Greg Davis, OC at Iowa, is not exactly setting the world on fire. Iowa typically starts very slow and this year is no exception: very lucky to beat Northern Illinois (18-17) and lost to Iowa State 9-6. Iowa doesn't have the raw talent but usually Ferentz does a good job developing his players. Who knows about this year. The Big 10 looks horrible. Anyway, best of luck to Greg. He's going to need it.
"usually Ferentz does a good job developing his players" Eh... I know I'm in the minority on this one, but I think Kirk is one of the worst coaches in Division I. He's easily the most overpaid. Their best players were always the "diamond-in-the-rough" types, but the great 4-star rivals kids they get never seem to pan out. They usually have a solid-enough defense to compete in the offensively-challenged Big 10. Adding Greg Davis to a Big 10 offense is like adding morphine to a nursing home cafeteria line. It might seem like a good match at the time, but then you realize its effects. My Iowa friends are already talking about who the next OC should be, so that says something as well.
You are in the minority. I'm not saying Ferentz is great or anything but look at the number of Iowa players in the NFL. Ferentz doesn't get too many high-quality recruits, but he develops them well.
I think that's probably more on the character of the players that are drafted in the late rounds (or even undrafted for some of his guys) than it is on Ferentz. Since he has dozens of guys starting for teams in the NFL, wouldn't his on-field success at Iowa mirror that? That's why I think he's a poor college coach. He's right there with Gary Pinkel and others who have the tools to succeed in the college game, yet don't. Always a bridesmaid syndrome.
Their OOC schedule is: Northern Illinois Iowa State Northern Iowa Central Michigan That's 3 directional schools plus the Cyclones (who's beaten them pretty regularly of late). Then their Big 10 juggernaut schedule includes: Minnesota Indiana Purdue Northwestern Penn State Seriously, there are about 7 teams in the Big 12 that would go 9-0 against that schedule. Their other 3 games are Nebraska, Michigan, and Michigan State. Whoopee. But somehow if Ferenz gets them to 8-2 going into November, they'll get a bunch of #10-15 votes in the polls and I'll have to read what a tough, gritty, blue-collar team he's got.
I think college success =/= NFL success at all. Plenty of teams are ok and put guys in the NFL, while others are great college teams and it doesn't translate. Ferentz simply doesn't get the talent that other big programs get and gets guys in the NFL. Probably more of a reflection of a solid program and good position coaches. As much as people say he's overrated, I'd say get a slightly better talent level than Iowa St, but not at the Kansas St level. I'd worry about recruiting if he was at Texas, but if nothing else, we'd have a damn solid team that doesn't lose more than 2 each year.
Mack Brown once said that Greg Davis is the best offensive coordinator in the country. Ferentz must be holding him back.
"As much as people say he's overrated, I'd say get a slightly better talent level than Iowa St, but not at the Kansas St level. I'd worry about recruiting if he was at Texas, but if nothing else, we'd have a damn solid team that doesn't lose more than 2 each year." That's just like, wrong, man.