Ok folks, I need some help here.  I am a devoted Hawkeye football fan.  I was born in 1976, been a Hawkeye fan since 1985, went to my first game in 1989, bought Knothole tickets in high school (4 hours away from Kinnick), had season tickets after high school for a couple of years, and now am a season ticket holder since 2003 (and missed only 2 home games since).  I donate money to the U, as well as the Children's hospital - and I never attended the U of Iowa.  
     But as a fan I am fed up - I have had it with all things Kirk Ferentz, his staff included.  My disgust is not simply a product of this season, it has festered ever since the Western Michigan game to end the 07 season.  But after todays press conference I am officially done.  Herein lies my problem...How do I (or we as fans) continue to support the TEAM and Iowa Football, but NOT the likes of KF and the coaching staff?  I realize that money talks, and as fans if we all take a stand and hit the university in the pocket book where it hurts, it might make a difference, but what kind of support does that show the players?  I love tailgating and going to the games, and frankly not re-upping my season tickets to prove a point flat out sucks, but something has to change.  What is a fan to do to make their voice heard, yet still satisfy the desire for Iowa football when the season rolls around?  I realize there is not a right or wrong answer here, but I am curious as to what the rest of you think about this?

Stop buying tickets and merchandise! Thats all you can do and hope others do the same.

I'm 49 years old and have been a Hawk fan my entire life. I lived through the debacles that were the Lauderbur & Commings eras, so I know hopelessness. Folks, we are headed right back to the 70's. The damage that is being done to this program by a coach who has a lifetime contract and is not being held accountable is destroying everything that Hayden Fry built. KF did fine when he was hungry, but he has grown to be a fat cat with no urgency or motivation to change. I have abandoned all hope for this program for as long as Ferentz is head coach. Hence I have stopped buying tickets and merchandise that ultimately fund his bloated contract and underachievments. I refuse to financially subsidize failure!

jshawks wrote: I'm 49 years old and have been a Hawk fan my entire life. I lived through the debacles that were the Lauderbur & Commings eras, so I know hopelessness. Folks, we are headed right back to the 70's. The damage that is being done to this program by a coach who has a lifetime contract and is not being held accountable is destroying everything that Hayden Fry built. KF did fine when he was hungry, but he has grown to be a fat cat with no urgency or motivation to change. I have abandoned all hope for this program for as long as Ferentz is head coach. Hence I have stopped buying tickets and merchandise that ultimately fund his bloated contract and underachievments. I refuse to financially subsidize failure!

BINGO!  Being of pre- Hayden Fry era myself I feel the same as you. I bought a jvb jersey before the season started AND REFUSE TO BUY any more Iowa merchandise at all and cancelled my trip to iowa city and a game after the central mich debacle and glad I did! I will always be a Hawk but will not support crap.

As an Iowa fan this makes me sick.  Kirk Ferentz has NO toughness, no emotion, just being a person that loves mediocrity and cares about his $4 million a year paycheck, knowing that he will still there for several years to come.  And Gary Barta has to be the most dumbest AD in any major college ever for paying out that type of money to Ferentz just for his team to underachieve.  I have about had it with Iowa football. I will root for them, but it will be virtually impossible for that to happen knowing this team his no chance of winning next year and many years to come.  I will the happiest Iowa fan ever once Ferentz and Barta are out the door.  They have all but damaged the football and the athletic program, and they can't figure it out why it turned out this way or for that matter just sweep it under the rug. We don't deserve to be mentioned as a Big Ten school with these two clowns around. They have became biggest losers in the history of Iowa sports ever.  There I vented out my frustration, but I had to get it out of my chest. 

