Trying to sell Iowa? Start with the coach
Most of the time, press releases sent to us media types are boring. They might contain important info such as game times being set and whatnot, but for the most part, they hit on the basics and not much else.
That isn’t the case with an e-mail that I received earlier this afternoon.
It had no subject line, but in the e-mail, it said it was addressed to “College Football Media” from Phil Haddy. Never having met Mr. Haddy, I did some checking and discovered he is the sports information director at the University of Iowa.
The headline on his e-mail: GET THE CORRECT FACTS ON IOWA FOOTBALL
I don’t know about you, but that seems pretty demanding to me. Haddy writes, “It seems popular for national pundits to criticize the University of Iowa football team these days. Many have said Iowa doesn’t belong on the same board with Florida, Texas, Alabama, Cincinnati, TCU, Oregon or Boise State.”
I have to admit — I stopped reading right there.
It wasn’t because the e-mail was whiny, although it was. It wasn’t because I’m not interested in Iowa, because I am. (I can’t for the life of me figure out how they’re still undefeated.) No, I quit reading because the person who should’ve received that e-mail instead of me was Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz.
Just last week he said, “Realistically, I still have a hard time picturing us in the top 10.”
If I was guessing, I doubt a fourth-quarter, come-from-behind victory against Indiana — Indiana??? — on Saturday did little to change the coach’s mind.
Listen, if the coach of the team has a hard time believing that it belongs in the top 10, much less the national championship conversation, it’s going to be difficult for an e-mail from the PR office to sway me.
Mr. Haddy might want to get Coach Ferentz on board before he worries any more about the college football media.
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Comments
The head coach’s job is to prepare his team for its games. This often includes downplaying his team’s ability to the media. The sports information director’s job is to promote his school’s teams. This often includes sending favorable information to the media. Both Kirk Ferentz and Phil Haddy are doing their respective jobs well.
Fact is, as Haddy’s email says, Iowa is better than Cincinnati, TCU, Boise State, and Oregon in all of the following categories:
* Number of opponents defeated that currently have winning records
* Total won-lost records (and winning %) of defeated opponents
* Total won-lost records of opponents defeated in their home stadiums (i.e. road wins)
* Won-lost records of remaining teams left on schedule
And, as Haddy also says, Iowa and Oregon have defeated the most opponents ranked in current BCS Top 25.
Wow, that’s a lame response Jenni. And rather ignorant.
Kirk is probably one of the most humble head coaches you’ll ever see interviewed in any sport, and he has the attitude that his team’s on field accomplishments and undefeated record should be enough to earn respect. So, no, he is not going to say anything to the press concerning where Iowa “deserves” to be ranked that is only going to distract his players from preparing for the next opponent.
Unfortunately getting the job done and winning games isn’t enough for the national media as Iowa is often cast aside and discredited. Remember Iowa has won 13-consecutive games, including an absolute demolition of an SEC team in a bowl game last year, yet any talk of our BCS rank by television analysts or on sports radio has been overwhelmingly negative.
A large misconception reporters harp on has been strength of opponents, which is absolutely ridiculous. The unbiased computer rankings have Iowa at #2 for a reason. So, yes, Mr. Haddy’s email was more than justified by providing facts concerning the Hawkeyes’ opponents to enlighten those who continue to bash the team’s success, which includes yourself. “Indiana???” Well, Indiana has the pieces there and could very well have been 6-2 heading into Iowa City last weekend rather than 4-4. The Hoosiers keep blowing leads but will be significantly improved next year and bowl-bound.
The season is far from over with three absolute wars in the next three weeks. Iowa has history with all three opponents and each will be gunning to bring us down. But if we come out in one piece and are 12-0 at the end of the season, don’t for a second think there isn’t a legitimate argument for the Hawkeyes playing in the national championship.
Of course you stopped reading before you could actually look at the facts. Instead you can conveniently ignore them and use Coach Ferentz’s motivational tactics as a reason to continue to be an uninformed media hack. I can’t believe this is what passes for journalism these days. Then again, internet access and the ability to read and write probably makes you one of the most intelligent journalist in all of Oklahoma.
Ugh, as an Iowa fan, I was thinking the same thing as you when this came out. This is so not Iowa and it’s a little embarrassing. Kirk Ferentz is Iowa. I actually don’t think Coach Kirk has a hard time thinking we are a top 10 team, but he knows we still have 3 games left.
Kirk is humble. Even if we do go undefeated, he will have a tough time braggin about himself and his team.
The stats that Iowa sent out are correct, but the tone with which the stats were sent is not Iowa.
“Mr. Haddy might want to get Coach Ferentz on board before he worries any more about the college football media”
That statement by Sally sounds a little “demanding”.
Hello Miss Carlson,
Iowa has beaten more BCS rated teams then any team in the top 10. Surprised at that? Iowa should definetely not be #8.
Go Hawks!
Jenni,
Agreed about Ferentz. And in a world where everyone hypes themselves to break through the clutter it’s refreshing when a coach plays the humility card. But, we both know he knows the facts.
It’s funny, when an unbaised source examines Iowa’s record of accomplishment this year they determine them to be the best in the land or second best at worst–I am of course referring to the computer polls.
Computers. It’s a shame they can’t write columns and pontificate too.
It seems likely to me that both men could be right. Iowa has played a difficult schedule. Three wins versus Top 25 teams in the BCS, two of those on the road. Good facts for an SID to have at his disposal. Of course it is the job of the head coach to remind us (and his players) that Iowa still has not played a complete game. If they do, and I hope it happens in Columbus, watch out.
Wow, must be a slow month in Oklahoma if you’re writing about the Hawkeyes. (oh yeah, your teams will both be playing pre-New Years bowls, in a below average Big 12…)
Anyways, I’ll give you credit for one thing Jenni, the comments on this blog post contain the fewest grammatical errors of any blog post on this site.
“Why doesn’t the Big XII have its own TV network?”
“Their alumni can’t afford cable!”
I received a link to this post from a friend, and followed it with the expectation that some cutthroat Iowa bashing would follow. Yet what I was served was a plate of sticky pasta lathered in weak sauce.
Seriously, you’re a professional sports columnist in Oklahoma, and thus should have no qualms with bashing a team in neither a state nor conference that concerns you, yet this is all you come up with?
My suggestion to you, don’t come unless you come strong.
Jenni, at least you didn’t unfairly criticize any Iowa football players. You went after Phil Haddy. He’s a man! Nevertheless…
If you want to to after a sports information director, you go after one who doesn’t do the right things. You don’t downgrade him because he does everything right. Attacking a sports information director for doing everything right. Are you kidding me? Don’t write about a sports information director who does everything right. Get your facts straight. That’s all I’ve got to say. It makes me want to puke.
I cannot believe that this chicklet still gets paid to write about sports. If it wasn’t for Gundy no one would even know your name. You should write him a Thank You card. Your articles are “Garbage” just like Gundy said, and your newspaper’s Norman catering “Make me sick”. Tell the Gaylords to sit on it and rotate for me!
unique view on sports….assume you are an expert on football and coaching with a masters? phd?…or something please!..if not – i guess that qualifies as “unique”
The Iowa team (and its fans) take after its coach. We take 1 game at a time. We don’t really care if you are buying this. We are 9 – 0 and having a great time. Coach Ferentz doesn’t need to sell his team – he just gets them ready to play each week and that seems to be working. I know you’d like him to rant and rave and justify our rankings – again 9 – 0 – speaks louder than Ferentz.