A New Look on the Iowa Sideline for the First Time in Decades

For the first time in decades, someone other than Hayden Fry or Kirk Ferentz will be listed as the head coach of the Iowa Hawkeye football team.

Yes, this anomaly will only last one week. Kirk Ferentz was suspended for the season opener against Illinois State for a recruiting violation. Sports Illustrated and others report that it involved starting quarterback Cade McNamara. But consider this. It will be the first time since 1978 that someone not named Fry or Ferentz will lead the Hawkeyes out of the tunnel at Kinnick Stadium.

If you're my age you probably don't remember any other coach for Iowa football. I was five when Hayden Fry took over in Iowa City. Prior to Hayden coming up from Texas, the Hawkeyes were coming off four years under head coach Bob Commings. Ask Iowa fans who do remember those years, there was a lot of losing. Commings compiled a record of just 18-37 in his four years with Iowa. Ask any Iowa fan about the 1970s. Dark times for Hawkeye football.

So when Hayden Fry arrived in 1979 it was a breath of fresh air. And it wasn't long before Fry had the Hawkeyes winning again. After losing seasons in 1979 and 1980, Fry and the Hawkeyes broke through in 1981 winning a share of the Big Ten title and going to the Rose Bowl. Hayden would go on to win the Big Ten two more times at Iowa and lead the Hawkeyes to countless bowl game victories. He became Iowa's all-time wins leader and had a career record of 143-89 at Iowa. Fry would step down following the 1998 season. He is an Iowa legend and icon. We even have a festival held annually in his honor, FRY Fest!

Kirk Ferentz was a former Hayden Fry assistant. He was named Fry's successor at Iowa in 1999. After a slow start that included a one-win season during his first year as head coach, Iowa broke through under Ferentz in 2001 with a win in the Alamo Bowl. The following year, Iowa won the first of its two Big Ten titles under Ferentz and played in the Orange Bowl. Ferentz has led Iowa to 21 bowl game appearances including the Rose Bowl in 2015. He is Iowa's all-time wins leader with a career record of 196-119. And for the first time in his Iowa career, he won't be on the sidelines during the home opener.

Due to the suspension of Ferentz, SI reports that Seth Wallace will act as the interim head coach on Saturday against Illinois State. Kirk will be back on the sidelines next week for the Cy-Hawk game against Iowa State.

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