Post by tog on Aug 1, 2005 7:20:59 GMT -6
cool story my wife sent me about a good coach
>Kirk Ferentz: Winning with Class
>
>Over the past few weeks, readers have maybe read this
>column and been reminded of some of the things that
>are wrong with college and professional football. But
>for all the malcontents and athletes who cannot seem
>to control their actions, or just make life altering
>bad decisions, there are also those who exemplify the
>finest aspect of the sport with not only their
>success, but more importantly, their actions on and
>off the field.
>
>One of those people is head coach Kirk Ferentz of
>Iowa.
>
>Now Ferentz would likely be the first person to take
>issue with me for writing a piece that focused solely
>on him. That is just the type of person he is. Ferentz
>is not one to promote himself, or his impressive
>accomplishments. He is more content just doing his job
>and running one of the cleanest and successful
>programs in the country. But make no mistake about it,
>that is by design and not accident.
>
>In a time where there is so much stress on winning,
>far too many coaches have compromised their programs
>for the sake of the almighty win.
>
>Players vital to the success of the team are slapped
>on the wrist instead of disciplined, and the integrity
>of the program has suffered. At Iowa, the very
>foundation for Ferentz' program is discipline and
>integrity.
>
>>From the opening practice, it is made clear that no
>one player is bigger than the team, regardless of
>talent level. What is in the best interest of the team
>is what is paramount with Ferentz. And that extends
>beyond the football field itself.
>
>Over the years, many schools have used female students
>to entertain potential recruits. For those who follow
>college football at all, it goes without saying how
>much of a mess has been created by the tactic. So much
>so, that the NCAA banned the practice of using female
>"hostesses" to help recruit athletes after the scandal
>at Colorado. But Ferentz was ahead of the pack from
>the beginning on the issue.
>
>When he first came to Iowa City in 1999, Ferentz
>wanted no part of having female students involved in
>the recruiting process. Instead, he asked men and
>women volunteers from the Students Today Alumni
>Tomorrow Ambassadors to help show athletes around
>campus. Ferentz wanted to eliminate a potential
>problem before it could hurt the program.
>
>Ferentz doesn't tolerate the type of behavior that
>seems to be a growing problem among college players.
>While he does not turn his back on players who cross
>the line, Ferentz gives them only so much leeway
>before putting his foot down. But it hasn't been easy,
>and he has had to revise his discipline policy since
>coming to Iowa.
>
>Benny Sapp was a valued starter at cornerback, but
>could not keep himself out of trouble. Ferentz gave
>Sapp more than one strike, but finally had to dismiss
>him from the team in August 2002. Other players who
>have violated Ferentz' disciplinary policy have been
>suspended, but many have learned from their mistakes.
>And that may be the most important part. The players
>learned there are consequences for their actions.
>
>Ferentz also expects class from the Iowa fans, who
>live and die every week with the Hawkeyes. In 2003,
>some of the Iowa faithful donned T-shirts that were
>less than flattering for the Michigan game. Ferentz
>took time out after the game to address the issue.
>Ferentz did not berate those who wore the shirts or
>give a sermon; he simply asked Hawk fans to refrain
>from wearing something that may be offensive.
>
>And the class he expects the football team and its
>supporters to conduct themselves with, he also expects
>from himself. When the Hawkeyes shocked nearly
>everyone back in 2002, Ferentz was asked to appear on
>a national radio show hosted by a high profile sports
>journalist. But this celebrity host was known as much
>for his shock value and disrespect for everyone and
>everything, as he was for his talking ability. Ferentz
>politely declined the invitation because that wasn't
>his style. Since then, he and his team have been prime
>targets for the jilted "Shock Jock" of the sports
>airwaves. But Ferentz practiced what he teaches to his
>players. And that meant off the field of play as well.
>
>
>And what Ferentz can do with his players has been
>impressive to say the least. Because a player does not
>work out at a certain position does not exile him to
>the bench. It means something far different at Iowa
>than at other schools.
