Let’s talk about it.
What does the future of the Iowa Hawkeyes look like? The landscape of college football and the Big Ten is changing. It is a new era of the sport. There are mega-conferences, NIL money to deal with, and recruiting is more national than ever before.
There are two trains of thought for the future in Iowa City. On one hand, you know there has to be a change in the offensive coordinator position. That is inevitable.
But, it isn’t coming until the season is over. Interim athletics director Beth Goetz isn’t going to create that media frenzy midseason. The most obvious path is bringing in a new offensive coordinator. There is one young talent that stands out.
On the other hand, could a changing of the guard be closer than many realize? The new-look Big Ten is a new chapter about to begin, and there is an opportunity for Kirk Ferentz to step away on his own terms after this season alongside Brian Ferentz. It is a reality that isn’t as far-fetched as it sounds.
Kirk will never be asked to leave. He is an all-time great, a legend and deserves to make the call on his own terms. He can leave when he decides, but could that time be sooner than later?
In either scenario, it remains imperative for Iowa to retain Phil Parker as the defensive coordinator. Whether it shuffles the current staff or see a much bigger overhaul, Iowa should do everything in its power to keep Parker. There isn’t a coach in America who would turn down his services as a defensive coordinator.
But, the future always comes and change is inevitable. Let’s take a look at some hypothetical paths forward for the Iowa Hawkeyes.