IOWA CITY, Iowa — As I started to answer these questions, I watched people shuffle to their seats on the 40th anniversary of Carver-Hawkeye Arena’s men’s basketball debut.
Whether it was the disappointing start to the season, the 8 p.m. tipoff or just a semi-malaise impacting the program, the venue was maybe two-thirds full for a Big Ten game against Indiana. Students are not on campus for the next week or so, but this was a scene nobody would have expected 20 years ago. I digress.
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There’s plenty to discuss about Iowa sports these days, from an uneven football season to ongoing free agency to the unsettled men’s and women’s basketball campaigns. Let’s get to your questions.
Note: Submitted questions have been lightly edited for clarity.
This year Iowa is No. 2 nationally in scoring defense and total defense and No. 1 nationally in yards per play at 3.99. Can you put this in perspective historically for Iowa and how the 3.99 compares nationally to the best defensive years of all teams? And how much more improbable is it that the offense was second-to-last nationally in total offensive yards? Oh, and what does Phil Parker have to do to win assistant coach of the year? — Jordan L.
This is the new gold standard of Iowa defenses. Only once since 1959 have the Hawkeyes allowed fewer than 3.99 yards per play, and that was in 1981 at 3.79. That era was completely different, with Iowa running a 5-2 front and the Big Ten being an exclusively ground-based league. The program’s best defensive number was in 1957 at 3.17 yards per play, with Alex Karras winning the Outland Trophy and finishing second in Heisman Trophy voting. But that’s ancient history.
Even in Iowa’s best years under Kirk Ferentz, the defense failed to match what it did this season. The Hawkeyes ranked first nationally in 2020 at 4.34 yards per play allowed. In 2009, they were ninth at 4.26. In 2004, which widely was considered the best of the era, Iowa finished sixth at 4.32 yards per play.
No other program nationally has boasted a better number than Iowa in the past 10 years. Only Alabama in 2017 and 2016 equaled Iowa at 3.99 yards per play allowed. The only Big Ten team to post a better number in the past 20 years is Ohio State (3.64) in 2007, when the Buckeyes played for their second straight BCS title.
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The best example of a team with a similar profile to Iowa is Penn State in 2004. It was fourth in yards per play allowed (4.26), fifth in scoring defense (15.3 points per game) and 10th in total defense (291.51 yards per game). Offensively, the Nittany Lions were 109th in scoring (17.7), 104th in total offense (310.7), 81st in rushing and 90th in passing. Penn State never allowed more than 21 points in a game and scored seven points or fewer five times. But the Nittany Lions were 4-7, and the Hawkeyes were 8-5. The Big Ten had better offenses this year than in 2004.
It’s almost a crime that Parker has yet to win the Broyles Award, which regularly goes to the hot new assistant coach. Iowa’s offense posted the worst Big Ten numbers this century (251.6 yards per game). The passing game generated seven touchdowns; Iowa’s defense scored six plus two safeties. The voting for these awards should take place after the season, and Parker’s case is one reason why.
In your defensive outlook for 2023, you mentioned defensive tackle Yahya Black as a potential body to shift to the offensive line. How much are you hearing about that, and are there any other players who could shift to the other side of the ball? — Jordan H.
There has been legitimate discussion on the staff about Black moving to offense, which he played in high school. Ferentz leaves those decisions to the players: Some agree, some don’t, and a few might consider making that positional change at a different school. At this time, there is no change, and it might not happen. But it has been discussed, and with Noah Shannon returning for a sixth year, the conversation could be ongoing.
Deavin Hilson moved from running back to defensive back late in the season. It’s possible a linebacker could move to fullback, but that’s only my speculation.
It has been mentioned that Cade McNamara won’t be around for spring practice. What is the holdup? Is he finishing a degree and then enrolling? — Patrick G.
McNamara is enrolling this month and will be around all spring. It’s possible he won’t be able to practice fully because of his late-fall knee surgery.
Do you think Joe Labas did anything in the bowl game to bolster his standing within the program? — Craig Z.
Labas did a nice job and enters the offseason as the clear No. 2. Spring practice will impact his standing, especially with Deacon Hill on the roster. But Labas was an unknown before the Music City Bowl, and he proved capable of managing a game plan without making mistakes.
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What kind of time frame is Iowa looking at as far as wrapping up transfer portal signings? Is there a deadline for them? Also, there seems to be a foreshadowing of offensive staff moves with the signing of Deacon Hill. Hill has ties to Jon Budmayr, so maybe, just maybe, Bud will be moved to a permanent assistant? — Sean R.
Do you think the Hawks will bring a tackle and a guard or just a tackle? If so, which names are they looking at? Any linebackers to add from the portal? — Todd F.
The portal closes Jan. 18, so … . Multiple prospects attended the Iowa-Indiana men’s basketball game Thursday night, including defensive end Jackson Filer, the national junior college defensive player of the year at national champion Iowa Western, who picked Iowa on Friday. Former Saginaw (Mich.) State tackle Daijon Parker, who was committed to Virginia, flipped to Iowa on Saturday. Former Stanford tackle Walter Rouse arrived after the game. I don’t have any linebacker names to add after Iowa hosted former Nebraska linebacker Ernest Hausmann last month (he chose Michigan).
