It's Not Plagiarism If You Link To It Is Stuck in the Doldrums

by Hawkeye State on Jul 23, 2009 7:47 AM CDT Comment 18 comments

I Got Nothing. You know it's been a slow news week when the biggest Iowa-related story of the last two days is the ESPN.com BXI blog season preview. Rittenberg believes Iowa will split the road schedule (which, let's face it, is the best possible realistic scenario), Stanzi will be all-conference, and Spievey and Angerer will keep turnovers high. I can't disagree with the first two. However, expecting interception totals to stay up when (1) most conference quarterbacks return with a year of starting experience under their belt, (2) Illinois (and pick-happy Juice Williams) rotate off the schedule, and (3) the Iowa run defense almost has no choice but to regress, meaning fewer passes from opposing offenses, might be expecting too much.

This Man Is a College Football Hall of Famer.

Ron_simmons_medium

And rightfully so. Not only was he a legendary nose tackle at Florida State, but the Nation of Domination pretty much created The Rock. A grateful nation salutes you, Ron Simmons.

Footnotes:

Morehouse completes his "Hall of Ferentz" series by fixing a couple of errors and explaining some selections. He still refuses to include Kevin Kasper, who is the school's all-time leader in single-season and career receptions, yet was inexplicably ranked behind Clinton Solomon and Mo Brown. Otherwise, I can't really argue with anything he said.
An interesting comparison of Hayden Fry's first decade at Iowa with Ferentz's initial 10 seasons. The categories are slightly arbitrary, but the conclusion is basically correct: Aside from the inexplicable losses to Iowa State, Ferentz matches up favorably with The Great Mustachioed One.
In what might be history's greatest mainstream media cripple fight, Gregg Doyel attacks Paul Finebaum over Urban Meyer rumormongering. This is the college football equivalent of Jeffrey Dahmer criticizing John Wayne Gacy for killing all those innocent people.

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Ferentz and Fry

I think it is unfair to compare Ferentz with Fry. The Big 10 now has 11 teams and Iowa was not a 20 some year doormat with few if any expectations when he arrived. Moreover, the landscape of college football is entirely different now.

Make no mistake though, Fry was a genius in every way and what he did for Iowa football, indeed college football, is stunning. I don’t think college football has given him enough credit.

No coach can really match up to Hayden Fry. However, I feel Ferentz has done nothing short of a miraculous job in his time at Iowa. Following a legend is very difficult. Winning consistently at any school is always easier than it appears. Despite huge advantages, Michigan and Notre Dame are proving that right now.

Ferentz reminds me of Tom Osborne in mnay ways. He has employed at Iowa a methodology very comparable to that which Tom Osborne utilized. Osborne was a consistent winner following a legendary coach, but fans often found fault with his approach, style of play, overall achievements, etc.—that is, until he won several National Championships. And while I don’t expect Iowa to play for a National Chamipionship, let alone win one, I think Ferentz will take Iowa to a Rose Bowl before he is done.

I think it is entirely possible that when Ferentz retires or moves on, the same thing will happen at Iowa that happened at Nebraska. A few misfires with coaching hires followed by a back-to-basics mindset that leads to an effective coaching hire. I hope I am wrong and thankfully we are still enjoying the Ferentz era. And as I sit on my couch, I will continue to second guesss things he does or doesn’t do and lament outcomes here and there. But, I wouldn’t trade the guy for any coach out there right now.

"When you don't know that you don't know, it's a lot different than when you do know that you don't know." Bill Parcells

by StoopsMyAss on Jul 23, 2009 10:53 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

Please

Despite all the problems Iowa’s had the past few seasons, the one thing I can rest easily at night knowing is that Ferentz has NEVER played a kid with a long record of criminal misbehavior for the sole purpose of it giving him (KF) a chance to win. The transgressions of the team, while inexcusable, pale in comparison to what Osborne was willing to overlook (and in the case of Lawrence Phillips, justify) in order to win. To compare Ferentz to Osborne is to sully his, Ferentz’s, name.

I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.

by HoyaGoon on Jul 24, 2009 4:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good point...

although I still think the program comparison is apt.

You know, I worked at New York Univ. for many years and I am always struck by how folks who do not work with students in a university setting gauge things. The notion that any university official can have total control over the behavior of an emerging adult is silly (I am not suggesting that you — Hoya — are saying that by the way). This period is marked by experimentation and universities even support that mindset institutionally. They ask students to try new subjects, test themselves with new expression. Certainly, college is not an environment that promotes inflexibility.

