If Kirk Ferentz prefers to keep his staffing plans to himself and make his moves deliberately you can understand why. In the cutthroat world of college football recruitment – not of players but of coaches – tipping your hand can compromise getting your guy. Negotiations have to be handled with subtlety and secrecy so as to not embarrass or be embarrassed should they go awry. But there appears to be a more pragmatic reason why Ferentz has not rushed to fill his defensive coordinator and defensive line coach openings. College football has been busy finishing up its season – not bowl season mind you, but the season of coaching changes – and, no coaching change appears to have more potential impact on Iowa than the one recently completed in Happy Valley.
Current New England Patriots offensive coordinator, Bill O’Brien, was recently announced the new head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions. While nearly every former Penn State player had endorsed interim coach and defensive coordinator Tom Bradley, the Penn State leadership realized – smartly – that the school needed a fresh start and by hiring O’Brien they have brought onboard a coach who had absolutely no ties to Penn State. He also had no ties to Tom Bradley, and thus all indications are that Tom Bradley will not be retained by O’Brien. Here at BHGP there has been considerable conjecture as to whether Kirk Ferentz would (or should) hire Bradley to take over for Norm Parker were he not to be named head coach at Penn State. Well he wasn’t named.
Tom Bradley is an accomplished and compelling candidate for the Iowa defensive coordinator job. But Tom Bradley is not coming here. I cannot imagine Kirk Ferentz hiring a guy he’s never worked with, a guy he’s never seen in action behind the scenes, and a guy coming directly off one of the most bizarre interim coaching experience in the history of college football. Not to mention that Bradley is likely looking at a head coaching position as his inevitable next move. So hiring Bradley does not create comfort in continuity. The next few seasons are too important to spin the big prize wheel. Ferentz has totally lost all the momentum from the 2009 season and needs a seamless transition. I believe Phil Parker will be the next DC. However, the impact of Penn State’s hiring of Bill O’Brien may nevertheless impact how Ferentz organizes the Iowa coaching staff for the 2012 season.
Once O’Brien was rumored to Penn State the Boston press began speculating on who might replace him with the Patriots. Among the many names discussed the one that caught the attention of Iowa fans was Brian Ferentz. To be sure, many of the more rational and seasoned observers believed Ferentz to be, at 28 years old, too young and in the end Belichick might have agreed as he’s decided to bring back Josh McDaniels. I have no idea what impact Belichick’s decision might have on young Ferentz’s role with New England, but I do think it makes for a natural pause, a moment of reflection for him.
Marc Morehouse wrote about the possibility of Brian Ferentz joining his dad very early on and it is a very worthwhile read, if not for any other reason than this one, to mull over this quote about Ferentz the younger:
And Brian said this to Gazette sports columnist Mike Hlas this fall (Hlog link): "I get to do a lot of great things, be in the big arenas," Ferentz said before the Iowa team his father coaches defeated Indiana at Kinnick Stadium, 45-24. "But I’ll be chasing the feeling I had here the rest of my life."
If you find yourself asking how would NFL offensive coach Brian Ferentz fit on the Iowa staff, a staff that has lost two defensive coaches and not a single offensive coach you would not be alone. Moreover, you may find yourself asking, "how would he fit onto a staff that has not seen a coach fired (to my knowledge) in Kirk Ferentz’s tenure?" There is a simple answer to that.
To make room for Brian Ferentz all Kirk Ferentz would need to do is shuffle the coaching deck.
The Phil Parker Scenario:
· Phil Parker is hired to replace Norm Parker as the new defensive coordinator. In doing so, he retains responsibility of coaching the DBs (just as Norm coached the LBs).
· Eric Johnson who is currently coaching the TEs returns to coaching LBs, in effect replacing the loss of Norm. Remember, EJ coached the LBs in 2008 and 2009.
· Brian Ferentz is hired to coach the TEs, replacing EJ and taking on the same role he had with the New England Patriots. But, one would hope, this hire would mark the beginning of Kirk Ferentz's upgrading of the offense by making for an expanded role for Brian to help with the offensive play-calling.
· The defensive line opening would be unaffected in this scenario.
