began to look ahead to Iowa Football 2012. Rob Howe, of Hawkeye Insider, provides his glimpse. Marc Morehouse, of the Cedar Rapids Gazette, does too. It's somewhat theraputic to look ahead, especially after being outclassed those last two games. But still, a lot can change, for the better, hopefully better and of course, for worse.
It sounds like Marcus Coker intends to be back for next year. Ferentz also said he believes McCall will be back too. The semester begins in two weeks, I'd think if they both are enrolled for Spring semester that's good for Iowa.
The Hawks went to the JUCO ranks to recruit a replacement for AJ Derby's quarterback spot on the roster. Iowa born Cody Sokol will be on campus for Spring ball and maybe will challenge Vandenberg for the quarterback spot.
The rest of this month is all about recruiting for Ferentz and company. How many more recruits Iowa will get verbals from remains to be seen. Ferentz has said "20," I hope for closer to 25. There's also the defensive coaching positions that need filling.
The defensive coordinator vacancy has been posted online by UofI. The close date is January 11th, so we may find out more next week. Ferentz isn't in a hurry and says, "If it costs us a recruit or two, we will make up for that next year."
On to basketball. The men's team may have given us fans some hope for the season. After a slow start it appears the Hawks are turning a corner, and at the right time. The players look like they have great chemistry and look like they have fun on the court. They may still not make a post season run but a team with good chemistry can be dangerous down the stretch of a season.
Iowa hadn't beaten a ranked team on the road since 2006 before defeating Wisconsin. They also were just the second unranked team to beat the Badgers at the Kohl Center while Bo Ryan has been coach. The Hawkeyes entered Saturday's game as 16 point underdogs.
Iowa currently sits at (9-6) on the season and (1-1) in Big Ten play. The Hawkeyes next face the Minnesota Golden Gophers (12-3, 0-2 in the Big Ten) tomorrow night in Minneapolis. After defeating kenpom.com's #1 team Wisconsin, Iowa has moved to #100 in the rankings. Minnesota, despite losing two in a row, sits at #46.
Other links of interest:
0 recs | 108 comments
"If it costs us a recruit or two, we will make up for that next year."
Am I the only one who thinks this is a ridiculous statement? Especially given the unsurprising nature of Norm leaving, the program has had plenty of time to find a replacement. Maybe it’s decided and they are going through the motions with the process here, but it doesn’t seem like it.
isHawkeye - January 3, 2012
Well, if they are going with a currently-employed outside hire,
and if that person wanted to coach at the bowl game with their current team, then Iowa really has no choice but to wait until January. That may not help recruiting, but what can we really do?
However, if it is “just” promoting Parker or Wilson, then there is no reason to let the uncertainty linger. And if this is the case, the effect(s) of that uncertainty on recruiting are needless, and we should be wondering why the heck it is happening.
I once thought that a promotion of Parker or Wilson was about 80% sure to happen. Now, I’m genuinely wondering who it will be.
WaterlooChazz - January 3, 2012
I'm with you 100% on this one Chazz
if it is an internal promotion, then there was absolutely no reason for an announcement to take this long, and we’ve shot ourselves in the foot for no reason whatsoever.
But, the longer this goes, the more convinced I’ve become we’re going outside the program for the hire.
HoyaGoon - January 3, 2012
Makes you wonder if it *is* Bradley, for example
That if he doesn’t get promoted from interim to permanent head coach at Penn State, that he’s coming here… (da da duummmmm its so fun hiding under this bridge…)
The Bird Cult - January 3, 2012
I've managed to convince myself
that it is Ron Aiken
HoyaGoon - January 3, 2012
The OTHER reason this has taken so long could be
that KF wants to legitimize Parker or Wilson by having a “full scale” search in which “after interviewing and considering everyone we thought we should or could for this job we kept coming back to….”
I think it’s going to be Parker or Wilson, and then that means a position on the staff opens up and that might be the real reason for the delay, to get the house in order so that position is filled ably. I think KF hates disruption, especially when things are not going well (like now). Which is, of course, the opposite of how the fan base thinks. They think, “things are going bad, let’s have lot’s of disruption, let’s clean house!”
StoopsMyAss - January 3, 2012
Has anyone considered that he may be waiting until all the NFL firings and staff changes shake out?
Is it possible he wanted to see who might be available from the pros?
FiveSecondRuleChef - January 3, 2012
Not sure that would be a great strategy.
How many NFL DCs are going to take a college DC job when they’re just as likely to get a position coach offering in the NFL?
The Mexican't - January 3, 2012
I really didn't think that a pro DC would be available.
I was thinking more along the lines of a position coach who has been around a while who Kirk knows from way back. A real up and comer who is ready to take us to the next level and unleash holy mother-fucking-hell on the Big Ten. That or bend but don’t break.
