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-It's not the most flattering thing to be listed as the 10 th best coach in the conference---and that's why the league has become soformidable the last few years-The top 10 in order: Curt Cignetti, Ryan Day, Dan Lanning, Kyle Whittingham, Kirk Ferentz, Lincoln Riley, Bret Bielema, Jedd Fisch, MattCampbell, Matt Rhule. A major upset….Barry Odom is NOT dead last at Purdue…who is, though?Our Sponsors:* Check out Hims and use my code hims.com/EARLYBREAK for a great deal: https://www.hims.com* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
The Hawkeyes have added three talented transfers to help fuel the next chapter of Iowa Women's Basketball, and two of them join this week's Fight for Iowa Podcast.Former Georgia standout Dani Carnegie and veteran defender Amari Whiting discuss what led them to Iowa, their first impressions of Iowa City, and why playing for Jan Jensen made the Hawkeyes the right fit.Carnegie, a First Team All-SEC selection who averaged 18 points per game last season, reunites with former Georgia teammate Chit-Chat Wright and brings a dynamic scoring presence to Iowa's backcourt. Whiting arrives with a reputation as a fearless defender and high-IQ player after stops at Oklahoma State and BYU.The pair share their early experiences on campus, expectations for the upcoming season, and excitement about playing in front of the passionate fans at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.Plus, a look at Iowa's third transfer addition, former Georgia Bulldog Jocelyn Faison, as the Hawkeyes continue building a roster ready to compete in the Big Ten.Listen as the newest Hawkeyes begin their journey in black and gold. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Kluver welcomes longtime Dowling Catholic head coach Tom Wilson for a throwback conversation that begins with memories from the 2013 Shrine Bowl, including intense practices and an opening deep ball to Matt Haack. Wilson reflects on notable athletes he has coached (Haack, John “Wiz” Wisniewski, Amarah Darboh, Rico Gafford, Jake Hummel, Ryan Boyle) and shares how he entered coaching, from early influences in Monroe to head coaching stops at English Valley and Wilton, a career-shaping graduate assistant stint at Ball State, eight years at Dike-New Hartford, and taking the Dowling job in 2005. He explains why he stayed in high school coaching despite college opportunities, emphasizing family timing, and discusses relationships with Kirk Ferentz and Reese Morgan. Wilson outlines his program-building values—hard work, accountability, relationships—plus feeder-system involvement, communication, expectations, and daily goal focus to combat complacency, along with traits he looks for in players and the benefits of multi-sport participation. If you love the show and want to show support, tell your friends! And, check out our exclusive content at Patreon.com/washedupwalkons where you can find extra podcast episodes, exclusive merchandise, Merch discounts with every tier, private Walkon discord channel access, and more! Find us on social media @washedupwalkons Visit TheWashedUpWalkons.com for all of our episodes, merchandise, and more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Summer conditioning is underway in Iowa City, and for head coach Kirk Ferentz, the next four weeks may be among the most important of the offseason. After losing nearly 30 players to graduation, the NFL and the transfer portal, the Hawkeyes have welcomed an equally large incoming class of freshmen and transfers as Ferentz navigates the realities of college football's year-round roster management era.This week on Fight for Iowa, Ferentz discusses the challenges and opportunities that come with rebuilding a roster, how the expanded calendar has changed player development, and why much of the groundwork for the 2026 season is already being laid before fall camp even begins.We also catch up with All-Big Ten safety Zach Lutmer. The Rock Rapids native returns after a standout junior season that included 70 tackles, three interceptions, a touchdown return, a sack and a fumble recovery. Lutmer helped lead a Hawkeye defense that finished among the nation's best and now steps into an even larger leadership role following the departures of Xavier Nwankpa and Koen Entringer.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Ranking the Top 10 Big Ten Head Coaches (Who Will Make Fans Mad?) | Buckeye Weekly PodcastOn the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr rank their top 10 Big Ten head coaches and debate several controversial placements, including P.J. Fleck, Matt Rhule, Jedd Fisch, Bob Chesney, Bret Bielema, and Lincoln Riley. They discuss Kirk Ferentz and Kyle Whittingham as long-tenured, consistently tough coaches, question Riley's postseason results at USC, and evaluate Dan Lanning's Oregon success alongside concerns about recent playoff performances. They compare Ryan Day's sustained achievements at Ohio State with Curt Cignetti's rapid rise and national title at Indiana, emphasizing degree of difficulty. The episode ends with updates on launching a new Ohio State football community at buckeyeinsiders.com and where to follow the show online.00:00 Welcome and Setup00:10 Ranking Criteria and Format00:50 Number 10 03:46 Number 9 06:46 Number 8 10:10 Number 711:32 Number 613:33 Number 5 17:40 Number 4 20:34 Top 3 Debate23:52 Top 2 and Number 127:05 Wrap Up and Plug