Clearly, if Kirk Ferentz has his eyes set on a different man for defensive coordinator gig then the scenario above may become a bit more muddled. All this assumes too that Kirk would want to work with his son in the first place and were this to happen Ken O'Keefe might not take warmly to it and such a move could generate tension on the staff, something any good head coach would want to avoid.
The more fundamental question though, that many of you might be asking is, "why would a guy destined to be an NFL Coordinator make a blatantly nepotistic move that could taint his resume by coaching with his dad at the college level? It’s a good question. And it is one I hope he’s asked when he’s introduced here in the next week or so.
0 recs | 64 comments
I really, really
hope that this doesn’t come to pass.
HoyaGoon - January 9, 2012
Actually
It may not be such a bad thing. There’s no doubt Phil Parker is an amazing DB coach, and is perfectly capable of defensive scheming. Furthermore if you address the differences in LB play in 08-09 versus 10-11, and the TE play in the same respective years, one could make the determination that EJ belongs a the LB coaching position. Also, given the TE play in Foxboro, Ferentz the younger may be quite a grab if he’s willing. The operative phrase there being “if he’s willing”. He already has a promising job in the NFL, in which he’s doing amazing, so it would only come down to the loyalty of a Hawkeye. All of this could happen, and it sounds better than you think.
RandomHero - January 9, 2012
Pats position coach to college position coach
at the same position? Yeah, I don’t see it, even if he gets some playcalling responsibility (there would be no title there, given Kirk’s distaste for such things). Reese retiring, producing an OL opening, as has previously been discussed, is the only scenario I see with Brian and KOK both here.
nhradar - January 9, 2012
This scenario lands
an up and coming coach in the NFL as a position coach at Iowa. I don’t understand why this is such a terrible thing.
SaturdayMorningKegStanzis - January 9, 2012
Does Grownkowski have any eligibility left?
txhawkeye - January 9, 2012
Ooh – butchered the spelling – Gronkowski. The extra “w” was inadvertent.
txhawkeye - January 9, 2012
Largely because I'm not convinced that Brian Ferentz is effective as a coach
a LOT of people have looked good coaching various aspects of the Pats offense over the past decade only to go to complete shit once they landed anywhere else. Plus, I’m generally uncomfortable with the nepotism thing. I’d like to see Brian do well somewhere else before he’s brought back to a position that will be impossible to remove him from without axing Kirk.
HoyaGoon - January 9, 2012
Yes. The possible negatives outweigh the possible positives IMO
therealCatnuts - January 9, 2012
You guys need to stop agreeing. It's making my head hurt.
tyger1147 - January 9, 2012
I know, right?
therealCatnuts - January 10, 2012
The Patriots had a steady stream of high draft pick TE busts before Ferentz
It has been clear that Belichick loves the flexibility stud TEs can bring to an offensive scheme (and their usefulness in all phases of special teams), but he never made it work before Ferentz. I think the kid can coach.
Belichick became Belichick because he was a coach’s son. No reason to think Ferentz doesn’t know his stuff cold.
Notclevr - January 10, 2012
I'm of the opinion that maybe Belichick is Belichick because of Brady
All of the NE assistant coaches (especially on offense) that have flamed out over the last decade seem to support that as well. And I’m definitely of the opinion that Gronk and Hernandez made Ferentz look good much more than the other way around. Talent matters much, much more than coaching, even in such a coach-heavy league as the NFL. It’s why you won’t see Gruden or Cowher go anywhere that doesn’t have a good QB, they’re smart.
therealCatnuts - January 10, 2012
Brady is part of it, sure
but when Brady went down to injury in 2008 the team still did well. Also, keep in mind that Bledsoe was no slouch, so he should get some credit for drafting and keeping Brady.
If nothing else, what Belichick seems to do is properly utilize the talent he has and if something isn’t working, he’ll revamp it until it does.
That being said, with Brian growing up in the KF household and now learning under Belichick, well, I doubt you’ll be able to get him to acknowledge that water is wet if (when) he becomes a head coach.
chitownhawkeye - January 10, 2012
This, 100% THIS
HoyaGoon - January 10, 2012
Hiring his son sounds great from an outside point of view.