On many occasions we admitted students whose H.S. track records were near perfect, but upon arrival at NYU they made dumb, silly decisions. We didn’t just say, “that’s it, you’re out of here!” Because we made a commitment to them as well, to help them grow and learn and become better, smarter citizens of the world.

In any event, I know head coaches can be very self-centered and concern themselves only with their own survival (first) and achievements. But I have seen in Ferentz a coach who is much more holistic, and I think having his own kids in college during his time as a coach has really shaped the man. He knows even the worst kid is still at that crucial stage in their young life where given second or even third and fourth chances can make a huge difference in how that kid turns out.

They are still very malleable at this age. The scars of this period in life are deeper it seems. I support any coach who is trying to help a kid by giving them another crack at it. Although to the outsider, it can really seem as though the coach is merely helping himself.

"When you don't know that you don't know, it's a lot different than when you do know that you don't know." Bill Parcells

by StoopsMyAss on Jul 24, 2009 9:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

College kids getting into trouble...

Your comment there, Stoops, is very sympathetic to the student. I would argue that many people in Iowa would be forgiving of mistakes, but many would not be forgiving of big mistakes.

Also, while the life of a college football player may not be as easy as it seems, a lot of people would love to have the opportunity (and in Iowa, the fame and glory) that comes with that scholarship and jersey. So, many people tend to feel that that student, not matter how young or immature, still has not just the responsibilities of a citizen, but also of a public figure and role model. That is why kids at the UI Hospital love it when the players come visit. That is why people ask them for autographs. That is part of the reason why people spend $75 every other Saturday to see them.

I agree, Hoya, that Ferentz is not close to Osborne. When someone at Iowa pulls a LawrencePhillips, they are usually gone. And if a kid makes a dumb mistake like a PAULA or passing out in an alley, it is OK to give them a short suspension and a second chance. But, when a player pulls the crap that Everson/Satterfield did, or when a player punches a cabdriver, or drives drunk, then examples need to be made. Examples of what NOT to do if you want to be an Iowa Hawkeye. I think that Ferentz is shooting about 75% in this area, and I think it should be closer to 100%. But, I am still glad he is our coach, because there are a lot worse out there.

by WaterlooChazz on Jul 24, 2009 3:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Many people...

wrote on this site that his son should have been thrown off the team. Certainly we have to rely on Ferentz’s discretion on these matters. It’s his team and his decision to make. My point is, I see him not as a person who is overly concerned with knee-jerk symbolic overraction. And I like that about him. If you’re going to preach family then you can’t just flush people when they hurt you, interdependence goes deeper than that. I love that he doesn’t run Iowa like a coroporation, where profits justify evey decision.

"When you don't know that you don't know, it's a lot different than when you do know that you don't know." Bill Parcells

by StoopsMyAss on Jul 24, 2009 4:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep...

I think his sons’ hijinx have been mostly dumb, minor stuff.

If James gets a third strike, though, you have to at least think about throwing him off the team.

by WaterlooChazz on Jul 24, 2009 8:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was one of them

Were James’ tickets small potatoes? Sure, and they’re part and parcel of the life of a typical undergraduate student in Iowa City. But do I worry about a de facto “three strikes” rule on dumb small-time drinking offenses? You’re damn right I do. I know a number of people who paid their own way through school (or, at the very least, weren’t on full scholarship), who had two drinking tickets and either transferred or moved into an environment where alcohol wasn’t so accessible and accepted. Part of those decisions were grades, to be sure, and I don’t think there’s anything indicating that J-Rentz is struggling in the classroom, but part of that was a swift kick in the ass from the parents, as well. I don’t see that from Ferentz (not exclusively in his role as actual father of James, but for his “kids” on the team).

But three strikes isn’t the problem (if the axe even falls after three, which isn’t certain). The problem is going to be when someone else, someone who isn’t related to the coaches, gets a second PAULA, or a possession + public intox, or two PI’s, or a couple of other piddly misdemeanors, and Ferentz deems their conduct suitable for the dreaded indefinite suspension. I think he’s smart enough to see the double standard if the problem presents itself, but I also think he’s stubborn enough to say “fuck it, it’s my team, I’ll suspend or boot who I damn well please.”