Fight4Iowa wrote: Ok folks, I need some help here.  I am a devoted Hawkeye football fan.  I was born in 1976, been a Hawkeye fan since 1985, went to my first game in 1989, bought Knothole tickets in high school (4 hours away from Kinnick), had season tickets after high school for a couple of years, and now am a season ticket holder since 2003 (and missed only 2 home games since).  I donate money to the U, as well as the Children's hospital - and I never attended the U of Iowa.  
     But as a fan I am fed up - I have had it with all things Kirk Ferentz, his staff included.  My disgust is not simply a product of this season, it has festered ever since the Western Michigan game to end the 07 season.  But after todays press conference I am officially done.  Herein lies my problem...How do I (or we as fans) continue to support the TEAM and Iowa Football, but NOT the likes of KF and the coaching staff?  I realize that money talks, and as fans if we all take a stand and hit the university in the pocket book where it hurts, it might make a difference, but what kind of support does that show the players?  I love tailgating and going to the games, and frankly not re-upping my season tickets to prove a point flat out sucks, but something has to change.  What is a fan to do to make their voice heard, yet still satisfy the desire for Iowa football when the season rolls around?  I realize there is not a right or wrong answer here, but I am curious as to what the rest of you think about this?

I was born in '79, 1st game in '89 vs Ilinois.  Growing up in Omaha, NE, and now living 20 miles west of there, was inindated with UN talk all the time.  Gotta agree with what you have said.  I haven't been to a game since the Stanzi game of NWestern in '09.  Tickets are absurdly high.  Fine when you are a young guy but when a wife and 4 kids are involved, can't justify spending $400 to see a garbage team.  How many times did you nearly fall asleep watching Iowa this year?  It was a dull, lethargic team, like paint drying.

2,955 DUKFR boys. 



(Days Until Kirk Ferents Retires)

That's a lot of days in a row to rant. 
Think you're strong willed enough to keep up?
Kirk is.

And sadly Barta will still be there, and give Ferentz another huge contract extension for keeping his team going to minor bowls and barely winning records.  I wish Ferentz would go to the NFL, CFL somewhere anywhere to get far away from IC.  And maybe he can take Barta too.

Fight4Iowa wrote: Ok folks, I need some help here.  I am a devoted Hawkeye football fan.  I was born in 1976, been a Hawkeye fan since 1985, went to my first game in 1989, bought Knothole tickets in high school (4 hours away from Kinnick), had season tickets after high school for a couple of years, and now am a season ticket holder since 2003 (and missed only 2 home games since).  I donate money to the U, as well as the Children's hospital - and I never attended the U of Iowa.  
     But as a fan I am fed up - I have had it with all things Kirk Ferentz, his staff included.  My disgust is not simply a product of this season, it has festered ever since the Western Michigan game to end the 07 season.  But after todays press conference I am officially done.  Herein lies my problem...How do I (or we as fans) continue to support the TEAM and Iowa Football, but NOT the likes of KF and the coaching staff?  I realize that money talks, and as fans if we all take a stand and hit the university in the pocket book where it hurts, it might make a difference, but what kind of support does that show the players?  I love tailgating and going to the games, and frankly not re-upping my season tickets to prove a point flat out sucks, but something has to change.  What is a fan to do to make their voice heard, yet still satisfy the desire for Iowa football when the season rolls around?  I realize there is not a right or wrong answer here, but I am curious as to what the rest of you think about this?

Agree with 100% of what you said I was born in 77 and have about the same refrence point you have in terms of era of watching Hawkeye football.  For the last 6-8 years I would buy tickets for birthday gifts for my brother and father and we would go to games together as sort of a bonding type thing.  This year both my dad and brother told me to keep my money it wasn't worth spending it watching the crap Ferentz was putting on the field we went fishing together instead.  I watched every game I had a chance to see which is tough because I work almost every Sat and all they did for me this year is piss me off.  I'm not a hard guy to satisfy either I'm happy with a good effort and a sound gameplan whether we win or lose as long as the effort and preparation is there you tip your hat to the best team at the end.  Watching this team this year is as simple as watching the Bad News Bears the lack of playcalling, execution, clock management, mental errors, etc.......  I have been dumbfounded at the lack of adjustments the lack of changing what is ailing this program, simple things that could lead to better results that aren't even tried.  This team makes the same mistakes week in and week out, they never change.  Players come and go and we never adjust to our personnel we are bland its pathetic.  The one common denominator throughout all this is Ferentz we crucified Okeefe for our offensive struggles and bring in Davis who by all accounts is worse than he was.  I don't have any answers to your question but I can sure understand your frustration because I feel the same way.  Oh by the way Davis is back again next year from the way it sounds so I see no light at the end of the tunnel, I guess I will have to become an entrepenuer and start selling brown paper bags outside Kinnick because lord knows we will need them.