However, like SMA said, I believe there would be too much animosity between KOK and Ferentz. The only way I see this happening is if Kirk plans on grooming Brian to take over the OC position after KOK retires/finds a head coaching job. Just my 2 cents.
Dip-Shit - January 9, 2012
This is everyone's 2-cents ultimately
I’m not ruling it out until the staff is set. There may not be another window for this father / son moment every again. The Ferentz’s are not cravenly ambitious, they believe in family.
StoopsMyAss - January 9, 2012
agree with the family aspect
Thats one thing that makes me think you might be right and he does come here, to be back with the rest of the Ferentz family
Bust my McNuttz - January 9, 2012
Every Ferentz kid, every kid...has attended Iowa
that is not true of many coach’s kids.
StoopsMyAss - January 9, 2012
cough... daughter... cough cough... Michigan
Wait, did she undergrad at Iowa?
However, the point wasn’t lost on me, and you’re right.
Eyeheartfreedumb - January 9, 2012
Law school at Iowa
geraldfleck - January 9, 2012
I would see it more probable that Brian Ferentz gets a promotion at New England
Which sets him up to take over as OC for KOK in a few years once the torches and pitchforks crowd finally has their way. That seems a more likely Ferentz contingency plan.
YouCanPutYourEddsInIt - January 9, 2012
Wouldn't want to be the OC there just after
Brady retires…
GuttedSnowBird - January 9, 2012
What about Soup?
Seems like he would have a better claim to OC than Brian. Or is he not going to be around long enough?
Norm Parker's Amputated Toes - January 9, 2012
I see McDaniels only being at the pats for another 2-3 years
to reestablish himself before he goes off to another head coaching job somewhere. I’m sure Belichick probably figures this and B. Ferentz should figure this. Meaning, in 2-3 years the OC position would be open again, and Ferentz would be that much older and maybe Belichick will feel he is ready to take on that role or a scaled back version at that point.
Bust my McNuttz - January 9, 2012
Damn, I was having fun dreaming
but this post brought to my attention just how much speculation is involved in this whole thing. Now my head hurts.
Eyeheartfreedumb - January 9, 2012
Had Ferentz ever worked with Norm before making him a building block of his coaching tenure at Iowa?
I really don’t know, but suspect that he hadn’t. So bringing in an outsider (Bradley) wouldn’t be TOTALLY crazy. Especially if that outsider had incredible coaching acumen and accolades.
YouCanPutYourEddsInIt - January 9, 2012
That was when KF was putting together his first staff. He did a lot of things then that he wouldn't do now (because he doesn't have to).
Eyeheartfreedumb - January 9, 2012
Bradley would bring baggage.
Who’s to say he won’t be in court very, very soon? And would we want to be known as the school who hired one of the suspected co-conspirators in the child raping scandal? Bradley was working out at the facilities shortly before Sandusky was arrested, and we are fools to think his name has not come up in ANY way…..and not a positive one. I think it’s too risky, and Ferentz is not one to incite risks.
Brian Ferentz, in my know-nothing opinion, will be a candidate for the HC job at Iowa in 10 years. Following the path needed to be taken, and would almost be a lock for the job if available.
hawkinsandmelrose - January 9, 2012
Tom Bradley has never been suspected of being a co-conspirator of anything; suspicion hasn’t even been implied. Considering how intensely this was scoured by the grand jury and media, I’d say it lends some level of comfort.
Kevin Powers - January 9, 2012
Call me crazy
But the fact that the words comfort, grand jury, co-conspirator, and suspected in the same discussion as a possible coach are less than….comforting.
And if there was so much media scrutiny, which you seem to place a lot of trust in, why is it that we found out about the RAPING OF CHILDREN ON PENN STATE’S CAMPUS BY JERRY SANDUSKY almost 10 years after there was a grand jury indictment? How can you reconcile the two?
For the record, I don’t want this to highjack the thread, but just think that any PSU people who use the words media scrutiny and scour when speaking of an almost 10 year old indictment are full of shit.
hawkinsandmelrose - January 10, 2012
Thanks for the kind words, I guess.
Not entirely important, but I’m not sure where you’re getting that decade number. GJ was in 2008.