>
>Ferentz and his staff took a lanky tight end from
>Masonville, Iowa and turned him into the best college
>tackle in the game in Robert Gallery. He transformed
>two other tight ends into NFL caliber offensive
>linemen in Bruce Nelson and Eric Steinbach. He also
>convinced a walk-on linebacker that tight end would be
>a great fit. Dallas Clark now plays for the Colts.
>
>But his teams also defy logic at times. It is almost
>as if the bigger the adversity, the more the Hawkeyes
>feed off of it. After losing Clark, Steinbach, Nelson
>and Heisman finalist Brad Banks, the Hawks won 10
>games in 2003. In 2004, the Hawks lost Gallery, Bob
>Sanders, Nathan Chandler and Fred Russell. Then
>injuries depleted the entire backfield. But the
>Hawkeyes still won 10 games. Obviously, we could go
>on, but Ferentz and the success of his Hawkeyes are
>anything but a secret at this point.
>
>Ferentz doesn't buy into the hype, and his players do
>not seek it out. While overlooked much of the time by
>the national media, neither the coach nor his players
>mind much. Both Ferentz and his players are happy to
>just let what they do on game day do all their talking
>for them.
>
>Kirk Ferentz is like any other coach in any other
>sport. He wants to win big. That comes with the job.
>But what separates him from the others is that he
>doesn't become small in the process.
>
>There are those who say a football team is a
>reflection of the man who coaches them. If there is
>any truth to that statement, Ferentz and the Hawkeyes
>may be good examples.
>
>After the spring game of 2004, Ferentz was leaving the
>football complex with his youngest son. He came upon
>some Hawk fans that had been chatting with offensive
>lineman Mike Elgin. Among them was a couple who had a
>son with muscular dystrophy. After a long day, it
>would have been easy for Ferentz to exchange polite
>greetings and head home with his son for dinner. But
>Ferentz stopped and talked to the young man and his
>family for nearly 20 minutes while his son waited in
>the car. And when it was finally time to leave,
>Ferentz thanked them for coming out to see the team.
>
>Maybe nice guys don't finish last. Maybe they just win
>with class.
>Kirk Ferentz: Winning with Class
>
>Over the past few weeks, readers have maybe read this
>column and been reminded of some of the things that
>are wrong with college and professional football. But
>for all the malcontents and athletes who cannot seem
>to control their actions, or just make life altering
>bad decisions, there are also those who exemplify the
>finest aspect of the sport with not only their
>success, but more importantly, their actions on and
>off the field.
>
>One of those people is head coach Kirk Ferentz of
>Iowa.
>
>Now Ferentz would likely be the first person to take
>issue with me for writing a piece that focused solely
>on him. That is just the type of person he is. Ferentz
>is not one to promote himself, or his impressive
>accomplishments. He is more content just doing his job
>and running one of the cleanest and successful
>programs in the country. But make no mistake about it,
>that is by design and not accident.
>
>In a time where there is so much stress on winning,
>far too many coaches have compromised their programs
>for the sake of the almighty win.
>
>Players vital to the success of the team are slapped
>on the wrist instead of disciplined, and the integrity
>of the program has suffered. At Iowa, the very
>foundation for Ferentz' program is discipline and
>integrity.
>
>>From the opening practice, it is made clear that no
>one player is bigger than the team, regardless of
>talent level. What is in the best interest of the team
>is what is paramount with Ferentz. And that extends
>beyond the football field itself.
>
>Over the years, many schools have used female students
>to entertain potential recruits. For those who follow
>college football at all, it goes without saying how
>much of a mess has been created by the tactic. So much
>so, that the NCAA banned the practice of using female
>"hostesses" to help recruit athletes after the scandal
>at Colorado. But Ferentz was ahead of the pack from
>the beginning on the issue.
>
>When he first came to Iowa City in 1999, Ferentz
>wanted no part of having female students involved in
>the recruiting process. Instead, he asked men and
>women volunteers from the Students Today Alumni
>Tomorrow Ambassadors to help show athletes around
>campus. Ferentz wanted to eliminate a potential
>problem before it could hurt the program.