Re: What is an Iowa fan to do?

One of the hardest things for people to realize in life is when to head for the exit sign.  Often, once the dust settles, everyone is better off. 
New opportunities spawn new life and creativity and hope. 

The program has lost hope - the players, the coaches, the fans, the media.  Once hope is lost...only suffering remains. 

Even in the final days of Hayden, I never felt this way.  I always felt they would bounce back eventually.   I seriously do not see a bounce back with Ferentz at the helm.

National champs 2013

STOP renewing your season tickets. STOP buying Iowa gear. If you love to tailgate, you can STILL tailgate. Have a good time, hang out with friends and family. Just watch the game on a TV, outside. Or start a new tradition and have a tailgating party at home, with family and friends. 
I am sick about the fact that I wont be able to go to a game at Kinnick, until Careful Kirk has Iowa in the top 25 rankings in recruiting or polls (which means I wont be able to go until he is gone!) but thats the price of my pride. I refuse to spend one nickle to support Iowa athletics until chit changes. Until the AD and the HC decide that winning is an expectation. Not a luxury.

I'm going to continue to support the team...(even if I don't agree with the coaches decisions).  I am not bandwagon fan...and never will be.

rjhindm wrote: I'm going to continue to support the team...(even if I don't agree with the coaches decisions).  I am not bandwagon fan...and never will be.

And you are part of the reason why this will continue!! You can support them by watching on TV. All you are doing is helping pay his salary longer. I am not a bandwagon fan and neither are the others here! We realize it doesnt have to be like this, that doesn't make us bandwagon fans it shows we care about our team.

rjhindm wrote: I'm going to continue to support the team...(even if I don't agree with the coaches decisions).  I am not bandwagon fan...and never will be.

Part of the problem, not the solution. IMO. 
To each their own.

RJSimmons wrote:

rjhindm wrote: I'm going to continue to support the team...(even if I don't agree with the coaches decisions).  I am not bandwagon fan...and never will be.

Part of the problem, not the solution. IMO. 
To each their own.

2nd that RJ

Your only thirty-six years of age so the best thing you can do is get older and  just let nature take its course.  In life we live and learn whats really important.   This season I enjoyed it when Iowa won, and I enjoyed it when ferentz got beat.   ferentz will never be what you want him to be, and you shouldn't take him seriously.

Your only thirty-six years of age so the best thing you can do is get older and  just let nature take its course.  In life we live and learn whats really important.   This season I enjoyed it when Iowa won, and I enjoyed it when ferentz got beat.   ferentz will never be what you want him to be, and you shouldn't take him seriously.   The university of Iowa will never be ideally what you want it to be either.

Living where I do it's easy. Won't make an effort to get to any games and will just watch on TV. Shoot, I barely did that this year as it was so painful to watch. Will always be a Hawk fan, but right now I see myself as treading water til KF or Barta is gone.

I hate to say but after years and years of being a season ticket holder my crew is ready to join you rj. Ferentz fatigue has set in deep.

KF375 wrote: Stop buying tickets and merchandise! Thats all you can do and hope others do the same.

Take five years off & acquire another hobby for Saturday afternoons in the fall.

Try this on for size. Instead of giving up your season tickets, donate them to the Ronald McDonald House. I'm sure the parents and children there would apreciate a break from the place. Maybe you could also donate your tickets to the Hospital and specify whom to donate them to. This way, you keep your season tickets (for when the Hawks rebound) and you're do someone else some good.

.....or stop living vicariously through a group of kids and go out and find a hobby that actually involves you? Listen to yourselves. A lot of the top programs in the country have their ups and downs. Do you really expect Iowa to NEVER lose? Some of you act like a losing season is the zombie apocolypse. EVERYBODY RUN! Seriously though, get ahold of yourself.

Palirider13 wrote: .....or stop living vicariously through a group of kids and go out and find a hobby that actually involves you? Listen to yourselves. A lot of the top programs in the country have their ups and downs. Do you really expect Iowa to NEVER lose? Some of you act like a losing season is the zombie apocolypse. EVERYBODY RUN! Seriously though, get ahold of yourself.

