Sounds like Norm Parker intends to return to full action next season and that Ferentz supports this decision.  At this point, after what happened to our defense this year in Norm's absence, and with the 69 year old Parker in failing health, this strikes me as loyalty to a fault on Ferentz's part.  As much as we all love Norm, I'm not sure this program at this particular juncture can afford another season of uncertainty at a coordinator position.  I'm not saying that supporting Parker's decision to return isn't valiant on Ferentz's part--it is--but it is also perhaps unpragmatic.  I think I would be encouraging Norm to retire while he's still in fans' good graces.  I don't expect Ferentz to point this out to anybody, but if things don't turn out a bit better next season for the Hawkeyes, the Jacobsen building ain't going to be a real fun place to work anymore.  Meanwhile, Ferentz should also be encouraging KOK to explore head coaching options at the Division III or high school level.  Of course, if I were Ferentz, I would be negotiating a straight up OC-for-waterboy trade with NIU right now, although the situation might not yet be that dire--we should be able to get at least a grad. assistant in exchange.

At any rate, the situation with Norm and his health is a difficult one.  He's served our program (and several others) very well for a very long time now.  Coming back for another year might be the best thing for Norm's mental (if not physical) well-being (though I'm no doctor), but is it the best for the future of the program?  Am I a dick for even asking?  What do you all think about this situation?