Riding the Ferentz radio show roller coaster
Here’s a synopsis of Wednesday’s Kirk Ferentz radio show – at least most of it. He took the bullet, a few of them at least, for his team.
Caller: Wants to know why Quinton Alston isn’t playing more.
Ferentz: He’s playing behind James Morris.
Caller: Why isn’t backup quarterback Jake Rudock playing more?
Ferentz: There’s no definitive answer. It felt like it was the best thing for our football team at that point to keep the guys on the field.
Caller: Commented on the fans booing during the team’s “biggest” recruiting weekend, wondering what affect it had?
Ferentz: When you experience a game that’s disappointing, there’s going to be criticism. It comes with the territory. I trust the recruits understand that. You worry a little about the younger people, the players involved. I thought the stadium environment was absolutely fantastic. I didn’t hear the booing. I did hear some real cheering at the end – the touchdown play and the field goal block. For the most part, you can’t beat Kinnick. You can’t beat our fans.”
Caller: How do you watch a football game on TV?
Ferentz: Depends on who’s playing. Usually watch the offensive line play.
Caller: Very few passes for 15 yards or more. Why?
Ferentz: It’s usually a combination—quarterback not seeeing a receiver, play not designed that way. Good coverage.
Caller: Wonders about pass rush, and no innovative offense. Gone downhill last 2-3 years. Questions recruiting. Said receivers aren’t very good. As coach, why do you have us hold out hope for the future.
Ferentz: I hope you have a better day tomorrow. Had fair amount of success over the long haul. Appreciate your opinions. I understand the frustration. Everybody’s entitled to their opinions.
Caller: Praises James Vandenberg, then questions program attrition of players. How do you head that off?
Ferentz: Like complications in the passing game, it can be a multitude of things. True at every position, some positions more visible than others. It happens throughout the country.
Caller: Who is our quarterback coach? Is Vandenberg injured? I hope the Cleveland Browns are buzzing your phone, because it’s time for you to go.
Ferentz: Not sure I’ll respond to that one (the Browns comment). Says Greg Davis coaches quarterbacks. Says it’s someplace on the Internet.
Caller: What’s your favorite play ever as coach of the Hawkeyes?
Ferentz: Hard to answer.
Caller: People think Iowa will win every week. It isn’t going to happen. Appreciate everything you do.
Ferentz: Wife reminds me that half the teams win every week.
Caller: Says she was a gymnast at Iowa in 1980s and “relieved that my performance wasn’t responsible for the morale of State of Iowa and Iowa City.” She said there is enough pressure to be a student, let alone a student-athlete. She says people should remember that “these are 18-19 and 20 year old students.” She doesn’t call the boo-birds fans. She says they’re spectators.
Ferentz: Thanks, Stephanie. I don’t think everybody’s in the tank now. (he means fans). He praises student-athletes everywhere, not just at Iowa. “That might be the best moment we’ve had in 14 years we’ve been doing this show.” Says he’d like to buy Stephanie and her family dinner sometime.
Caller: Iowa’s game plan against Northwestern?
Ferentz: They have a lot of different ways to score.
Caller: Fans have short memories. (Defending the program)
Ferentz: Some years are better than others, some weeks are better than others. That wasn’t one of our best weeks last week.
Category: Iowa Hawkeyes Football