This isn't the same as getting upset over a teeball game!  College Football is a big business and it brings millions of dollars to our communities it funds scholarships for hundreds of kids it brings a sense of pride to Iowans your comparison is assinine.  We fans are not losing sleep or productivity in our daily lives over the state of Iowa football we are just frustrated at the product that use to make us happy for a few hours has been turned into a laughing stock in the college football arena.  We are pissed because we see the ineptness of the current leaders and we want better for our money and our time investment we also want better for the student athletes who really put in the time.  Come back and post when you have a clue to why fans of Iowa football deserve better and why its a little more than a hobby.

Palirider13 wrote: .....or stop living vicariously through a group of kids and go out and find a hobby that actually involves you? Listen to yourselves. A lot of the top programs in the country have their ups and downs. Do you really expect Iowa to NEVER lose? Some of you act like a losing season is the zombie apocolypse. EVERYBODY RUN! Seriously though, get ahold of yourself.

I love how when people are PO'ed after a 4-8 season, which was preceded by two very disappointing seasons, people make posts like this saying that everyone must expect to go 12-0.  Wrong, I think alot of people would be pretty happy with 8-4 or 9-3.

Is there no middle ground?  Good grief.

kungfuyou wrote:

RJSimmons wrote:

rjhindm wrote: I'm going to continue to support the team...(even if I don't agree with the coaches decisions).  I am not bandwagon fan...and never will be.

Part of the problem, not the solution. IMO. 
To each their own.

2nd that RJ

99% of the kids that play work their butts off on the field.  I will support them, and cheer them on.  To say that is part of the problem is just dumb in my mind.  I understand everyone being upset, trust me I would like to see a coaching change because this style is just upsetting to watch.  That being said I have always been a hawkeye fan, and always will be.  The players have chose to to Hawkeyes as well, I take pride that the Hawkeyes have some of the best fans in College football, and I would like to keep it that way.

rjhindm wrote:

kungfuyou wrote:

RJSimmons wrote:

rjhindm wrote: I'm going to continue to support the team...(even if I don't agree with the coaches decisions).  I am not bandwagon fan...and never will be.

Part of the problem, not the solution. IMO. 
To each their own.

2nd that RJ

99% of the kids that play work their butts off on the field.  I will support them, and cheer them on.  To say that is part of the problem is just dumb in my mind.  I understand everyone being upset, trust me I would like to see a coaching change because this style is just upsetting to watch.  That being said I have always been a hawkeye fan, and always will be.  The players have chose to to Hawkeyes as well, I take pride that the Hawkeyes have some of the best fans in College football, and I would like to keep it that way.

Its only dumb if you want things to change but are not willing to make the sacrifices necessary to facilitate that change. The players will be supported regardless of whether you renew your season tickets, or not. They are on scholarship. Their school is paid for. They get a college education. I dont see how it helps for them to hear people booing on game day, because the coaches are incompetent.
Like I said, to each his own.
I know that the only way to get something to change with the football program, is to hit it in the bottom line. And that means, STOP renewing donations and season tickets. So that is my suggestion.

Gotcha. Being a season ticket holder and having gone to 7 Hawkeye road games over the last 2 years, don't accuse me of not being a fan. I go to the games instead of wasting my time, crying on message boards 24 hours a day. Iowa had 4 great seasons in the last 20 years and suddenly everybody expects the Hawks to win every game. The same posters complain about 8-4 seasons. Ferentz has his questionable moments and he's made some really bad calls over the years, but who's gonna replace him and do a better job? Oh, and what exactly does Hawkeye Football give to communities?
---------------------------------------------
--- hawkduds wrote:

Palirider13 wrote: .....or stop living vicariously through a group of kids and go out and find a hobby that actually involves you? Listen to yourselves. A lot of the top programs in the country have their ups and downs. Do you really expect Iowa to NEVER lose? Some of you act like a losing season is the zombie apocolypse. EVERYBODY RUN! Seriously though, get ahold of yourself.

This isn't the same as getting upset over a teeball game!  College Football is a big business and it brings millions of dollars to our communities it funds scholarships for hundreds of kids it brings a sense of pride to Iowans your comparison is assinine.  We fans are not losing sleep or productivity in our daily lives over the state of Iowa football we are just frustrated at the product that use to make us happy for a few hours has been turned into a laughing stock in the college football arena.  We are pissed because we see the ineptness of the current leaders and we want better for our money and our time investment we also want better for the student athletes who really put in the time.  Come back and post when you have a clue to why fans of Iowa football deserve better and why its a little more than a hobby.

