What a 10 year run for Phil Parker when it comes to giving up less than 20 points/game (no other program comes close)
- Thread starter Franisdaman
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Really good stuff here.
Full text of the tweet:
Camp tour thoughts on Iowa Hawkeye Football
Start with the QB… Gronowski is clearly the most talented QB they’ve had. Watching him move around as an athlete is where he was most impressive to me. I think that mobility will pair really well with Lester’s “Shanahan” style run system. He throws a nice ball as well, but feels more like a JT Barrett comp from my playing days. JT was never the most talented thrower but would get you 5 when you needed 4. He was a playmaker and leader. That’s the role I see Gronowski playing.
Let’s talk OL. Gennings Dunker was the most impressive OL I’ve seen so far (though I could have been hypnotized by his fiery red and well groomed mullet). Him and Logan Jones are all conference players if not all American. All in all it looked like an Iowa OL. Why does that matter? Look at the schedule and the teams they play at home. I speak from experience… it’s a tough place to win on the road. Why? When my team lost in 2016, it was bc Iowa set the terms of play. The OL allowed them to get a consistent 4-5 yards on the grown. They ran off the entire play clock. And before we knew it, it was the 3rdQ and we were in a dog fight. The Iowa OL will have the chance to dictate the terms of play once again, especially when you combine Gronowski ability to keep it in read option situations when the DL over pursues.
I don’t think they have a talent like Kaleb Johnson at RB, but they have a good mixed bag of complimentary athletes. In one practice and with guys resting/ working through small injuries it’s hard to project who will breakout, but there was a heavy rotation of young RBs that really flashed- McNeil and Xavier Williams come to mind.
I do believe Ostrenga has breakout potential. Multi sport athlete in highschool and a natural mover. *movement traits* (bc I know some people will take this and misquote me) movement traits similar to Laporta. Good COD and feel of leverage and space.
WR room looked capable. Wouldn’t say dominant or explosive, but capable of being better than a they’ve been in the past. I like freshmen KJ Parker, but unsure of the full impact he can make as a fresh.
Defense can be summarized by two words: Phil Parker. When you watch them, it’s almost deceiving- how can they be so good? The play true team defense. Everyone is crystal clear on their role and they play within a system. It’s 11 guys on a string, functioning as one unit. This leave no weak points.
That being said they have some ball players. Aaron graves is a stud and got married over the summer (as did C Logan Jones). Wish we got a live count on total beef consumed between their 2 weddings.
LB room has new faces but all upper class man. Why that matters? The system. Older guys that know the system just her to do their jobs, read their keys, and tackle when the opportunity comes. They never looked out of place during team periods when we were there.
Secondary is the same story. It’s a quarters based system. Means safeties will be involved in the run game, maintaining leverage and alignment matters, communication… do all those things and it becomes really hard to beat. Much different from a hyper aggressive, press man defense that will have games where opponents feel hopeless bc of the pressure. This is a fundamentally sound, team, trust, and unit based defense. I’d love to see them force more turnovers this year.
Finally, Kirk Ferentz deserves all the praise in the world. He’s a leader in every sense of the word. The last of a dying breed. He loves coaching, loves Iowa, loves his players and staff. He will break the record for career wins by a B1G coach early this fall, and deserves immense praise and recognition for his consistency and excellence over the years (even though he’s the type of guy that never seeks praise). I love calling Iowa games because it means our crew gets to spend time with Coach Ferentz. Says a lot that I’m sure we all agree the floor is a “really good season” this yr. The ceiling? TBD
Full text of the tweet:
Camp tour thoughts on Iowa Hawkeye Football
Start with the QB… Gronowski is clearly the most talented QB they’ve had. Watching him move around as an athlete is where he was most impressive to me. I think that mobility will pair really well with Lester’s “Shanahan” style run system. He throws a nice ball as well, but feels more like a JT Barrett comp from my playing days. JT was never the most talented thrower but would get you 5 when you needed 4. He was a playmaker and leader. That’s the role I see Gronowski playing.
Let’s talk OL. Gennings Dunker was the most impressive OL I’ve seen so far (though I could have been hypnotized by his fiery red and well groomed mullet). Him and Logan Jones are all conference players if not all American. All in all it looked like an Iowa OL. Why does that matter? Look at the schedule and the teams they play at home. I speak from experience… it’s a tough place to win on the road. Why? When my team lost in 2016, it was bc Iowa set the terms of play. The OL allowed them to get a consistent 4-5 yards on the grown. They ran off the entire play clock. And before we knew it, it was the 3rdQ and we were in a dog fight. The Iowa OL will have the chance to dictate the terms of play once again, especially when you combine Gronowski ability to keep it in read option situations when the DL over pursues.
I don’t think they have a talent like Kaleb Johnson at RB, but they have a good mixed bag of complimentary athletes. In one practice and with guys resting/ working through small injuries it’s hard to project who will breakout, but there was a heavy rotation of young RBs that really flashed- McNeil and Xavier Williams come to mind.
I do believe Ostrenga has breakout potential. Multi sport athlete in highschool and a natural mover. *movement traits* (bc I know some people will take this and misquote me) movement traits similar to Laporta. Good COD and feel of leverage and space.
WR room looked capable. Wouldn’t say dominant or explosive, but capable of being better than a they’ve been in the past. I like freshmen KJ Parker, but unsure of the full impact he can make as a fresh.
Defense can be summarized by two words: Phil Parker. When you watch them, it’s almost deceiving- how can they be so good? The play true team defense. Everyone is crystal clear on their role and they play within a system. It’s 11 guys on a string, functioning as one unit. This leave no weak points.
That being said they have some ball players. Aaron graves is a stud and got married over the summer (as did C Logan Jones). Wish we got a live count on total beef consumed between their 2 weddings.
LB room has new faces but all upper class man. Why that matters? The system. Older guys that know the system just her to do their jobs, read their keys, and tackle when the opportunity comes. They never looked out of place during team periods when we were there.
Secondary is the same story. It’s a quarters based system. Means safeties will be involved in the run game, maintaining leverage and alignment matters, communication… do all those things and it becomes really hard to beat. Much different from a hyper aggressive, press man defense that will have games where opponents feel hopeless bc of the pressure. This is a fundamentally sound, team, trust, and unit based defense. I’d love to see them force more turnovers this year.
Finally, Kirk Ferentz deserves all the praise in the world. He’s a leader in every sense of the word. The last of a dying breed. He loves coaching, loves Iowa, loves his players and staff. He will break the record for career wins by a B1G coach early this fall, and deserves immense praise and recognition for his consistency and excellence over the years (even though he’s the type of guy that never seeks praise). I love calling Iowa games because it means our crew gets to spend time with Coach Ferentz. Says a lot that I’m sure we all agree the floor is a “really good season” this yr. The ceiling? TBD
@eyesofhawk with just a decent offense we should have conference title! It's OK though it not anyone's fault that BF and ultimately KF sucked... just part of the game, right?
That narrative was thoroughly discredited on Beacon.
And no need for the mischaracterization of my sentiments
I know; 7 points vs Penn State was given up by Special Teams. Not sure if that gets officially backed out or not.
Points Iowa has given up in 2025:
I....7 vs Albany
16 vs Clown U
....7 vs UMass
28 vs Rutgers
20 vs Indiana
.....0 vs Wisconsin
24 vs Penn State
....................................................
102 total points given up
14.57 pts/game given up
Points Iowa has given up in 2025:
I....7 vs Albany
16 vs Clown U
....7 vs UMass
28 vs Rutgers
20 vs Indiana
.....0 vs Wisconsin
24 vs Penn State
....................................................
102 total points given up
14.57 pts/game given up
A few others have pointed this out, but in spite of the score given up, Iowa's defense started turning the corner in the Rutgers game.
That's where Phil realized he was gonna need to blitz more, and where several players started to understand (maybe not necessarily settle into yet) their roles, and of course where we got our first turnover.
Thank goodness Kirk and Phil have stuck together. Early on I was not sure about the defense but it has continued to get better. Was impressed by X Saturday. Senior year for him-its time!
And this is why KF has all those wins, plain and simple: defense. Give him credit for hiring Norm Parker and then Phil Parker. He got that right. And he let them do it their way. Hiring those DCs and leaving them alone is the best thing KF has done at Iowa. And without the Parkers, even Iowa would have fired KF long ago.
And not only that, but the defense gets saddled with points that weren't their fault. If it weren't for the inept Iowa offense putting the D in so many horrible situations, the points "allowed" would be even better, much better. Just look at recent history, let alone the last 20 years or so. An INT gave Indiana 7 points before the game was 2 minutes old. Against PSU, the same damn thing. And to top it off, the defense gets saddled with 7 more points when PSU blocks an insane 66-yard FG attempt and returns it for a TD. That's 21 points in just two games this season, none of which were the fault of the defense.
If they ever build a statue of KF, Norm and Phil Parker should be out front with KF clutching their coattails.
Full disclosure: I've been saying for the past few years that Phil needed to blitz a helluva lot more. You could look it up. And you're welcome.
And now that he is blitzing, it's been so much more fun to watch this defense. The aggression is awesome. The 4th down stuffs have been fabulous. The pressure on the QBs makes all the difference in the world.