FiveSecondRuleChef - January 3, 2012
A position coach who Kirk knows from way back
who is also a real up-and-comer? These things seem contradictory.
Lycurgus - January 3, 2012
yes - a poor choice of phrases.
I should have said maybe “a guy ripe for the job” – I realized my blunder shortly after writing it. I’m not really good at this word thing.
FiveSecondRuleChef - January 3, 2012
You know, I'll bet Kirk doesn't like it if the toilet paper is turned the wrong way at his house
“waaaaaa?”
The Bird Cult - January 3, 2012
I sure as hell don't
Over the top, not under.
Captain n Diet Coker - January 3, 2012
toilet paper under
is horrible. Indication of an inability to plan and/or execute.
The Bacon Explosion - January 3, 2012
I've always been an over man.
But I seem to remember an episode of Mama’s Family where the plot was that there was a burglar called the Courteous Crook who cleaned homes he burgled. I think he did it under. Maybe a signal of a criminal mind.
SomeJerkPoster - January 3, 2012
I go left or right
depending if I am feeling whimsical or not
Lycurgus - January 3, 2012
YOU ARE RIGHT SIR
Everyone else is doing the wrong way, and under is not the Iowa way. You see our plays coming. Its all about execution, no trickery, we run straight at you.
The Bird Cult - January 3, 2012
ma'am, not sir
The user name should give her away if you’re not familiar with her work.
therealCatnuts - January 3, 2012
I once accidentally installed it so that the paper came from under, I had a shit-fit when I realized that it was under.
I immediately changed it to the top and I was happy again.
EnergizerHawk - January 3, 2012
Plus
it’s not exactly like the D has stockpiles of talent due to recent attrition. I don’t think losing 1-2 recruits is the end of the world, depending on the position they play, but I’d rather Kirk not be so blase’ about it.
HoyaGoon - January 3, 2012
I think his point is that a DC hire is more important in terms of long-lasting impact than a few recruits.
Which is probably true.
RossWB - January 4, 2012
Few coaches troll their fanbase as effectively as Coach Ferentz.
SomeJerkPoster - January 3, 2012
bingo
StoopsMyAss - January 3, 2012
Let's not rush things
The spring semester doesn’t start next week. First day of classes is Jan. 17. Please let me enjoy my uncrowded downtown lunches a while longer!
rosalita - January 3, 2012
whoa, my bad
Thanks for pointing that out
PSD - January 3, 2012 via mobile
Blew Out My Bag
I cannot belive that line made it onto national television.
That commercial is just horrible.
Flakbait - January 3, 2012
Getting the right DC in is far more important
than “a couple of recruits” so I don’t have a problem with KF saying it. I’d be more nervous if he was sounding desperate.
cbhawk89 - January 3, 2012
Wow, McCall coming back...
That would be surprisingly good news. And the fact that Ferentz actually made the comment is encouraging.
Ill Jukes - January 3, 2012
The fact that he also made that comment regarding Coker is even more encouraging...
The Bird Cult - January 3, 2012
McCall
he gone
PSD - January 3, 2012
Word from Facebook or media?
The Mexican't - January 3, 2012
Per Rivals
PSD - January 3, 2012
So was he released from his scholarship?
or what’s his next move?
White Lightning - January 3, 2012
He's still got a redshirt, so it won't matter.
No idea where he’ll end up, though.
The Mexican't - January 3, 2012
Not BCS-level, I'm sure
It’s alarming how often these kids transfer without realizing it’s almost always a huge demotion in program
therealCatnuts - January 3, 2012
MasCasa confirms
Link
brock_tune - January 3, 2012
I'm cautiously optimistic.
It would be great to have those two pushing each other through the spring. I mean, we really could have a back up running back? Even saying it feels too good to be true.
One_ill_KevinJ - January 3, 2012
Well, if Mas Casa is right, your optimism (along with mine) is totally fucked up now.
The Bird Cult - January 3, 2012
It would be nice to keep McCall,
but Canzeri had a nice bowl game. Also, I still want to see DeAndre Johnson get more carries.
Priority one will be to get Coker completely healthy and focused.
WaterlooChazz - January 3, 2012
Yeah,Iowa's running game is fantastic!!!
tyger1147 - January 3, 2012
It's a new year and hope still springs eternal.
Stay thirsty, my friends. - January 3, 2012
Meh, football. Yes, basketball.
I will now spend a good portion of the rest of my day looking online for the velour track suit McCaffery was wearing in that video. I must own one.
codenameduchess - January 3, 2012
Hey did BTN ever do an episode of that "inside the office" thingy with Ferentz?
Pretty sure all 11 other coaches did one.
Bucketochicken - January 3, 2012
Great question. I have never seen it.
