This season will tell us whether Kirk Ferentz is still right for Iowa.
By Danny Payne
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It’s upon us. At 11 a.m. Saturday, Iowa will begin head coach Kirk Ferentz’s 17th season, perhaps the biggest of his career as the man in charge.
We all know what happened last year — the mediocre 7-6 campaign that ended with the Hawkeyes dropping four of their final five games. It was frustrating for fans, it was frustrating for the team, and it was frustrating for Ferentz.
On Thursday, we detailed the changes the head coach and his staff implemented. Of course, the biggest is that Iowa has a new quarterback in C.J. Beathard, one seemingly more popular among fans than two-year starter Jake Rudock, who has since transferred to Michigan.
Ferentz’s first priority is winning, which cures all. But some changes — particularly night games at Kinnick Stadium and alternate all-black uniforms — are geared more toward getting fans in seats and generally improving the attitude among the Hawkeye faithful.
Now, with Beathard in place, as well as the program’s other attempts at improvement implemented, the question poses itself — will this season bring more victories?
If that’s the case, Ferentz can rest easy at the end of this season. Fans will quickly forget the disappointment of 2014 should this year bring success. Although it was a four-win swing from the year prior, remember the excitement surrounding this program at the end of 2013?
And to be fair, there is room for optimism this season, depending who you talk to. Beathard has talent, defensive end Drew Ott is a great player, the secondary is solid, and the one-two punch of LeShun Daniels Jr. and Jordan Canzeri seems formidable in the backfield.
It’s a matter of their taking that potential and turning it to success it on the field. If that happens, this team has a shot to be in the thick of things come November. From there, anything can happen.
But the pessimistic, perhaps more realistic (depending on whom you talk to), prediction could have Ferentz seeking answers. Starting Beathard and letting Rudock walk could backfire, and Iowa’s weaknesses on the offensive line could create a world of havoc to an already questionable Greg Davis offense.
The linebackers may not progress as fast as the team hopes, and the Hawks could find themselves behind Big Ten West favorite Wisconsin before the conference slate even begins.
At season’s end, we could be talking about Ferentz pulling the right strings and winning his team meaningful games. The conversation heading into next season could be how a head coach who was seemingly set in his ways can continue to turn a program around after a series of effective tweaks.
Or, we could be talking about a team that hasn’t done anything of real significance since an Orange Bowl win in 2009. The question at year’s end could be regarding Kirk Ferentz’s successor. Maybe it will be even worse — how will a once-successful head coach who has worn out his welcome try to kick-start a program? Again.
We’ll find out soon enough.
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