The Hawkeyes will remain active in the portal until it closes and will consider available freshmen. Budmayr, who was an offensive analyst this season, recruited Hill to Wisconsin and was a primary recruiter for McNamara before he chose Michigan. Budmayr likely will become an assistant coach for the upcoming season. As for the other roles, I have nothing to report.
Of the Iowa football players who have entered the portal, who remains without a team? And who has signed and where? — Kent P.
Linebacker Jestin Jacobs picked Oregon, receiver Keagan Johnson chose Kansas State and running back Gavin Williams committed to Northern Illinois. Offensive lineman Josh Volk committed to Northern Iowa, and receiver Arland Bruce IV has taken visits to Arkansas and Mississippi State and had one scheduled with Fresno State. Safety Reggie Bracy has yet to announce a destination. Quarterback Alex Padilla had a few Group of 5 offers but has yet to commit. True freshman quarterback Carson May entered the portal this week.
Among the sixth-year transfers, cornerback Terry Roberts has several offers, including some from Big Ten schools, and Miami (Fla.) remains a strong possibility. Backup safety Dallas Craddieth, who played in the Music City Bowl, committed to Kent State for his sixth season.
With the struggles at quarterback the past couple of years, do you know what went into the decisions not to recruit Max Duggan and Hunter Dekkers? — Steve T.
Iowa was hot after Duggan in high school and was the first school to offer him. It mostly came down to fit, and Duggan opted for TCU over some heavy hitters like Ohio State. Dekkers had his ups and downs but flashed some potential. The staff was all in on Deuce Hogan for the 2020 class, so Dekkers didn’t get a look.
What are the character traits of a successful college head coach, and which assistants on Iowa’s staff have some of those traits? — Michael G.
What can/should Iowa do to make sure LeVar Woods remains on the coaching staff? — Kyle V.
I’d say the great character traits in coaching are the same as in all types of careers. Someone who is trustworthy, committed, caring, honest and direct. Someone who commands the room with their presence, demands respect without ordering it and projects a clear pathway to success without shortchanging the steps along the journey. Clear, concise communication is vital, as is intellect and the ability to withstand difficult situations with a steady hand. A person who is unwavering in their principles yet can adapt strategically when necessary. Those who have a bold long-term vision while reacting swiftly to shifting landscapes.
It’s rare to find someone who can check each box, and I’m not sure anyone at Iowa does. Parker, for instance, prefers to teach the game rather than become a CEO. Such self-awareness is a gift among coaches, who rarely possess that quality. I’d say those whom I can envision as head coaches include Woods, linebackers coach Seth Wallace and offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz. Yes, I wrote Brian Ferentz’s name, and I stand by it. That doesn’t mean I think he should be the head coach at Iowa, but he could become a head coach.
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Iowa’s most important assistants are Parker, Woods, Wallace and defensive line coach Kelvin Bell. Parker’s success is extraordinary, as is his loyalty. Woods, Wallace and Bell are top-shelf recruiters, and nobody generates more respect than Bell from his players.
Kirk Ferentz has shown to be among the most stubborn and inflexible coaches in terms of evolving/adapting his methods of program development, coaching philosophies and on-field schemes and design. Is he really the best coach to lead Iowa into uncharted waters unseen before in college football? — J.M.
I could present a multitude of reasons he is and isn’t. How about I revisit this topic in March after the portal closes and any potential coaching changes are concluded, OK?
Is there a chance Fran McCaffery decides to take another job after the season? It seems some Fran fatigue is starting to settle in, fairly or unfairly. Does Fran just take a better job, maybe on the East Coast at a school that cares, supports and prioritizes basketball? — James J.
It’s valid to look into this. The dynamic at Iowa is unique among its traditional Big Ten foes because until Nebraska joined, it was the only state without a major pro team. During Hayden Fry’s football tenure, the handoff between football and basketball was seamless. The fan base supported both religiously, and in 1988, RCM/Raycom agreed to pay Iowa a then-record $6.5 million minimum for five years to syndicate second-tier games and coaches shows throughout the state. Once the deal concluded, the Big Ten took over every school’s third-party rights. Iowa and Indiana were hurt the most.
Fan support is perhaps more rabid at Indiana, Purdue and Illinois, but Iowa has more support than most programs. But an undercurrent of apathy exists, too. That’s what tends to happen when programs are 24 years away from their last Sweet 16. Is that Fran fatigue? Maybe. Does the environment at Carver-Hawkeye Arena contribute to that? Definitely. If Fran wants to leave, let him move on.
A lack of a complete and total embrace by the administration for The Swarm Collective impacts the player acquisition process, which is how Iowa competes against its Big Ten brethren. Without a collective in place last spring and early summer, it cost the basketball program a much-needed post player.
How many players on the men’s team had scholarship offers from other Big Ten schools? I believe Dasonte Bowen and Josh Dix did, but I’m not aware of any others. — Jeff A.
