DOES McCALL'S FINGER POINT TO OTHER HAWKEYE CONCERNS

Frustration can be a difficult thing to deal with.  When you're faced with such a feeling, it can cause you to react in a number of ways....some good and some bad.  The bad reaction, even if you're correct in your response, can make you out to be a complainer or a malcontent.

Let's take the case of Mika'il McCall, freshman running back for the Iowa Hawkeyes.  McCall was one of the jewel's of the 2011 recruiting class.  His presence provided depth at a position the Hawkeyes needed in the worst way.

In the September 3rd season opener against Tennessee Tech, McCall showed a quick burst and tough running ability enroute to a nine-carry, 61 yard effort.  Hawkeye fans were ecstatic until his last rush ended  in a heap.  McCall suffered an ankle injury that later was diagnosed as a break.  By most accounts, he was thought to be done for the season, but McCall had other ideas.  He spent the next eight weeks in rehabilitation until he was cleared to practice again.  On November 19th, McCall returned to action against the Purdue Boilermakers carrying twice.  His second rush ended in a fumble near the goal line as the Hawkeyes were attempting to widen a lead.  Day over.  McCall was subjected to the bench.

The young running back was upset.  This wasn't the picture he'd envisioned during the grueling rehab period he had endured.  Out of frustration, McCall used his middle finger to express his displeasure of the situation....and later took some of those feelings to his Facebook page.  Actions which did not endure himself to Hawkeye head man, Kirk Ferentz   This is the press conference Q and A that took place as Iowa prepared to play Nebraska.

COACH FERENTZ: Mika'il McCall will not be making the trip either. He violated a team policy and will not be with the team this week.
Q: Can you elaborate on McCall?
COACH FERENTZ: He won't be with us. Violated team policy.
Q. Was it something after Purdue, after the game?
COACH FERENTZ: I think the fact he's not going this week, it's probably safe to assume that, yeah, something I learned afterwards, so...
Q. Just a one-week deal with him?
COACH FERENTZ: Haven't made that decision yet. We'll just take it a week at a time right now. I'm just trying to get through Friday. That's where I'm at.

Wednesday, Ferentz announced McCall would not be making the trip to the Insight Bowl.  His status is still not clear concerning staying or leaving the program.

Looking at the Future...

Those comments are defensible if you're the coach.  More than anything you want a team that's on the same page.  However, that's the question that surfaces.  Is this program on the same page?  The sports talk shows are full of "frustrated" Hawkeye fans".  Some are calling for a coaching change at the university.  Others are fed up with the conservatism of the team, both offensively and defensively.  Offensive Coordinator Ken O'Keefe has endured years of mud-slinging concerning his game calling.  Defensive Coordinator Norm Parker who retired last week was heralded as a genius, but some critics felt the game was beginning to pass him by.  "We've become as vanilla as there is", one disgusted fan mused.  "We are so easy to predict.  That was fine many years ago when we could physically beat up a team, but we can't do that anymore".

Frustrated???  I think that's a good word to sum up the Hawkeye Nation.  There are a whole series of questions that cause concern.  Let's list a few and comment:

1.  Kirk Ferentz's salary of $3.65 million a year.  Comment: This figure is beginning to stick in the craw of Hawkeye faithful.  Ferentz is now the longest tenured coach in the Big Ten.  In recent years, Iowa has been an average team.  The money and the results don't equate themselves.

2.  Sexual Allegations of former Iowa players Abe Satterfield and Cedric Everson in 2007.  Comment:  This cast a huge black eye on the university.  Not only was the incident a public relations nightmare, the final ruling of the court left many questioning its fairness.

3. January 28, 2011.  Thirteen Hawkeye players are stricken with Rhabdomyolysis.  Despite an effort to right the situation, the story went national.   Comment:  University officials postured their findings to soothe many parents of current players and potential recruits.  However, one has to wonder, how much of the Rhabo incident was used against them on the recruiting trail.

4.  The demise of DJK, Adam Robinson, Brandon Wegher and Jewel Hampton.  Comment:  Bonafide stars in the Iowa program that went south.  DJK's situation is much like McCall's.  Over the years, he was in the coach's doghouse more often than not.  Drugs were his downfall after becoming one of the top receivers in Iowa history.  The other three went astray with many of the temptations stardom can present.  Do stars in the Iowa program receive too much glory?

5.  Norm Parker's retirement and Rich Kaczenski's departure.  Comment:  Parker's retirement comes at a crucial time for the program.  Will Ferentz stay in-house for a replacement or look outside.  Last year, Michigan brought in Greg Mattison from the NFL ranks to lead the Wolverine defense.  He was instrumental in the Michigan turnaround.  Staying in house for someone like Phil Parker won't offer many changes.  Additionally, the slowness in hiring a new person has hurt recruiting already.  Kaczenski's leaving is an eye-opener.  Did he know something internally that prompted him to look elsewhere....or did he fall out of the coach's favor.  Kaczenski had received good marks as lead recruiter this fall for a number of potential recruits.  Iowa now finds themselves down two defensive coaches.  Now, is not the time to be conservative in the hiring process.

6.  Marcus Coker Suspension:  Comment:  The leading rusher for the Hawkeyes in 2011 will not be making the trip to the Insight Bowl.  Inquiring minds would like to know the reason for the suspension.  Iowa officials are saying it is due to a violation of university policies.  If this issue isn't resolved satisfactorily for the Coker family, will Iowa lose another of its leading rushers in the program?  Or will Coker raise his middle finger in frustration, much like McCall?

So, as you can see, there is a whole bunch of frustration in the Hawkeye world.  December 31st, Iowa plays the pre-season favorite, Oklahoma Sooners, in the Insight Bowl.  You could easily call this a crossroads game for Iowa.  Does Ferentz have another big rabbit to pull out of the hat with bowl preparation?  Does Norm Parker's departure rally the troops?  Does an unknown running back lead Iowa to victory like Coker last year?

These are just some of the questions that will be going on in the minds of Hawkeye faithful come game time.  If the game turns ugly for Iowa .....how will fans show their frustration?  Hopefully, McCall didn't give them any ideas...

Thanks for reading,

John