There’s also the problem of basketball vs. football: Dan Bohall drank some Zima and passed out in a dorm bathroom. He had to run the gauntlet to get back on the basketball team, and he was a freaking walk-on. Anthony Tucker passed out in the alley behind The Union and was pretty much done for the year (yeah, there was mono in there, too, but it’s not like he was rushed back when healthy). I don’t want to hear anyone say that our football players have to live up to those same standards when they go astray. That double standard is bothersome on a number of levels, and I think Lickliter is probably closer to the proper standard for punishment than Ferentz (or, at least, he errs on the side of too much punishment rather than too little).

How did we get back on this issue again? Fucking A, man.

storminspank: "Or we could join you can take our pants off."

by Hawkeye State on Jul 25, 2009 12:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So, HS...

So I can get this straight, are you saying Ferentz is not strict enough?

Also, Anthony Tucker never played in the second semester because of grades, not the drinking or the mono. It will be interesting to see if he is a starter from day 1 this year.

Finally, I think Bohall got that treatment because he was a walk-on, and Lick didn’t really want him around.

Have the rules changed about walk-ons in basketball? Why did Tom Davis pluck dudes off the gray team every other year, and Lick acts like it is a curse?

by WaterlooChazz on Jul 25, 2009 12:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

if you have 10 minutes to burn

I had a buddy send me an email on a highlight tape some guy put together on youtube. it’s pretty good.

I'm a limousine ridin', jet flyin', kiss stealin', wheelin' dealin' son of a gun. WOOOO

And then these. happened

by 2mannings1cup on Jul 23, 2009 10:58 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Man...

I am itching for the start of football season now. Arrgh.

by RossWB on Jul 23, 2009 11:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Excellent highlight vid...

Thanks, 2Mannings.

The problem with videos like that is it makes me feel like we’re about to go 11-1. If that comes true, awesome.

My favorite part is at about the 4:30 mark on that vid where it takes about 3 Cyclones to tackle our 3rd string TE (Reisner).

Finally, after you watch that, you feel like Sash and Angerer each had about 3 dozen picks last year.

by WaterlooChazz on Jul 24, 2009 2:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with StoopsMyA...

If you think about it, Iowa has been pretty fortunate to have Fry and Stoops (and Evy, for that matter). I can’t think of too many other programs like Iowa (small recruiting base, no tradition of national titles, usually middle of their conference, etc) that have also had 3 coaches of that caliber in their history.

Here may be where I disagree with StoopsMyA: while it is nearly pointless to do so, you probably have to give the nod to Fry as being the best. He took Iowa back to respectability and beyond when they had been pretty bad for awhile. He did it at roughly the time when Iowa State could have become the better program in the state (ISU had 3 straight 8 win seasons from 76 to 78). Also, Ferentz learned from Fry. Finally, Fry has had success at 3 stops as a head coach, while Ferentz has really only done so as head coach here (and I’ll include his NFL assistant coaching as a success, so that makes 2 stops).

While Ferentz is probably the best fit for Iowa right now, Fry brought us “back from the brink.” But, Iowa is pretty lucky to have had both.

by WaterlooChazz on Jul 23, 2009 1:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh yeah...

Fry made Ferentz and Fry made this version of Iowa football. I just said that Ferentz is a stud and that the two are not really comparable. So we don’t disagree at all. Did Bellanca call you?

Kidding.

"When you don't know that you don't know, it's a lot different than when you do know that you don't know." Bill Parcells

by StoopsMyAss on Jul 23, 2009 4:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

@Stoops...

Sorry. I wasn’t trying to argue with you. I was a little confused, because at first you said you can’t compare the two, then you said Fry was the man, then you said Ferentz has done a miraculous job.

I interpreted this to mean that you thought Ferentz was better. I guess you did not mean that.

Have a great Hawkeye day!

by WaterlooChazz on Jul 23, 2009 4:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What stands out on this highlight package

Is how freaking huge, I mean massive!, the holes are for Hampton. I mean, sheesh, he just had to make sure not to trip to make yards. He broke, by my count, two tackles out of the 13 or so runs included on the tape. Watching this makes me think that the O-line, if it can approach last year’s success, could make any of these RBs a star.

"When you don't know that you don't know, it's a lot different than when you do know that you don't know." Bill Parcells

by StoopsMyAss on Jul 23, 2009 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs