By Pat Harty

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Bill Brashier was the calm in Hayden Fry’s storm, the reliable and loyal sidekick, who cared more about gaining defensive leverage on the field than praise and attention off it.

While Fry used his offensive genius, gunslinger mentality, Texas-rooted charisma and vision to help rebuild the Iowa football program; Brashier’s presence as defensive coordinator allowed for Fry to focus almost exclusively on the offense.

Fry in some ways was a control freak, but not when it came to his defense.

Fry called the plays on offense, but Brashier ran the defense, with little to no resistance or meddling from Fry.

They were close and loyal friends, both born and raised in west Texas, and both passionate about the game of football.

Their personalities, on the other hand, couldn’t have been much different.

Fry was a joke or conversation waiting to happen, the kind of person who owned whatever room he entered just from his presence alone.

He said funny catch phrases, and he sometimes used his psychology major to punish or manipulate the media.

Brashier, meanwhile, was soft-spoken, humble and he rarely did interviews.

That was partly because assistant coaches didn’t do many interviews in those days, unless specifically requested, but also probably because Brashier preferred to work his magic behind the scenes and away from the spotlight.

Brashier served as Fry’s defensive coordinator from 1979 to 1995, and it was Iowa’s defense, along with special teams, that led to the long-awiated breakthrough in 1981.

The offense eventually caught up to the defense, but it was Brashier’s defense that paved the way for success under Fry.

Brashier’s name doesn’t get mentioned much anymore since he retired from coaching in 1995 and then passed away in 2022?

But new Iowa running back coach Jay Norvell made it a point to mention Brashier’s name as he met with the media this past Thursday.

Norvell was talking about his days as an Iowa defensive back – he played strong safety in the 1980s – when he mentioned the other players at the strong safety position, all three of whom were brothers.

“I was a strong safety and we sat by position,” Norvell said. “Bob Stoops was the the first chair. Mike (Stoops) was in the second chair, and I was in the third chair, and Mark Stoops was behind me.

“And we all became head coaches. And I really attribute that to Bill Brashier. What an amazing coach he was.”

Hayden Fry will forever be known, and deservedly so, for having built one of the greatest coaching trees in the history of college football; names such as Bob Stoops, Mike Stoops, Mark Stoops, Dan McCarney, Jay Norvell, Barry Alvarez, Don Patterson, Bill Snyder, and of course, Kirk Ferentz.

The fact that seven of those coaches played defense in college and that six would go on to coach mostly on defense can’t be just coincidence, but rather a sign of Brashier’s vast influence.

Brashier was to defense what Fry was to offense.

Brashier still holds North Texas school records for career interceptions (19) and single-season interceptions (10 in 1951).

He was a master at gaining leverage on the field by putting his players in the right spots to execute.

Iowa’s 1981 defense is arguably the best in program history; a violent wrecking ball that was led by All-America defensive end Andre Tippett, and by a determination that came from being sick and tired of losing.

The year prior to following Fry to Iowa, Brashier’s North Texas defense led the nation in three categories in 1978.

Fry knew what he had with Brashier, and Fry out of respect, and also showing good judgement as a head coach, gave Brashier the freedom and the space to do his job.

Brashier had chances to become a head coach, before and without question during his time at Iowa.

But he always resisted the temptation to run his own program.

Brashier stayed loyal to Fry, and he stayed loyal to Iowa City, living there throughout his retirement with his wife.

Those who played for Brashier said he hardly ever raised his voice or used foul language because he didn’t have to in order to be heard.

Brashier’s players respected and believed in him, and they wanted to make him proud. He was a coach, a friend and a mentor all rolled into one.

Brashier also started a trend by choosing to stay as the Iowa defensive coordinator rather than pursue head coaching opportunities.

Iowa has only had four defensive coordinators since 1979: Brashier, Bobby Elliott, Norm Parker and Phil Parker.

That would be incredible under any circumstance, but especially in this age in which so many coaches crave and seek the spotlight.

With all that went into making Hayden Fry a coaching legend, his relationship with Bill Brashier, on and off the field, would have to rank as one of the key components.