Erik Campbell to Iowa; Will Not Be Bringing Braylon Edwards with Him

by Adam Jacobi on Feb 12, 2008 12:49 PM CST in Iowa Hawkeyes News

With Carl Jackson's retirement to refocus his commitment to acting, Iowa had a spot to fill on the coaching staff. That was addressed quickly, as Kirk Ferentz has hired former Michigan WR coach Erik Campbell. Campbell was a member of the Carr regime before Rodriguez cleaned house; only RB coach Fred Jackson (no relation) remained.

We're incapable of original thought, so we decided to get Brian's take on it:

During the staff turnover period, most Michigan fans wanted to keep Campbell. Michigan's had a steady string of bionic death receivers under him; there was only one year when the position group seemed even close to average: 2005, when Jason Avant and Steve Breaston were the primary threats. Both of those guys have embarked on what should be long NFL careers.

We like bionic death receivers. For as great as the IGWWR model has been for the Hawkeyes, the fact remains that no Ferentz-recruited WR's have been drafted. Meanwhile, Michigan's receivers do this to us:

TOUCHDOWN

There is a chicken-and-egg issue here, as Michigan has recruited very well at the position. Iowa probably won't bring in a Manningham or an Arrington -- both top 100 recruits -- to mold.

And herein lies the rub. Sure, Michigan's guys were going to the NFL, but they were freakish athletes before they even strapped the winged helmets on.

Erik didn't teach this

Meanwhile, looking back at Iowa's recruiting record since 2002, it's not exemplary. Before DJK, the two most highly-rated WR recruits were Trey Stross and, like, Herb Grigsby. Sure, Andy Brodell's turned out all right, but it's not like we beat out USC and Miami for him.

So it's a matter of recruiting and coaching [WOW REALLY???--ed.], and while it's hard to discern what difference there is between Lester Erb and Erik Campbell in that regard, it's easy to see Campbell's had more to work with, and he's gotten a lot more out of it than Erb has.

All in all, you know, we're getting a Michigan coach who isn't Mike Debord, and one with a pretty unblemished track record of great success(!) from his players. Hard to complain about that.

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Comments

recruiting

There's a really good chance that Iowa brings in Keenan Davis out of Cedar Rapids this year. He's a top 100 recruit and already getting looks from all the major programs. He's an Adrian Arrington-quality recruit and Iowa seems to be in the lead with him right now.

by Adam @ Black Heart Gold Pants on Feb 12, 2008 12:53 PM CST reply actions

I would prefer

Keenan Ivory Wayans, as I am a much bigger fan of I'm Gonna Git You Sucka than of Cedar Rapids high school athletics.

by Adam Jacobi on Feb 12, 2008 1:26 PM CST up reply actions

thanks

For not posting a picture of Braylon Edwards. I still get a little queasy when I see him.

by jebushchrist on Feb 12, 2008 12:53 PM CST reply actions

Jebus

That is Edwards. You know the first one where he's got his dick in Johnson's mouth.

by Buddy Light on Feb 12, 2008 1:33 PM CST up reply actions

Yes

Sorry, I was referring to the second one where Braylon made the one-handed catch that makes me sick to this day.

by jebushchrist on Feb 12, 2008 1:38 PM CST up reply actions

Video...

I think I have a copy of the video of Walker making that grab in the corner over Sapp somewhere... I can post it if you'd like.

by Buddy Light on Feb 12, 2008 1:45 PM CST up reply actions

No, that's quite all right.

In fact I will use a gun to kill you if you do.

by Adam Jacobi on Feb 12, 2008 2:33 PM CST up reply actions

Erb?

Are we assuming Erb moves to the running backs spot, or are we just adding coaches for the hell of it? I'm happy either way. We should be hiring as many Michigan offensive coaches as possible. We're the only Lloyd disciples left.

by Patrick Vint on Feb 12, 2008 1:05 PM CST reply actions

Plan B, amigo

He's adding the entire staffs of the Mountain West and Big Sky conferences. We'll be so chock full of coaches that they'll have to push the sideline in a good eight feet. That's one way to beat the spread, no?

by Adam Jacobi on Feb 12, 2008 1:24 PM CST up reply actions

Sigh

Of course, with KOK still in charge, its not like this will have much of an impact.

And as a former CR Wash athlete, I really must take exception to OPS's comment above. We produce great athletes...in swimming. Or at least we used to.

by HoyaGoon on Feb 12, 2008 3:31 PM CST reply actions

I loved swimming in that pool

I always got my best times there. But wow Jim Voss was a dick.

by Bucketochicken on Feb 12, 2008 3:55 PM CST up reply actions

Am I the only one

who sees what's going to happen here? Sure, our WRs have had issues, but we have a great history with TEs.
And then we have Tony Moeaki who got all busted up.
We can rebuilt him.
We can make him faster. Stronger. Able to catch and beat the shit out of corners.
Bionic death tight end program...initiated.

by chitownhawkeye on Feb 12, 2008 5:42 PM CST reply actions