Iowa’s scholarship situation is odd. Kris Murray (as well as twin brother Keegan, the reigning NBA rookie of the month) had only one scholarship offer, and it was from Western Illinois. If Murray had hit the open market this past offseason, every school in the country would have fought for him. Patrick McCaffery was a four-star recruit, and Connor McCaffery was a high three-star recruit, but neither player was going anywhere but to play for their dad. Those situations don’t reflect on the team.
Bowen (Miami, Virginia Tech, Penn State, Seton Hall) and Dix (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Purdue, Wake Forest) each had several high-major offers, as did center Riley Mulvey (Penn State, Syracuse and Virginia Tech). Shooting guard Payton Sandfort (Stanford) and center Josh Ogundele (Cincinnati) also held other Power 5 offers.
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What are your thoughts on both of the basketball teams? There are always rough patches in a season, but I’ve learned to assess at the end of the season, as there have been an array of regular-season and postseason outcomes under Fran. I hope he stays, and I think he will. — Kurt R.
It looks like the men’s team might be lucky to make the NIT this year. Is there any hope for the team next year in incoming or current players getting better with Kris Murray likely going pro? — Michael M.
The women’s team has played a difficult schedule and should come out better for it in late March. As for the men’s team, it doesn’t look consistently connected. It plays well in spurts, and it will beat a few ranked opponents. But there’s probably not enough depth to win more than half of its Big Ten games. But Iowa men’s basketball fans are used to disappointment, so that’s nothing new.
I’m not going to provide any false hope for next year without Murray, Connor McCaffery and Filip Rebraca. It might be a tough couple of years for Iowa men’s hoops. I’m not sure how fans will handle it. My guess is apathy quickly will settle in.
With the large increase in TV money coming in soon, could you see any of the following: A) Iowa relaxes its “must play seven home games” in football each year and perhaps gets a home-and-home with someone other than Iowa State or a neutral site game? B) Iowa adds another sport like hockey or lacrosse? C) Iowa makes changes at athletic director or with a head coach or two? — Derek H.
I don’t see Iowa altering its number of home games except maybe once. Perhaps Iowa would play a game against Notre Dame in Chicago or something for a $6 million check or something. Otherwise, it’s seven and Iowa State for eternity. After the calamity associated with cutting sports during the COVID-19 pandemic, I can’t imagine the department adding anything else. The goal is to fund the ones Iowa already sponsors to a championship level. That’s difficult enough.
The revenue increase from Big Ten coffers likely won’t impact high-profile administrative or coaching exit strategies. If there needs to be a change in leadership, Iowa would do it no matter the number (except maybe in football). But the revenue increase might help pay for their successors.
If Kirk Ferentz makes no changes again this offseason, if Fran McCaffery’s team finishes at or near the bottom of the league, we know Gary Barta won’t act. So, does president Barbara Wilson finally step in, as she did at Illinois? — Richard J.
I like this question and want to expand on it: Who are advocates at various levels for the fan base? Who listens to our complaints? — J.V.
There are various ways to interpret these questions, and it really depends on your perspective. Iowa has a well-insulated administration. It has lost a sexual discrimination lawsuit, settled a Title IX lawsuit, dealt with a racial bias investigation and a lawsuit with the football program and tripped over itself multiple times, and there’s little accountability. The Regents and president’s office clearly have faith in Barta, who ranks fifth in tenure among his Power 5 peers. He’s almost made of Teflon.
When it comes to hiring coaches, Barta has gotten lucky. Ferentz, Lisa Bluder and Tom Brands were in place before he arrived on campus in 2006. Barta replaced Steve Alford in 2007 with Todd Lickliter, who was 38-58 in three seasons, then hired McCaffery in 2011. All have enjoyed various levels of success, and Barta allows them all to enjoy a high level of autonomy.
As for advocates, Iowa doesn’t have boosters who make big demands. For the most part, that’s healthy and rare in college athletics. Barta doesn’t act impulsively or push his coaches to make unwanted changes. In the micro, it’s incredibly frustrating. So many Iowa fans — perhaps even a critical mass — feel stuck. Media can opine or advocate to an extent, but our voices are barely heavier than a fan’s tweet. Asking “the tough questions” with an angry tone doesn’t go anywhere. Plus, in barely more than a calendar year, you’ve had a football team earn a division title plus men’s and women’s basketball teams win Big Ten tournament championships. Do you start firing head coaches a year later because they struggled?
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As the interim chancellor at Illinois, Wilson had to make changes for noncompetitive reasons. There were accusations of player mistreatment within the football program, which led to coach Tim Beckman’s dismissal and eventually athletic director Mike Thomas’ firing. There’s nothing at Iowa remotely in that area.
If the offense is just as bad next year, will you quit? — Patrick W.
I covered the final two years of the Lickliter era and the first seven years of Fran McCaffery’s tenure home and away. If I can withstand that, I can withstand anything, even a bad Iowa football offense.
(Top photo of Phil Parker: Charlie Neibergall / Associated Press)