And again:
Bradley has never been suspected of being a co-conspirator. Not by the media, not by the grand jury, and not by the new crop of PSU officials or new leadership that named him interim head coach. That’s apparently not good enough for you, either on principal or because you have unpublished information and a detailed understanding of the case (as evidence by your attention to detail above); you’re more than entitled to that.
My point was about your completely baseless claim about Bradley, not an effort to contest the “RAPING OF CHILDREN,” of which I’m well aware. Bradley has been interviewed by dozens of people in law enforcement and the media, you’re the only one to claim he’s a co-conspirator.
Argue that Penn State football should get the death penalty — an argument that isn’t entirely without merit, even if I disagree with it — or even that the college should be burned to the ground. But don’t accuse Bradley of conspiring to “RAPE CHILDREN” without basis. He deserves fair treatment, and you would expect the same if you were in his shoes.
Kevin Powers - January 12, 2012
Actually KF has become rather familiar to juggling football and court, and I don't think THAT would be the hangup for him.
/self-troll
//self-hate
///self-love
////nap
Eyeheartfreedumb - January 9, 2012
oops
gramatical error
/rinsewashrepeat
Eyeheartfreedumb - January 9, 2012
just so we're clear
the washing comes after the self loving, right?
sailorjerry - January 9, 2012
the love in question would take the place of "rinse" in this combination
though just so we’re clear, it’s hypothetical, internet self-love
which is nothing like the real thing
I think
Eyeheartfreedumb - January 9, 2012
There was a quote years ago when Brian was trying to catch on in the NFL.
Something to the effect that both he and his father wanted Brian to make his own way out from beneath his father’s shadow. In fact, that’s what every father should want for his son. (I don’t know, I have two girls.)
So I don’t see this happening. Nine years from now, perhaps. Hopefully, Brian keeps his same upwards career arc as I’d love for him to replace his father when the elder retires.
Lukateake - January 9, 2012
I wouldn't be suprised to see him come back to Iowa to coach after his father retired
but I honestly can’t see him doing that now. He has a good thing going right now in NE with a very good coach and a very bright future. He’s too smart to be risking that on a move that could be construed as nepotism and set his career back.
ClaybornSmash - January 9, 2012
I am late to the party but this is right
KF has pretty much said he wouldn’t want Brian working for him. He did joke that maybe he could work for Brian someday.
I could see Brian Ferentz at Iowa someday when KF is retired, having amassed experience under many other coaches.
H I McDonnough - January 10, 2012
It's worked for
chitownhawkeye - January 10, 2012
Sooo I might get blasted for this...cause I can't give the source.....
But Phil Parker will not get the spot.
David Starbuck Petersen - January 9, 2012
BLASTED.
Name names, DeepThroat.
/ not sexual
// unless my wife is reading BHGP
/// which she’s not
Lukateake - January 9, 2012
I can say the credibility of the source could be debatable. He isn't part of the coaching staff but is associated with the University.
He told an alumni (alum?) which led to me knowing, given my relationship with said alumni. The opinion expressed was that the information was handed to him via the coaching staff directly. So I have like a 2nd account of it (3rd really)? So take it for what it is worth. I trust the person who told the alumni, I don’t know him very well, I am not sure exactly what he does that would allow him to know this information. I trust the alumni who told me. Take it for what it is worth.
David Starbuck Petersen - January 9, 2012
Ambiguous pronouns make me sad face.
Lukateake - January 9, 2012
I don't want to say anything to troubling...
but i was told 3rd hand information that would lead someone to believe that KF is not at all happy with his coaches, that he feels some of them are unable to pull their weight, however he has a hard time dealing with it because some of them have become rooted in the area now.
Beyond that he is dissatisfied with members of the staffs performance, i can’t give you any particulars.
jakeic - January 10, 2012
If this is true then he is a far worse leader than I could ever imagine
StoopsMyAss - January 10, 2012
Don't worry. It's not true.
I have less inside info than anyone but that scenario is ridiculous.
therealCatnuts - January 10, 2012
groan
therealCatnuts - January 9, 2012
Why?