No other program plays this soft a schedule and gets to play 3rd team qbs over and over. Those 0-35 game and the 3-42 Michigan game and OhioSt put up 1/2 a hundred are more of a indication of big time or fortunate. Plus Vol frosh in 1st start looking like Lamar Jackson wasn't a coaching clinic by any means.
Complimentary football baby KF style, run clock, play a deep deep zone, how the other teams scrub qb screws up. Iowa football baby. Time to beat someone good, not luck out in ugly home games vs coachless, 3rd team qbs.
Imagine a more difficult schedule. Iowa not good with teams with a pulse. Having a ****** O is on the coaching.imagine if we had an "average" offense during those 5 years
Stay mad that Iowa is playing better each week.
D
Did Phil actually give that up? They got 14 pts off the blocked field goal and a 35 yard drive which took 10 plays because of a pick.why is this thread at the top this morning fresh off of giving up 24 at home to psu with a first time freshman starting qb?
phil has room to improve
Big Ten West…
No disrespect. But any time stats like this are flashed around, I factor in all the years in the Big Ten West.
No disrespect. But any time stats like this are flashed around, I factor in all the years in the Big Ten West.
In Phil we trust.
Iowa gives up just 3 points today vs Minnesota, scoring 41.
Incredible.
Iowa gives up just 3 points today vs Minnesota, scoring 41.
Incredible.
I will NEVER understand the flak Kirk gets for the money. That makes absolutely ZERO sense. Just say plainly "I think college football coaches make too much money". Clearly the $$ has nothing to do with critiquing the guy. He's barely in the middle of the pack and makes way less then many of his peers both in and out of the conference, almost all of which don't even have half his tenure or winning seasons. Their ALL grossly overpaid. Like it or don't it has nothing to with our coach.
Did anyone else in the big ten west accomplish such a feat?
Of course they did, they all ended up in the top 15 of wins in CFB during that time because the B1G West was so bad they all won games and didn’t give up points…… sarcasm in full effect
Phil has done a great job with this group. The improvement in the secondary has been impressive.
True and the players maturing. We do have a history here being critical of young players who later become very solid starters. These DB's no doubt as well as the offensive line. Remember how hard posters came after Logan Jones previously. Now considered by some to be the BEST center in college football. Remember the critical comments about Riley Moss? How did that turn out? Now a real player in the league. Many of these players were not the 4 or 5 stars other teams get they take time to develop, and this staff does an excellent job of helping these young men become their best selves.
Great point KC. We acknowledge ourselves as a developmental program but then when we have new Dbacks or linebackers like this year if they’re not Larry Station from day 1 they get crucified on here. We’ve lost 2 games giving up 20 and 16 pts. Along with the O giving very little help in those games. Lots of new names and faces out there this year. And the improvement has been phenomenal.
Absolutely. Very excited for the future growth of Buffington, Weisskof, and Ries. Making plays in specials and in limited PT at LB.
Phil Parker should have far more than a single Broyles Award. He’s the best defensive coordinator in college football and has been for a long time. A strong argument could probably be made he’s the best ever at it in major college football.
Phil Parker is not a Head Coach, but he's one of the greatest Iowa coaches of all time.
Fun fact, excluding the Rutgers game, they’ve only given up 3 TD’s that didn’t start in Iowa territory.
Albany, Indiana’s last TD and PSU’s TD drive to start the second half.
Albany, Indiana’s last TD and PSU’s TD drive to start the second half.
And that 9 year stat would not have been possible had Iowa been slinging the ball around on offense.
Fans always want to separate the 3 phases. Iowa just doesn't play that way.
Fans want to blame the O and give all the credit to the D. For many of these same fans, the only thing that will entertain them is the ball getting slung around. Of course, they fail to realize that it surely would result in a less consistent D.
It's a team game, folks. Iowa's wins are team wins. Iowa's losses are team losses
Yes, exactly. The wins and losses were acheived by the team. Not by what people have tried to make 3 separate phases, for the purpose of "context"
Minnesota didn't get its first 1st down of the game until 10:50 left in the 2nd quarter (Iowa was up 31-0 at the time).
Are we in for a very special month of November?
You just don't want anyone specifically to take the blame for losing games. Go watch the 2022 Illinois game and tell me that loss was on all 3 phases equally because they're part of the team.................
P.S. let's also go ahead and get this out of the way so we can put in writing that you are just talking out of your a**.
When we say context matters, and you say it doesn't, answer this question:
A man shoots another man and kills him. Should he be arrested for murder?
Simple yes or no, because context doesn't matter..................