Iowa FB Program

Rifler

All-American
Jan 26, 2011
5,280
6,142
113
I'm not sad...

beating a dead horse wtf GIF


Give it up...
 

BringBackBradBanks

All-Conference
Jul 19, 2022
834
1,846
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Things started on this downward path with the Brian Ferentz fiasco. Iowa football was built on accountability and no excuses and the next man up mentality. Then with Brian we tried to hide him from the media for an entire season and suddenly we are blaming injuries for the offense and using it as an excuse. The rules changed for Brian and Iowa football still hasn’t recovered.
 

Kirbs

Senior
Jan 8, 2023
166
459
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The only concept is scoring more than the opponents
Of course. That’s the bottom line. That said, how many top 25 teams rely on a formula of 1 TD/game (could be from the defense or special teams), some field goals, punts and defensive stops to win? It’s not really viable in today’s game, and the lack of wins against ranked teams is proof, IMO. Today’s game favors the offense.
 

BringBackBradBanks

All-Conference
Jul 19, 2022
834
1,846
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No. You don't get it. The only concept is holding the opponents to even fewer points than Iowa scores which, in today's football and with Iowa's version of "offense," is nearly impossible. And that's the point.
And another concept is recruiting. How can we recruit offensively? Offensive line still produces elite talent and running back still gets good talent because we wan to run the ball. But our quarterback development and recruiting has been a disaster (that’s putting it kindly) since Brian. Our receiving group just doesn’t get the ball for a number of reasons, so why any receiver would come to Iowa is beyond me. And the biggest development is our tight end room is in shambles. Haven’t been getting top recruits there and now we don’t throw them the ball. 🤷‍♂️
 

TampaHawkFan

All-Conference
Aug 6, 2025
633
1,764
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Can't argue anything I read there. 11 straight L's against ranked teams is proof enough that something isn't working anymore, and the days of feeling like Iowa could win an Orange Bowl, or beat an LSU in the Capital One bowl are long in the rear view mirror.

I find myself thinking of the PSU program under Paterno in the later years (minus the Pedo stuff). Their results were dwindling under JP but their program bounced back after Paterno was ejected. I feel it's the same with Iowa. Time for the old man to retire and get some fresh blood in there. No guarantee the next guy is successful of course, but KF's glory days are done. Staying with the status quo is just going to be diminishing returns IMO. There is no fountain of youth coming for him.
 
Nov 29, 2023
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Hardest thing for an older coach that has success to do is to change the way they do things. Saban did it and continued to have success, but most want to double down on what used to work. The game has changed, and your coach refuses to change from what used to work in the past to what it now takes to win. Sure you are good enough to beat average to below average teams like Rutgers, but any team with a pulse that can put up points, you guys are going to be in trouble. Until there is fundamental change in the offense, does not mean you cannot still run the ball, but more creative, throwing screens, getting the WRs involved, nothing is going to change. 27 years of stretch right, stretch left, fake the stretch and bootleg out to the right is only going to work for so long before teams catch up with what your doing.
 
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HMB Trumpet

Senior
Mar 19, 2018
477
598
93
Can't argue anything I read there. 11 straight L's against ranked teams is proof enough that something isn't working anymore, and the days of feeling like Iowa could win an Orange Bowl, or beat an LSU in the Capital One bowl are long in the rear view mirror.

I find myself thinking of the PSU program under Paterno in the later years (minus the Pedo stuff). Their results were dwindling under JP but their program bounced back after Paterno was ejected. I feel it's the same with Iowa. Time for the old man to retire and get some fresh blood in there. No guarantee the next guy is successful of course, but KF's glory days are done. Staying with the status quo is just going to be diminishing returns IMO. There is no fountain of youth coming for him.
Older coaches can still win if they bring in "fresh blood" around them. I was hoping that Lester could be that guy regarding the offense, and he might still be if he can develop the resources he needs more quickly.

Kirk ain't young, so the fresh blood at the top will come in the not-too-distant future, regardless of the circumstances of his departure.
 

hawksfan2025

Junior
Jul 4, 2025
251
293
63
And another concept is recruiting. How can we recruit offensively? Offensive line still produces elite talent and running back still gets good talent because we wan to run the ball. But our quarterback development and recruiting has been a disaster (that’s putting it kindly) since Brian. Our receiving group just doesn’t get the ball for a number of reasons, so why any receiver would come to Iowa is beyond me. And the biggest development is our tight end room is in shambles. Haven’t been getting top recruits there and now we don’t throw them the ball. 🤷‍♂️
Fire Kirk's son in law Tyler Barnes, the head of football recruiting!
 
Sep 19, 2006
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while teams like Indiana.
Oh yeah? Teams like Indiana? There are NO teams like Indiana!

Nothing is different besides we're no longer playing a B10 West schedule.
LBs down right now? Sure. So what.

The one thing that IS true here is where is the stable of TEs ready to go?
 

hawksfan2025

Junior
Jul 4, 2025
251
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Tyler Barnes is Chief of Staff - a support position.

Just sayin'



Read the second line of his bio on that link.
"Barnes retains his focus on recruiting for the football program while also serving as the main contact for Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities between the program and interested parties.
 

Hawk_4shur

All-Conference
Jan 2, 2009
855
2,018
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No, no, no. Kirk Ferentz is infallible. Anyone who doesn't agree just doesn't know football, isn't a real fan, and is dumb. Thankfully, he's also immortal, so we never have to find out what Iowa Football without him will look like.

Read the second line of his bio on that link.
"Barnes retains his focus on recruiting for the football program while also serving as the main contact for Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities between the program and interested parties.
He's is not a recruiter. He's a member of the support staff,
 

JWBCF214

All-American
Sep 12, 2011
5,858
8,864
113
Just face it folks, Iowa will never be a blue blood program in football
Possibly a blue vein once every five or six years maybe
 

Hawkeyes19

Junior
Feb 1, 2002
105
205
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When you know darn well that you are clueless about a certain subject matter, what compells you to share those thoughts with the public?
When was the last time we beat a quality opponent? What about Iowa football gets you excited? Is it this years team running the ball into a loaded box for 3 yards? Is the total lack of a competent passing game? No pass rush, missed tackles and soft zone coverage on defense. Other than 1 KR and 1 PR, special teams has been average at best.
I love KF and am thankful for the long run he's had and ran a clean program. Modern football has left him and his way of playing in the rear view mirror. You can see no wrong with anything Kirk Ferentz. You are either Kirk himself, family or clueless.
 
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