Introducing another side of Kirk Ferentz: Analytical Kirk
IOWA CITY, Iowa – From Old Kirk to New Kirk to now we have Analytical Kirk.
He revealed himself to the media for the first time on Wednesday, although, Analytical Kirk has been here since the beginning of the season.
Kirk Ferentz told reporters on Wednesday that his staff has been meeting with an analytical company every Thursday throughout the season to discuss clock management and other game-time probabilities. Ferentz brought up the subject as part of his defense against criticism in the wake of last Saturday’s 17-9 loss to Wisconsin at Kinnick Stadium.
Ferentz has been ripped on social media for one decision in particular.
Trailing 14-6 and facing a 4th-and-5 at the Wisconsin 20-yard line with 5:25 left in the fourth quarter, Ferentz chose to attempt a field goal, which was missed by Keith Duncan, instead of trying to score a touchdown, or instead of trying to at least get a first down.
The decision has been widely criticized and fuels the narrative that Ferentz is too conservative with the game on the line. Some fans think he should have kept the pressure on Wisconsin’s defense because it marked one of the few times that Iowa had driven into Badger territory.
Ferentz told reporters on Wednesday that three things had to occur to get the game tied and he didn’t like the odds. Iowa either had to get a first down, a touchdown and then complete a two-point conversion to even the score at 14.
“That’s what we chose to do at that time,” Ferentz said, “and I don’t regret that decision at all.”
Personally, I see it both ways.
Ferentz’s critics have a case for wanting to extend the drive because you have to strike when the iron is hot. And driving to the Badger 20 was about as hot as it got for Iowa this past Saturday.
Ferentz also has a case that might be perceived as timid and weak, but the odds were definitely stacked against Iowa to score a touchdown and convert a two-point conversion. His thinking was go for the points and then see what happens.
The advantage Ferentz’s critics have is the power of hindsight. It seems with Ferentz’s critics that everything Ferentz chooses not to do would have worked if only he had the guts to do it.
The New Kirk phenomenon from last season was blown way out of proportion and was mostly a product of winning. Fans were thrilled that Ferentz went for it a few times on fourth down and that he tried a couple fake field goals.
He also switched practice to the morning and switched quarterbacks.
Then the team started winning largely because of the new quarterback and that led to the rise of New Kirk, which has since given way to Old Kirk, mostly because the current team isn’t winning enough games.
And now we have Analytical Kirk, which is sort of funny, considering the 61-year old Ferentz is often accused of being stuck in the mud and too stubborn to evolve.
It turns out that Ferentz’s staff listened to a presentation this past spring from an analytical company and thought it was beneficial.
One thing led to another and now that same analytical company is supplying the Iowa coaches with valuable data on a weekly basis.
“You look at all the different ways to look at situations,” Ferentz said. “It’s fascinating about sports, fascinating about football and really in the NFL you do football 24 hours a day, there is no recruiting, no academic responsibility. No matter how much time you spend there’s always something to look at.
“This meeting has smoke coming out of your ears coming out of it. There’s two ways to look at everything probably.”
There is two ways to look at everything, but the perception of Ferentz changes dramatically based on wins and losses.
Iowa entered the bye week with a 5-3 record after many fans and media members had picked the Hawkeyes to perform much better. The search for answers has put the blame squarely on Ferentz’s shoulders and on the shoulders of Iowa offensive coordinator Greg Davis.
Some of his critics act as if Ferentz gives Davis three or four plays to call on a sheet of paper before each game with instructions to play it safe and to play not to lose.
It’s always easy to blame the schemes or Ferentz’s approach during tough times.
But the fact that Ferentz meets with an analytical company once a week during the season and considers it beneficial shows that he is willing to change with the times and that he trusts outsiders for information.
But Ferentz also trusts his instincts to make game-time decisions. That’ll never change, nor should it change because his instincts have carried him this far.