I, like you, have always defended Kirk. The offense, at times, has been decent but it's been atrocious the past four. Kirk continued for three years to gaslight us about Petras, and that was when I stopped defending him.
I appreciate the article, but think you are wrong about just about everything here! I think -
1. I bet this wasn't a Goetz call. I fully suspect that Brian likely said to Kirk in the past week that he's not going to put up any kind of fight to keep this job in light of the last several weeks, and the only question was when to announce it. And Kirk likely concluded that there was no way to bring Brian back next year.
And then they collectively decided that its better to announce it now, for recruiting and transfer portal purposes, than waiting. So they told Beth what they wanted, and she put out the announcement.
So I don't think there was meddling here from the AD.
2. I think Kirk will be back. And I don't think he's "bitter" in the sense that he could reasonably blame anyone but himself and Brian for the last two years - Kirk has enough character to recognize harsh truths like that. To say he is bitter is to suggest he's lacking character and common sense, and I don't think he is.
Further, he's only 68, but he seems like a young and healthy 68. He truly loves this job, this place, this team, these players and coaching. He doesn't have any other hobbies. I'm not saying he's going to be like Bear Bryant or Joe Paterno and pass away shortly after he retires, but he still has a really good gig.
3. I think we could get a very good OC. Someone like Joe Philbin or Cam Cameron? Maybe not those guys specifically, but guys like them. Kirk could pitch them on a pretty persuasive case- I've got 5 years left and so do you. I've got the best D coordinator in the country. Come join me, let's recruit like crazy, I'll give you the offense and let's do great things.
Kirk said this “My policy has typically been to evaluate everything - players, coaches, all that - postseason because in season we have a lot on our plates”. This is consistent with how he operated every year of his career. What makes you think he abruptly changed course (which is completely out of character) to fire his son he has yet to hold accountable publicly even once for his performance?
What makes you think any talented OC would ever sniff this job knowing Ferentz has it handcuffed? Or I guess what makes you think Ferentz has again suddenly turned a new leaf, completely out of character, and decided to unshackle the offense…a decision he chose not to make even when his own son’s career was at stake?
He absolutely did not make this decision and couldn’t be more pissed and bitter about it
It’s certainly a crazy concept to see decisions made that didn’t ultimately come from Kirk, so I understand the assumption. A new era for the athletic dept!
Appreciate your perspective. I find it hard to believe that with Kirk 2, maybe 3 years tops shy of passing Woody and Bo for most wins by a Big Ten coach in the Bowl era, is going to walk away now. Seems unfathomable to me that anyone as dedicated as Kirk is could retire so close to such a momentous milestone.
I acknowledge and value your stance. It's proving challenging for me to accept the idea that Ferentz will walk away now. I am astounded by the idea that someone as dedicated as Kirk would retire right before such an important moment in their career.
I, like you, have always defended Kirk. The offense, at times, has been decent but it's been atrocious the past four. Kirk continued for three years to gaslight us about Petras, and that was when I stopped defending him.
I appreciate the article, but think you are wrong about just about everything here! I think -
1. I bet this wasn't a Goetz call. I fully suspect that Brian likely said to Kirk in the past week that he's not going to put up any kind of fight to keep this job in light of the last several weeks, and the only question was when to announce it. And Kirk likely concluded that there was no way to bring Brian back next year.
And then they collectively decided that its better to announce it now, for recruiting and transfer portal purposes, than waiting. So they told Beth what they wanted, and she put out the announcement.
So I don't think there was meddling here from the AD.
2. I think Kirk will be back. And I don't think he's "bitter" in the sense that he could reasonably blame anyone but himself and Brian for the last two years - Kirk has enough character to recognize harsh truths like that. To say he is bitter is to suggest he's lacking character and common sense, and I don't think he is.
Further, he's only 68, but he seems like a young and healthy 68. He truly loves this job, this place, this team, these players and coaching. He doesn't have any other hobbies. I'm not saying he's going to be like Bear Bryant or Joe Paterno and pass away shortly after he retires, but he still has a really good gig.
3. I think we could get a very good OC. Someone like Joe Philbin or Cam Cameron? Maybe not those guys specifically, but guys like them. Kirk could pitch them on a pretty persuasive case- I've got 5 years left and so do you. I've got the best D coordinator in the country. Come join me, let's recruit like crazy, I'll give you the offense and let's do great things.
Kirk said this “My policy has typically been to evaluate everything - players, coaches, all that - postseason because in season we have a lot on our plates”. This is consistent with how he operated every year of his career. What makes you think he abruptly changed course (which is completely out of character) to fire his son he has yet to hold accountable publicly even once for his performance?
What makes you think any talented OC would ever sniff this job knowing Ferentz has it handcuffed? Or I guess what makes you think Ferentz has again suddenly turned a new leaf, completely out of character, and decided to unshackle the offense…a decision he chose not to make even when his own son’s career was at stake?
He absolutely did not make this decision and couldn’t be more pissed and bitter about it
I agree that it is clear that this was not a Kirk and Brian decision, my initial take was wrong.
It’s certainly a crazy concept to see decisions made that didn’t ultimately come from Kirk, so I understand the assumption. A new era for the athletic dept!
Appreciate your perspective. I find it hard to believe that with Kirk 2, maybe 3 years tops shy of passing Woody and Bo for most wins by a Big Ten coach in the Bowl era, is going to walk away now. Seems unfathomable to me that anyone as dedicated as Kirk is could retire so close to such a momentous milestone.
I acknowledge and value your stance. It's proving challenging for me to accept the idea that Ferentz will walk away now. I am astounded by the idea that someone as dedicated as Kirk would retire right before such an important moment in their career.