He gave plenty of reason for one not to believe him. It’s not like he’s saying, “Believe me or your stupid.” if this is how anonymous stuff is learned, it would be a vastly more civil place.
tyger1147 - January 9, 2012
Unfounded rumors are the death of reason and knowledge
Not the fostering of it
therealCatnuts - January 10, 2012
WAIT
are “jakeic” and “David Starbuck Petersen” the same person? If so, pick one name and stick with it
HoyaGoon - January 10, 2012
Stop right there.
Ashton Kutcher is NOT an alum, and his camera commercial did NOT tell you who the next DC at Iowa would be.
Eyeheartfreedumb - January 9, 2012
orly?
sailorjerry - January 9, 2012
I believe the correct singular form is "alumnus"
Alumni is the plural. I’ve never understood all the trinkets with “name of school Alumni”.
You wouldn’t wear a hat that said “Iowa Graduates”.
Chief Okemos - January 10, 2012
I heard the next week or so could get interesting
and that Ferentz will be at that coaches meeting. Bring out the popcorn.
Captain n Diet Coker - January 9, 2012
Well, as long as it's interesting.
Bucketochicken - January 9, 2012
It’s DJK!!!!! He’s fuckin’ hiring DJK!!!!! WOOOOOO!!!! Prodigal son, and shit.
txhawkeye - January 9, 2012
Nope - it's Benny Sapp.
YouCanPutYourEddsInIt - January 9, 2012
Nope
Chuck Testa.
(or Ryan Loftin)
SomeJerkPoster - January 9, 2012
Cedric Everson?
Too far?
Brock8144 - January 9, 2012 via mobile
I'm ready for it not to be him, but that doesn't rule out Brian in any way
I think the bold move by Ferentz is to hire his son, assuming he’s interested. I just want someone, anyone, to get in the mix on offense. As for defense, I hope Ferentz chooses wisely, because for a program like ours and a coach like him we need to be strong on defense.
StoopsMyAss - January 9, 2012
Yeah, just waht I've been thinking the past week (and smarter people much longer than that)
But the defense has kept this team relevant. If Ferentz doesn’t hire someone who can keep the defense in the Top-3rd, this team will be below-average B1G team very soon.
tyger1147 - January 9, 2012
Technically, we are now a slightly below average B1G team
only five teams had fewer conference wins that we did and only four had fewer total wins. We lost to one of the worst teams in the conference. In terms of record, we’re nothing special at all. And that record was seriously impacted by not being unable to shut down Minnesota or Iowa State defensively. It’s a lot of pressure for the defense in the Ferentz system, but that is how he plays it. So, yeah, he better hit a grand slam on his DC hire because if he hires the equivalent of KOK as his new defensive leader then it might get ugly real quick.
This is why I am curious to see what he does with the staff in general. If he is, as Mike Hlas has suggested, gearing up for his next big run then he needs to seriously address the offensive mindset of his teams. He needs to seriously look at how special teams are coached. Alabama we are not. They can run a system because they stockpile amazing talent. Iowa does not stockpile talent. So while we need some systematic aspects to what we do, our game day planning needs to vastly improve. Any offense we run has to recognize where among our offensive players are the best and most talented ones and build around them. But that is not close to enough. Scheming is a equalizer but we eschew it. This thing could be—-could be—-slipping away from Ferentz and not because of a dearth of talent. He owns tons more than Rhoads, Fitzgerald, even Boise State might not be able to match our talent poll.
Bottom line, I don’t see offensive evolution with him and I see more and more pressure placed on our defense to keep us in games. So, yeah, these hires are critical.
StoopsMyAss - January 10, 2012
It's telling that the team that might be, over the past decade, the most focused on a run game
has in the last two years been statistically one of the worst teams in running the football. This year, we were, statistically, THE worst. And that was with two very above average talents in the running game (Coker and Reiff) both of whom could be first round draft choices.
Earth to Kirk, the league has caught up to you. There is a reason why smaller armies have often won wars against larger more technologically superior armies, it’s called scheming.
StoopsMyAss - January 10, 2012
Brian Ferentz
i can’t honestly see him coming back to coach unless it was for a position that he was over qualified for. KF isn’t stupid, he also isn’t unaware of criticism, not that of nepotism (which would exist if the move turned less than stellar), but of the criticism of the program in general and i don’t think he is willing to throw away his job or his son’s future on a job that is side ways at best.
jakeic - January 10, 2012
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