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November 14, 2012
Extra Kirk
Tom Kakert
HawkeyeReport.com It was more of the more interesting and spirited post press conferences in recent memory as Kirk Ferentz took a few questions about the recent firing of an academic adviser and if he worked with the Iowa Football team in recent years. Find out what happened and read what Ferentz had to say in this edition of Extra Kirk.
Q: Do you envision the day when you will have a full time recruiting coordinator?
FERENTZ: No necessarily right now, but things have changed so much in five years, in three years, in two years. I wouldn't rule it out. We kind of had that back when we got here, but things have changed, so I wouldn't rule it out.
Q: How about with Eric Johnson's current responsibilities as a recruiting coordinator versus on the field coaching, is it about 80/20?
FERENTZ: I can't give you percentages, but it is certainly increased. Again, just because of the nature of the way things are. That individual has to have more freedom to leave a staff room and tend to things because the way it has accelerated, it has made it a challenge to get anything done football wise. Maybe that is the right approach. People have tried that and they aren't in our conference anymore.
Q: Do that is not the right direction?
FERENTZ: It depends on what works for you. There are teams that do a really good job with that.
Q: So is it safe to say you are thinking in the full-time direction?
FERENTZ: Not really. Not right now. If two years from now it looks like the best thing. The door is not shut on it.
Q: It's been out there that you had your players cut out contact with Peter Gray upon learning about his behavior. Is that true?
FERENTZ: Where is that? Been out where?
Q: I think it was a radio station.
FERENTZ: Well then we know that it's true, right. (laugh) With all due respect, I do an hour of radio every week.
Q: Have you had your players cut off contact with that person, Peter Gray?
FERENTZ: I would not know that. Maybe they have, maybe they haven't. I have yet to decide that.
Q: Looking at Denard Robinson, what changes for you guys defensively as opposed to going up against someone like a Dan Persa, who is also mobile, but uses that more in the pocket to buy time.
FERENTZ: The balance would be more towards designed runs. They didn't really design many runs with Dan Persa. Whereas with Denard, there are a lot of designed plays with him to keep the ball, or have the option to keep the ball. That is the difference probably.
Q: What changes defensively when you face that quarterback who has more designed runs?
FERENTZ: It is an equal challenge because you never know what the percentage is going to be. I am distracted by that "it's out there". I gotta apologize, but that is so bad.
Q: I was just trying to confirm something that we heard.
FERENTZ: From where?
Q: A radio station here. I was just trying to get it from the horse's mouth.
FERENTZ: What is your question? I will answer the question. But, something out there.
Q: With the person who was let go last week, did you have your players not have contact with him after you heard about the allegations made towards him?
FERENTZ: The person in question didn't work with our players.
Q: So he never worked with them?
FERENTZ: He did in the past, but it has been a while.
Q: Maybe some of this is coming because some of your former players tweeted about it.
FERENTZ: Ok, I am not out there where I know all that stuff.
STEVE ROE (SID): Ok guys, that's enough. He can't comment anyway. Thanks.
FERENTZ: What was the question? I am just totally distracted now.
Q: With a guy like Matt Tobin, a guy you find. A guy you make into a player. The bounty that this state can give you is a guy like him, right?
FERENTZ: Yeah, hopefully. A guy like Bruggeman.
Q: How does that process work? Are they what sustains you?
FERENTZ: No matter what kind of offense you run you need linemen. You are more apt to find a lineman than a running back. A guy like Weisman could have grown up in Iowa.
Q: Or like a Percy Harvin.
FERENTZ: Well, those guys probably aren't going to walk-on. (laugh) Everyone knew about them.
Q: You can't find them in Iowa.
FERENTZ: Well, you might, but the whole world is going to know about them. He was like that back in high school.
Q: You have to take satisfaction with a guy like Tobin and how he has developed.
FERENTZ: Yeah. He has worked his tail off. He is a self made guy. We liked him, just like we liked Brett Greenwood coming out of high school. You never know how it is going to develop or how it is going to materialize.
Q: When you look at turnover margin, you lead the Big Ten in that category. Are you surprised it hasn't led to more success?
FERENTZ: Yes and no. It is a really important stat. That is something we have always believed. The one thing we are seeing right now is that it doesn't guarantee success when it comes to wins and losses. Flip that around, it is a real challenge to be bad in that area and still win. You really have to be talented. It's hard, but we have been up high in that area and didn't have a great year, like in 2007, I think. It sure helps your chances. That is a really important stat.
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