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rjhindm wrote:

kungfuyou wrote:

RJSimmons wrote:

rjhindm wrote: I'm going to continue to support the team...(even if I don't agree with the coaches decisions).  I am not bandwagon fan...and never will be.

Part of the problem, not the solution. IMO. 
To each their own.

2nd that RJ

99% of the kids that play work their butts off on the field.  I will support them, and cheer them on.  To say that is part of the problem is just dumb in my mind.  I understand everyone being upset, trust me I would like to see a coaching change because this style is just upsetting to watch.  That being said I have always been a hawkeye fan, and always will be.  The players have chose to to Hawkeyes as well, I take pride that the Hawkeyes have some of the best fans in College football, and I would like to keep it that way.

rjhindm, Gary Barta and Kirk Ferentz are banking on fans like you.  You don't like what is going on but you feel an obligation and desire to still "support the team".

Just remember, the fan has one and only one vote - his wallet.

This says it all right here, the season is over and I am glad, KF and this garbage program has also made me lose all interest in CFB in general tho and I hate that, but I have zero interest in any games going on today and could care less about bowl season....

Palirider13 wrote:
Gotcha. Being a season ticket holder and having gone to 7 Hawkeye road games over the last 2 years, don't accuse me of not being a fan. I go to the games instead of wasting my time, crying on message boards 24 hours a day. Iowa had 4 great seasons in the last 20 years and suddenly everybody expects the Hawks to win every game. The same posters complain about 8-4 seasons. Ferentz has his questionable moments and he's made some really bad calls over the years, but who's gonna replace him and do a better job? Oh, and what exactly does Hawkeye Football give to communities?
---------------------------------------------
--- hawkduds wrote:

Palirider13 wrote: .....or stop living vicariously through a group of kids and go out and find a hobby that actually involves you? Listen to yourselves. A lot of the top programs in the country have their ups and downs. Do you really expect Iowa to NEVER lose? Some of you act like a losing season is the zombie apocolypse. EVERYBODY RUN! Seriously though, get ahold of yourself.

This isn't the same as getting upset over a teeball game!  College Football is a big business and it brings millions of dollars to our communities it funds scholarships for hundreds of kids it brings a sense of pride to Iowans your comparison is assinine.  We fans are not losing sleep or productivity in our daily lives over the state of Iowa football we are just frustrated at the product that use to make us happy for a few hours has been turned into a laughing stock in the college football arena.  We are pissed because we see the ineptness of the current leaders and we want better for our money and our time investment we also want better for the student athletes who really put in the time.  Come back and post when you have a clue to why fans of Iowa football deserve better and why its a little more than a hobby.

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Come on man your on here posting right now.  You go to all these games and you can't see what Hawkeye Football brings to the community.  Do you think there would be over 100,000 people hanging out on Melrose without Hawkeye Football?  You think all the hotels and restaurants would be full on fri and sat during football season.  Open your eyes a successfull Hawkeye Football program does these things.  I don't expect great seasons every year but what I do expect is competent coaching from somebody making more money than any other paid official in the state of Iowa.  You keep going to all these games Kirk loves you and so does Barta, I'll just hang out here on this message board with all these other so called fans that aren't satisfied with 4-8.

True, but I still carry my Freshman status. I love the Hawks but c'mon. I think people's expectations are way too high. I really want what's best for the team but when people post that they're so mad that they're going to stop donating money to the hospital. ....

---------------------------------------------
--- hawkduds wrote:

Palirider13 wrote:
Gotcha. Being a season ticket holder and having gone to 7 Hawkeye road games over the last 2 years, don't accuse me of not being a fan. I go to the games instead of wasting my time, crying on message boards 24 hours a day. Iowa had 4 great seasons in the last 20 years and suddenly everybody expects the Hawks to win every game. The same posters complain about 8-4 seasons. Ferentz has his questionable moments and he's made some really bad calls over the years, but who's gonna replace him and do a better job? Oh, and what exactly does Hawkeye Football give to communities?
---------------------------------------------
--- hawkduds wrote:

Palirider13 wrote: .....or stop living vicariously through a group of kids and go out and find a hobby that actually involves you? Listen to yourselves. A lot of the top programs in the country have their ups and downs. Do you really expect Iowa to NEVER lose? Some of you act like a losing season is the zombie apocolypse. EVERYBODY RUN! Seriously though, get ahold of yourself.

