The 1983 Iowa coaching staff. Back row, from left: Bill Snyder, Del Miller, Kirk Ferentz, head coach Hayden Fry, Carl Jackson, Don Patterson, Bill Dervrich. Front row, from left: Bernie Wyatt, Barry Alvarez, Bill Brashier, Dan McCarney, Bob Stoops.
When Iowa went to the Pittsburgh Steelers uniforms way back in the late 70’s (I think they didn’t go to the black helmet until 80), I thought that it might have a positive mental impact. And low and behold, Fry said, about that time, that they need to look like winners.
They were the first college team I’d ever seen do that (but had seen several high school teams do it).
Up until then, I was indifferent about Iowa. It just depended on who they were playing. My dad was a Penn State fan (his home state), so I kinda leaned towards them way back in the 60s and 70s. Living in IL just never was enough to make me an Illini fan (and I have a son that won two state titles on their field).
But when Iowa decided to look like the hated Steelers (Packer fan, back in those days), I could no longer back them at all.
by the mid 80’s I lost nearly all interest in college and pro football (not burnout, just too many other interests).
Then recently one of my sons married into a family with deep Crimson Tide roots (football and gymnastics alums). They are wonderful people, and have converted me (well, as much as I can be converted. I still have other interests that rank above football.)
For your sake, I hope Iowa keeps winning, and hopefully faces Alabama for the national title.
I remember when Hayden Fry left North Texas for Iowa. They have stunk ever since.
Hayden Fry sure knew how to pick ‘em.