>
>Ferentz doesn't tolerate the type of behavior that
>seems to be a growing problem among college players.
>While he does not turn his back on players who cross
>the line, Ferentz gives them only so much leeway
>before putting his foot down. But it hasn't been easy,
>and he has had to revise his discipline policy since
>coming to Iowa.
>
>Benny Sapp was a valued starter at cornerback, but
>could not keep himself out of trouble. Ferentz gave
>Sapp more than one strike, but finally had to dismiss
>him from the team in August 2002. Other players who
>have violated Ferentz' disciplinary policy have been
>suspended, but many have learned from their mistakes.
>And that may be the most important part. The players
>learned there are consequences for their actions.
>
>Ferentz also expects class from the Iowa fans, who
>live and die every week with the Hawkeyes. In 2003,
>some of the Iowa faithful donned T-shirts that were
>less than flattering for the Michigan game. Ferentz
>took time out after the game to address the issue.
>Ferentz did not berate those who wore the shirts or
>give a sermon; he simply asked Hawk fans to refrain
>from wearing something that may be offensive.
>
>And the class he expects the football team and its
>supporters to conduct themselves with, he also expects
>from himself. When the Hawkeyes shocked nearly
>everyone back in 2002, Ferentz was asked to appear on
>a national radio show hosted by a high profile sports
>journalist. But this celebrity host was known as much
>for his shock value and disrespect for everyone and
>everything, as he was for his talking ability. Ferentz
>politely declined the invitation because that wasn't
>his style. Since then, he and his team have been prime
>targets for the jilted "Shock Jock" of the sports
>airwaves. But Ferentz practiced what he teaches to his
>players. And that meant off the field of play as well.
>
>
>And what Ferentz can do with his players has been
>impressive to say the least. Because a player does not
>work out at a certain position does not exile him to
>the bench. It means something far different at Iowa
>than at other schools.
>
>Ferentz and his staff took a lanky tight end from
>Masonville, Iowa and turned him into the best college
>tackle in the game in Robert Gallery. He transformed
>two other tight ends into NFL caliber offensive
>linemen in Bruce Nelson and Eric Steinbach. He also
>convinced a walk-on linebacker that tight end would be
>a great fit. Dallas Clark now plays for the Colts.
>
>But his teams also defy logic at times. It is almost
>as if the bigger the adversity, the more the Hawkeyes
>feed off of it. After losing Clark, Steinbach, Nelson
>and Heisman finalist Brad Banks, the Hawks won 10
>games in 2003. In 2004, the Hawks lost Gallery, Bob
>Sanders, Nathan Chandler and Fred Russell. Then
>injuries depleted the entire backfield. But the
>Hawkeyes still won 10 games. Obviously, we could go
>on, but Ferentz and the success of his Hawkeyes are
>anything but a secret at this point.
>
>Ferentz doesn't buy into the hype, and his players do
>not seek it out. While overlooked much of the time by
>the national media, neither the coach nor his players
>mind much. Both Ferentz and his players are happy to
>just let what they do on game day do all their talking
>for them.
>
>Kirk Ferentz is like any other coach in any other
>sport. He wants to win big. That comes with the job.
>But what separates him from the others is that he
>doesn't become small in the process.
>
>There are those who say a football team is a
>reflection of the man who coaches them. If there is
>any truth to that statement, Ferentz and the Hawkeyes
>may be good examples.
>
>After the spring game of 2004, Ferentz was leaving the
>football complex with his youngest son. He came upon
>some Hawk fans that had been chatting with offensive
>lineman Mike Elgin. Among them was a couple who had a
>son with muscular dystrophy. After a long day, it
>would have been easy for Ferentz to exchange polite
>greetings and head home with his son for dinner. But
>Ferentz stopped and talked to the young man and his
>family for nearly 20 minutes while his son waited in
>the car. And when it was finally time to leave,
>Ferentz thanked them for coming out to see the team.
>
>Maybe nice guys don't finish last. Maybe they just win
>with class.