This isn't the same as getting upset over a teeball game!  College Football is a big business and it brings millions of dollars to our communities it funds scholarships for hundreds of kids it brings a sense of pride to Iowans your comparison is assinine.  We fans are not losing sleep or productivity in our daily lives over the state of Iowa football we are just frustrated at the product that use to make us happy for a few hours has been turned into a laughing stock in the college football arena.  We are pissed because we see the ineptness of the current leaders and we want better for our money and our time investment we also want better for the student athletes who really put in the time.  Come back and post when you have a clue to why fans of Iowa football deserve better and why its a little more than a hobby.

---------------------------------------------

Come on man your on here posting right now.  You go to all these games and you can't see what Hawkeye Football brings to the community.  Do you think there would be over 100,000 people hanging out on Melrose without Hawkeye Football?  You think all the hotels and restaurants would be full on fri and sat during football season.  Open your eyes a successfull Hawkeye Football program does these things.  I don't expect great seasons every year but what I do expect is competent coaching from somebody making more money than any other paid official in the state of Iowa.  You keep going to all these games Kirk loves you and so does Barta, I'll just hang out here on this message board with all these other so called fans that aren't satisfied with 4-8.

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Palirider you don't get it. Plenty of posters have well stated their case since I started this thread, and especially the ones who have tried to talk some sense into you since you posted this morning. But you still don't understand. Where in my original post did I say ANYTHING about not continuing to donate money to the U or the Children's hospital? Nowhere. And I re-read everyone else's posts and I failed to see anything of the sort there either. We are tired of this program sliding further and further down as the seasons pass, without any real changes being made. I stated my loyalty in the first paragraph of the thread. Read it again. I will still continue to donate, my quandary is what to do with my season tix. I simply wanted to see what others were thinking of doing, in the name of maybe making a difference. I am not entitled - my name is not Kirk Ferentz. I do not expect 10 plus wins every year. But I do expect to compete for the B10 title more often than not, and yes, a national title every once and a while. At least be a part of the discussion. Instead the Hawks now are virtually irrelevant, and no, there is not much hope on the horizon. Competent coaching would have made the difference in more of the losses than not in years past, not to mention it would be unlikely that the Hawks would be in the recruiting predicament they now reside in. At least I would expect one to learn from his mistakes. But KF doesn't. And we have an AD that has suffocated Iowa fans with the worst contract in the history of college athletics. Say what you will but I have supported this team and this coaching staff unconditionally and financially for years. I can no longer say that about the coach and the staff. And I am not renewing next season. And it sucks, but until this coach leaves Iowa City and takes his incompetent followers with him, I plan on holding to that. Do yourself a favor and read the posts before you spill your garbage.

Palirider13 wrote: True, but I still carry my Freshman status. I love the Hawks but c'mon. I think people's expectations are way too high. I really want what's best for the team but when people post that they're so mad that they're going to stop donating money to the hospital. ....

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--- hawkduds wrote:



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When that is the only option you have, to facilitate change, thats what you do. 
Why do you think expectations are too high? Is it too much to expect the coaching staff to be able to run a 2 minute offense? Is it too much to expect the team to perform basic fundamentals like blocking and tackling. And if they simply cant perform the basics, is it too much to expect the coaching staff to recruit players that can?
Exactly what part are we expecting too much from?

Email Brian Ferentz and let him know that he needs to kick his old man in the ass to be more competitive, aggressive, recruit better, and just show up with a team that is hungry enough to want to kick the ever living crap out of the other team.  After watching Wisky last night, I hope KF was watching it with Brian and the son was saying this is how we are suppose to play the game.  Not be a bunch of pussies on the field or on the sideline like Iowa has been the last four years.

This will help as I'm sure brian is a little more intune with email or possibly hit him up on twitter.

brian-ferentz@uiowa.edu