NO MORE PASSING GAS FOR IOWA'S FERENTZ

Iowa Football began in a quandary in 2011 when reports of rhabdomyolysis involving current players began circulating in the local media.  Questions began to mount and then reports went national....the scrutiny began.  Critics were quick to point out a slow response Iowa officials showed in their reaction process.  Probably a point well taken.  After many weeks of bad press clippings, the program was able to weather the storm.  Did it hurt recruiting?  Did other programs use that against Iowa...for sure.  Oh, life in a fish bowl.

When the season kicked off this past September there was glowing optimism.  In the season opener, true freshman running back Mika'il McCall helped fuel those thoughts when he ripped off 35 yards in 6 carries.  He looked to have tremendous promise.  On the sixth carry, McCall suffered a foot injury which later turned out to be a broken ankle.  Many fans were distraught.  McCall was first thought to be out for the season, however that was not the case.  After weeks of rehab he was able to return to practice.  When would McCall return to action?  That seemed to be a weekly media question to Ferentz....yet he continued to sit.  When he finally hit the playing field against Purdue he fumbled the ball on his second carry.  McCall was promptly benched.  The McCall response to "riding the pine" was to raise his middle finger in protest at Ferentz.  Soon thereafter, he hit Facebook with some candid remarks to show his disgust.  The outcome of his reaction was a suspension by the Hawkeye head man.  Weeks later, another off-field incident surfaced involving McCall which cemented any hope he had in returning to the team for the bowl trip to Arizona.  Ultimately McCall decided to transfer.  Bump#1

Bump #2 and #3.  Long-time Defensive Coordinator Norm Parker decides to retire on December 11th.  A fan favorite for many year's, Parker's health had become a concern.  Ultimately Norm decided to concentrate on his diabetes issues, thus opening the door for a replacement to the coaching staff.  The question now, does Ferentz stay in-house or go outside for the hire?  Many fans are hopeful of a new approach to the defense and want someone new.....others feel defensive back coach Phil Parker deserves a chance.  Ten days after Parker announced his retirement, came news of defensive line coach Rick Kaczenski departing the Hawkeyes for Husker Nation.  Losing a key coach to rival Nebraska was looked at as a unusual move.  More than anything, it brought up a myriad of questions.  Why was he leaving?  Was he being forced out?  Was there a rift between he and Ferentz?  How were potential recruits going to react to both Parker and Kaczenski leaving?  Ultimately, Kaczenski responded to his departure by saying the opportunity was just "to great" to turn down the Nebraska offer and was leaving on good terms. What's left unanswered is the recruit issue.   Ferentz doesn't seem concerned.

As of today, there has been little discussion of staff replacements for the two.  One name that surface last week was Penn State interim head coach Tom Bradley.  Known for his defensive prowess while serving under Joe Paterno...is he the man you want to try and sell to the masses?  Bradley might be a terrific coach, however with tenous times in Iowa City, I'm not sure he's the right hire.  Would it be too much to ask for Ferentz to hire someone with a Hawkeye background?  Regardless there are two openings on staff that need filling....the sooner the better.

BUMP #34. 1/11/2012.  Suspended running back Marcus Coker decides to leave the program and transfer to another school.  Who could have seen this coming?  Despite a clouded reason for Coker not making the trip to Arizona, most felt the Hawkeyes top rusher in 2011 would return.  Something or someone convinced him to leave.  While some will say, "next man in"...this line is gettng far too old.  For various reasons, the Hawkeyes have lost running backs Jewel Hampton, Brandon Wegher, McCall and Adam Robinson in the last few years.  And now Coker. 

Step on the Gas and do some "Explainin"

What's happening in Iowa City?  That's what alot of people would like to know.  2012 recruit Jaleel Johnson responded via Facebook, "Starting to have doubts about the future, what is going on in that place"?                

Johnson's words should be enough for Iowa officials to step up and do some explaining.  Ferentz was flippant in a remark about personnel matters as he came off the practice field while in Arizona.  "I passed gas out there about an hour into practice. Did you guys catch that on mic?  I'll see if I can muster one up for you right now." 

Now is not the time for funny.  I can think of 3.65 million reasons to talk.   A little "explainin" and truth will go a long way. 

Thanks for reading,

John