Hawk Fanatic podcast: Adam Haluska talks Iowa hoops; Don Patterson talks Kirk Ferentz’s OC hire
IOWA CITY, Iowa – The news broke on Sunday that Kirk Ferentz is hiring Tim Lester as his new offensive coordinator, and it caused a mixed reaction.
Some fans were less than pleased with the hire since Lester had been fired as the Western Michigan head coach following the 2022 season, and because Syracuse struggled with Lester as its play caller for 19 games in the 2014 and and 2015 seasons, finishing just 5-14 in those games.
Lester spent the 2023 season as an analyst for the Green Bay Packers.
Former Iowa offensive coordinator Don Patterson upon hearing that Lester would be hired as the new offensive coordinator made a call to former Syracuse head coach Scott Shafer, who was Lester’s boss in 2014 and 2015.
Shafer spoke very highly of Lester, according to Patterson, and explained some of the reasons why Syracuse struggled with Lester as its play caller.
The biggest reason is that Syracuse’s offense was decimated by injuries, including being down to its fifth-team quarterback, during much of Lester’s time as the play caller.
Shafer told Patterson that Lester would be a good fit with Kirk Ferentz, and a positive addition to the staff.
Patterson felt it was important for Iowa fans to hear what Shafer said about Lester, so Patterson agreed to come on Monday’s show.
The Patterson segment starts one hour into the two-hour podcast.
Former Iowa basketball star Adam Haluska also appears on the podcast to talk about Iowa men’s and women’s hoops. His segment starts 15 minutes into the podcast.
The Iowa men play at Indiana on Tuesday.