BentNotBroken - January 3, 2012
“step into my office”? If that’s what you mean, looks like everyone but Joe Pa and Kirk did it.
rupertj - January 3, 2012
Yeah, that.
And hey, color me shocked…
Bucketochicken - January 3, 2012
Nolan MacMillan
I noticed neither of the previews for next year mentioned him in the running for guard. I know he’s had injury issues – did he decide to hang them up?
Brock8144 - January 3, 2012
Pretty sure I saw him at the bowl game.
I’m guessing it was just an oversight.
SomeJerkPoster - January 3, 2012
he was practicing in Tempe last week
If he isn’t a sure fire draft pick he could petition for a medical waiver for the 2011 season.
PSD - January 3, 2012
Sure hope not. He was by far our best OG when healthy
therealCatnuts - January 3, 2012
Iowa Nice
NSFW
/ this has probably been posted a million times on BHGP over the weekend
// been on vacation and not lurking
/// eff ewe, I’m Iowan
Lukateake - January 3, 2012
PSD, you combined the new QBs
You have Cody Sokol listed as Jake Sokol.
Norm Parker's Amputated Toes - January 3, 2012
fixed
thanks NPAT
PSD - January 3, 2012
There are many factors in moving beyond a ho-hum season.
Ah, Harty.
Third Generation Hawk - January 3, 2012
McCaffery spoke today
PSD - January 3, 2012
If it ain't broke...
isHawkeye - January 3, 2012
...take it up to Minnesota and bust some ass.
SomeJerkPoster - January 3, 2012
Two wins in a row would definitely turn some heads.
Not counting on it, but man would that be nice.
therealCatnuts - January 3, 2012
I was fully expecting to start Big Ten play at 0-6
so to actually have some hope at the beginning of conference play is a welcome surprise
ClaybornSmash - January 3, 2012
thanks for the heads up
just got my app in for Football Defensive Coordinator, wasnt sure what to put down for requested wages, do you think 15$ an hour is to high? Also asked for weekends and holidays off, wish me luck..fingers crossed
chuck longs mom - January 3, 2012
You'll at least het a courtesy interview
due to your birthing of an all-time Iowa great.
txhawkeye - January 3, 2012 via mobile
You wrote in your cover letter that you despise the blitz, social media and fedoras
and see football strictly as a game of attrition. Right?
StoopsMyAss - January 3, 2012
I considered it
but they wanted 4 references and I only know 3 people so…. I have to stay in the data mines.
Flakbait - January 3, 2012
You sound like a prime candidate for GA.
SomeJerkPoster - January 3, 2012
I'll take the data mines over the salt mines anyday.
The Bird Cult - January 3, 2012
All the 1's and 0's in here are cold and unfeeling.
At least salt is tasty!
Lukateake - January 3, 2012
NERD JOKE
is funny
therealCatnuts - January 3, 2012
Hey! At the quantum level things have spin and flavor and color
Them quarks are tasty!
The Bird Cult - January 3, 2012
But vibrating 10-dimension stings are stretchy!
Eleven if you count time.
Lukateake - January 3, 2012
Thanksgiving might be a problem, but lately it hasn't been a problem to take New Years off.
RossWB - January 4, 2012
Looks like Albert Young got picked up by the Steelers
Captain n Diet Coker - January 3, 2012
Um, if PomPom rankings still have 12-3 Wisconsin as #1
isn’t it time to stop pretending they have any credibility?
While I appreciate computer and result based rankings (making the fact that the ranking is absurd based upon evaluation of talent and/or actually looking at their games irrelevant), I can only think that somehow the PomPom ranking system gives big bonus points if a coach of another sport is a BoogerEater.
Sky High King - January 3, 2012
Okay...we'll use Sagarin's predictor # instead
In which Wisconsin is #2.
rupertj - January 3, 2012
Some of you might find this interesting
John Raymon really didn’t care for Coach K
SomeJerkPoster - January 3, 2012
oop shit, just saw this
I WILL LOOK BEFORE LINKING
PSD - January 3, 2012
Not a popular guy on the team. I do not miss him.
One_ill_KevinJ - January 3, 2012
I love how it makes it seem like he just suddenly had a kid
Don’t those things normally take about 9 months to show up?
rupertj - January 3, 2012
Maybe he just found out he was the father?
SomeJerkPoster - January 3, 2012
John, you ARE the father!
therealCatnuts - January 3, 2012
Huh, his hand-fighting technique looks pretty good there.
SomeJerkPoster - January 3, 2012
You know what, scratch that. I like this one even better
Even if the dude looks nothing like a DL
therealCatnuts - January 3, 2012
That's just wrong
This is correct, however.
The Bird Cult - January 3, 2012
He's coming back?
tyger1147 - January 3, 2012
As far as Cody Sokol goes, I am totally on the bench Vandenberg bandwagon.
