Happy birthday Hayden Fry, and thanks for…
Iowa's legendary head FB coach was born on this day in 1929
By Pat Harty
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Happy birthday Hayden Fry, and thank you for:
Ending Ohio State and Michigan’s stranglehold on the Big Ten, which had lasted from 1968 to 1980.
Changing the way teams played offense in the Big Ten, shifting from the three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust mindset to a more balanced attack with passing as a key component.
Creating and branding the Tiger hawk logo, which is now one of the most recognizable logos in college sports.
Assembling arguably the greatest coaching staff in Big Ten history.
Defeating Iowa State 15 straight times from 1983 to 1997 with many of the games not even competitive.
Keeping my older brother on scholarship in 1979 after his career was cut short by a staph infection.
Making people laugh with your unique Texas-rooted sense of humor, and with your funny catch phrases and tall tales.
Staying loyal when you could’ve easily bolted from Iowa for a traditional blue blood such as USC after having rebuilt the Iowa program.
Breaking the color barrier in the Southwest Conference by recruiting Jerry LeVias at a time in the mid-1960s when that took tremendous courage, nerve and compassion.
Not holding a grudge against somebody who once wrote a column in which he crossed the line at your expense.
Recruiting Reggie Roby and giving fans a chance to watch his punts soar to heights and distances never seen before.
Recognizing the plight of the Iowa farmers and helping to support their cause with the exposure from the Iowa football team.
Calling the quarterback boot leg against Michigan State in 1985.
Laying the foundation for what is now called Tight End U in reference to Iowa’s long-standing success with developing multi-dimensional tight ends.
Seeing in Chuck Long what other head coaches didn’t see in him at the time.
Taking a chance on an Iowa program that had suffered through 19 straight non-winning seasons, and for believing in Bump Elliott, whose previous two head coaching hires – Frank Lauterbur and Bob Commings – had failed miserably.
Understanding the value of having a strong walk-on presence from a roster standpoint, and using walk-ons to play key roles.
Hiring a 26-year-old young man from Pittsburgh named Kirk Ferentz to coach your offensive line in 1981, even though he had very little experience.
Getting permission from the Pittsburgh Steelers during their glory years to overhaul Iowa’s uniforms in the Steelers’ image. That image still stands to this day.
Creating the “swarm” in which the Iowa players come onto the field in a tight pack and holding hands in a show of solidarity.
Having the visiting locker room at Kinnick Stadium painted pink as a phycological ploy.
Accomplishing what many Iowa fans thought was close to impossible by making Hawkeye football a winner again.
So again, happy birthday coach Fry, and RIP.