IOWA CITY, Iowa – Monday’s Hawk Fanatic radio show and podcast was filled with mixed emotions as Don Patterson paid tribute to his close friend and former coaching colleague Bill Brashier, and also talked about the Iowa football team’s 24-3 victory at Purdue this past Saturday.

Brashier passed away this past Saturday at the age of 93.

He and Patterson both were members of Hayden Fry’s coaching staff at Iowa from 1979 until Brashier retired after the 1995 season. Patterson stayed on the staff until Fry retired after the 1998 season.

Brashier, who served as Fry’s defensive coordinator during his entire 17 years on the staff, was the architect of Iowa’s legendary 1981 defense that paved the way to a Big Ten title, and to a berth in the Rose Bowl.

Brashier didn’t need or want the spotlight, and Patterson said he never heard Brashier say a curse word, or hardly ever raise his voice.

Brashier was a defensive mastermind and he allowed Fry to focus almost exclusively on offense.

Patterson and Brashier were part of an Iowa coaching staff in the 1980s that also included Barry Alvarez, Bill Snyder, Kirk Ferentz and Bob Stoops. It is regarded as one of the best coaching staffs ever at the collegiate level.

Brashier and Fry were both born in Eastland, Texas and were close friends before they came to Iowa in 1979 from North Texas where Brashier still is the school’s all-time leader in interceptions with 19.

Patterson said Brashier loved music and that he liked to play the guitar.

Patterson spent the first 30 minutes of the podcast talking about Brashier’s impact on and off the football field.

Patterson also looked back at Iowa’s victory over Purdue and ahead to Saturday’s game against Wisconsin at Kinnick Stadium.

We always appreciate Don’s unique insight.