Vandenberg is a good backup, but I don’t think he has the stones to win road games as a starter consistently in the B1G. If anything comes from Sokol his first year, I hope he pushes Vandenberg to step up statistically and mentally.
kEvanson - January 3, 2012
or, better yet
Ruddock outperforms both and is 4 year starter.
Sky High King - January 3, 2012
Statistics are a funny thing
if you look at Vandenberg’s numbers this year they are very, very ,very similar to those of Aaron Murray from Georgia. And Murray was second team All-SEC. But here is the rub, no one thinks that Vandenberg’s year was anything like Murrary’s.
In fact, I expect Ferentz to look at anyone who suggests there should be an open competition as though they are INSANE. Because, on paper, Vandenberg had a better junior year — despite Iowa being last in rushing in the Big Ten — than did Stanzi and had a slightly better year than Tate did in his sophomore or senior year (Tate’s junior year being much better statistically) and a similar year to a guy who was second team All-SEC. Again, this is all on paper.
StoopsMyAss - January 3, 2012
And you can argue that if we'd played better on defense in the ISU and MN games we wouldn't be having this discussion at all
And we probably would’ve played a bowl opponent we matched up better with at 9-3 vs. 7-5.
The Bird Cult - January 3, 2012
I can't yet support benching Vandy.
He’s played quite well in a few games. That’s something we couldn’t say about Jake C.
However, we definitely need to give some backup minutes to Rudock next year. I don’t want to go into 2013 with a redshirt soph who has NEVER seen the college field. (Thinks about Stanzi’s first few games in 2008, considers retracting my statement. Decides not to.)
WaterlooChazz - January 3, 2012
Regardless of who the starting QB is next year
you’re right that it is imperative that the backup get some actual, quality in-game experience, whether that be Rudock or Sokol (assuming VDB’s the starter). It has been rather mind-boggling for the past few years KF’s complete unwillingness to sub out the QB (and starting RB) in games where the outcome is no longer in doubt, until very, very late in the 4th quarter where the backups are lucky to get an entire 4-down series in before time expires.
HoyaGoon - January 4, 2012
some mid-afternoon linkage
Hawkeye football players,
Quanzell Lambert to decide Thursday
Greg Garmon will announce his decision tonight
John Raymon hated coach Kaz
PSD - January 3, 2012
here is the link to that all-star game Garmon is playing in
supposed to announce around halftime, I think.
you need a password, it is: gobears
link to justintv
PSD - January 3, 2012
others players of note:
PSD - January 3, 2012
Strike up your latest Gone Baby Gone
Mods over on Hawkeye Report saying McCall is a goner.
Nickhawk08 - January 3, 2012
Just saw this myself
Damn it, damn it, damn it.
hkobb7 - January 3, 2012
Well, that was quick
I guess I’m always a little wary of guys that “switch” their school choice after committing somewhere else for anything other than a coaching change. I’m not motivated enough to see if that actually bears out more often than other recruits, but maybe that’s in play here.
therealCatnuts - January 3, 2012
I think this is a bit specious
and searching for justification after the fact with McCall.
HoyaGoon - January 4, 2012
Well, we get very few inputs on these young guys.
Maybe it’s not a correct assimilation, but in my mind it seems to make sense.
therealCatnuts - January 4, 2012
Golf clap, KF. Golf clap.
Well played.
Nyghtewynd - January 3, 2012
Well I don't care for this one bit
Reiff entering draft, according the NYT. Can’t say I blame him, though.
SomeJerkPoster - January 3, 2012
He’s 23. He needs to get started.
txhawkeye - January 3, 2012
He's also unlikely to get a better grade than he'll get this year.
The Mexican't - January 3, 2012
Don't blame him. You just can't walk away from the money
And he’s 23… er, that’s already been said :)
The Bird Cult - January 3, 2012
For him it's the absolute right decisions. Can't blame him a bit.
Nyghtewynd - January 3, 2012
Greg Garmon is a Hawkeye.
Per Twitter.
Bucketochicken - January 3, 2012
Skip the hoppyball
It is RASSLIN’ SEASON. Now with more intensity.
kurthy - January 3, 2012 via mobile
Nitpicking.....
“They also were just the second unranked team to beat the Badgers at the Kohl Center while Bo Ryan has been coach.”
You forgot to add Big Ten between unranked and team. Some unranked non-Big Ten teams have knocked off Wisconsin in Madison under Bo…..not many, but just correcting.
/nitpick over
The Barea Bunch - January 4, 2012
Nitpick?
When talking about Bucky it’s a nosepick.
I have to call him Booger Bielema from now on.
rockyh - January 4, 2012
MS paint
rockyh - January 4, 2012
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Black Heart Gold Pants to post a comment.