This week on the Fight for Iowa podcast, we step onto the track with one of the most recognizable voices in the sport — legendary track and field announcer Mike Jay. From the Iowa High School State Track & Field Championships to the Drake Relays, NCAA Championships and Olympic Trials, Jay's voice has become synonymous with some of the sport's biggest moments.A Columbus Junction native, Jay has spent decades around the sport as a runner, coach and elite announcer, earning national recognition in 2014 as the Track & Field Writers of America's top track announcer. But beyond the microphone, Jay's passion is rooted in the athletes, families and communities that make track and field special.In this episode, Jay shares stories from a lifetime in the sport, what makes Iowa track unique, and how he's continuing to give back through the Track Guy Foundation.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The 2026 college football season is getting closer, and this batch of power-rated teams has some massive betting and playoff questions. BYU, Utah, Iowa, Texas Tech, and Washington all have real upside — but every one of them has a major flaw that could change the season.On today's Winning Cures Everything college football preview, we break down teams ranked #20 through #16 in my 2026 preseason power ratings. BYU is no longer a cute Big 12 surprise story with Bear Bachmeier and LJ Martin returning, but defensive coordinator turnover and a tough road schedule could make things tricky. Utah enters the Morgan Scalley era after Kyle Whittingham's departure, with a rebuilt offensive line and a schedule that still gives the Utes a real Big 12 title path.We also dig into Iowa's massive reload under Kirk Ferentz, including quarterback questions, offensive line turnover, Phil Parker's defense, and whether the Hawkeyes can still win ugly. Texas Tech may have the Big 12's best roster, but Brendan Sorsby's eligibility situation and defensive losses create one of the biggest storylines in the conference. Finally, Washington has a star quarterback in Demond Williams Jr., but the Huskies still have to prove they can handle Big Ten heavyweights.If you're looking for 2026 college football previews, Big 12 predictions, Big Ten betting analysis, win total picks, and playoff dark horse breakdowns, this episode is for you.Subscribe to Winning Cures Everything, hit the like button, and drop your thoughts in the comments.0:00 Intro0:50 BYU10:17 Utah18:53 Iowa28:48 Texas Tech38:58 Washington
With a roster reshaped by NFL departures, graduation and the transfer portal, the 2026 Hawkeye football team enters a new era with plenty of opportunity across all three phases of the game. This week on Fight for Iowa, head coach Kirk Ferentz discusses the importance of integrating nearly 30 new players into the program as Iowa prepares for summer workouts and the start of another demanding Big Ten season.We take a closer look at the Hawkeyes' defensive rebuild, where longtime defensive line coach Kelvin Bell is tasked with developing the next wave of talent up front following the departures of Aaron Graves, Max Llewellyn and Ethan Hurkett. Bell shares his thoughts on the progress made during spring practice and the mentality of Iowa's young defensive front.Linebacker Jayden Montgomery reflects on stepping into a larger leadership role after learning from Hawkeye greats like Jay Higgins, while rising sophomore Cam Buffington talks about the growth of Iowa's young linebacker group and the culture that continues to produce standout defenders.Plus, All-Big Ten defensive back Zach Lutmer discusses his breakout season, the possibility of handling kick return duties this fall, and the excitement building for a September packed with games at Kinnick Stadium.It's another inside look at the players and coaches shaping the future of Iowa football — this week on Fight for Iowa.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Chris Williams and Chris Hassel react to the growing fallout from Jamie Pollard's viral comments about the Big Ten and SEC, debate whether college football is losing what made it special, and discuss the WNBA backlash after Caitlin Clark sat out unexpectedly.
This week on the Fight for Iowa podcast, Gary Dolphin visits with new Hawkeye guard Ty'Reek Coleman, the talented transfer from Illinois State who helped lead the Redbirds to the NIT title game during an impressive freshman season. Coleman discusses his relationship with Ben McCollum, why Iowa felt like the right fit, and what excites him most about joining the Hawkeyes.Dolph also shares Coach McCollum's thoughts on Iowa's two transfer portal additions — Coleman and 7-foot-3 center Andrew McKeever — as the Hawkeyes continue building their roster for next season. Plus, a look at Iowa's newly released Big Ten schedule and the matchups awaiting the Hawkeyes this winter.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Chad Leistikow and Scott Dochterman break down Iowa's brutal early Big Ten football schedule, debate the future of a possible 24-team College Football Playoff, and revisit which Kirk Ferentz teams could've made legitimate postseason runs. Plus: Nebraska's offseason hype machine fires up again, Ben McCollum gets extended at Iowa, and the Hawkeye women add roster depth through the portal and international recruiting.
Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz joined the show. Ferentz is a Western PA guy and would also know better than anyone about the recent Steelers draft picks that played for him at Iowa. Kirk jokingly advised Gennings Dunker to not eat any fish he catches in The Mon. Kirk talked about the emergence of Hawkeyes that have gotten drafted by the Steelers in recent years. Kirk said he has a ton of respect for the Steelers organization. The guys had Kirk breakdown the vibe of Dunker, with the red mullet and personality so fitting to be an offensive lineman. He said Dunker is much smarter than he looks and very wise to the game. Kirk raved about Dunker as a teammate and person. Kirk things Dunker is a good fit to start his NFL career at guard and maybe move to tackle, what he played at Iowa, later in his career. The Steelers also drafted Kaden Wetjen, the return specialist – what can he bring to the Steelers? Kirk said Wetjen was a walk-on that turned into a star with the Hawkeyes, emerging as one of the best return men in the Big 10. The Steelers drafted Kaleb Johnson in 2025, the former Iowa RB, who failed to make much of an impact as a rookie. Kirk said Johnson didn't start fast with Iowa, but finished his career extremely strong. He said Johnson had some focus issues his first few seasons in college, but was ‘wired in' for his final year. Chris made sure to ask Kirk about the Iowa victory over Penn State nearly 20 years ago with the Hawkeyes beating the Nittany Lions 6-4 at Beaver Stadium. Going back to his Pittsburgh roots, Kirk talked about the 1979 Pirates, his favorite childhood team. Kirk talked about the origin of the Iowa uniforms and why they match the Steelers.
Kyle Dubas held his end-of-season press conference today and the big question & answer was in regard to the future of Evgeni Malkin. Is that the smartest move by the Penguins right now? He was still a point per game player this past season and really isn't blocking an abundance of young talent since he made the move from center to wing. All along it felt like the tea leaves were saying the Penguins wouldn't bring him back, but today made fans and media feel as if their goal was to have Malkin run it back. Do fans want the Penguins to bring back Evgeni Malkin? Does Kyle Dubas have something up his sleeve this offseason? Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz joined the show. Ferentz is a Western PA guy and would also know better than anyone about the recent Steelers draft picks that played for him at Iowa. Kirk jokingly advised Gennings Dunker to not eat any fish he catches in The Mon. Kirk talked about the emergence of Hawkeyes that have gotten drafted by the Steelers in recent years. Kirk said he has a ton of respect for the Steelers organization. The guys had Kirk breakdown the vibe of Dunker, with the red mullet and personality so fitting to be an offensive lineman. He said Dunker is much smarter than he looks and very wise to the game. Kirk raved about Dunker as a teammate and person. Kirk things Dunker is a good fit to start his NFL career at guard and maybe move to tackle, what he played at Iowa, later in his career. The Steelers also drafted Kaden Wetjen, the return specialist – what can he bring to the Steelers? Kirk said Wetjen was a walk-on that turned into a star with the Hawkeyes, emerging as one of the best return men in the Big 10. The Steelers drafted Kaleb Johnson in 2025, the former Iowa RB, who failed to make much of an impact as a rookie. Kirk said Johnson didn't start fast with Iowa, but finished his career extremely strong. He said Johnson had some focus issues his first few seasons in college, but was ‘wired in' for his final year. Chris made sure to ask Kirk about the Iowa victory over Penn State nearly 20 years ago with the Hawkeyes beating the Nittany Lions 6-4 at Beaver Stadium. Going back to his Pittsburgh roots, Kirk talked about the 1979 Pirates, his favorite childhood team. Kirk talked about the origin of the Iowa uniforms and why they match the Steelers.
This week on the Fight for Iowa Podcast, Gary Dolphin sits down with new Hawkeye center Andrew McKeever after his commitment to Iowa Basketball. The 7'3 transfer from Saint Mary's discusses why Iowa was his first and only visit, what sold him on Coach Ben McCollum and the Hawkeye offense, and how the transfer portal process shaped his decision.McKeever talks about his rebounding mentality, player development, and his excitement to arrive in Iowa City this June. Plus, hear why the West Coast Conference's leading rebounder believes Iowa is the perfect fit as he prepares for his next step in college basketball.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Chad Leistikow and Scott Dochterman dive deep into Scott's massive Big Ten fan survey from The Athletic — and the results are fascinating.
Chris Williams and Chris Hassel dive into the mailbag while mixing in a few timely topics.
Iowa basketball standout Bennett Stirtz headlines this week's show after being named the recipient of the Chris Street Award, honoring the Hawkeye who best exemplifies passion, toughness, and competitive spirit. The First Team All-Big Ten selection capped a remarkable season—averaging 20 points and leading Iowa to its first Elite Eight since 1987—while cementing his place among the program's all-time single-season scoring leaders. Dolph sits down with Stirtz to reflect on his journey from Northwest Missouri State to a historic run in Iowa City and what lies ahead with the NBA Draft approaching.On the football side, spring practice has wrapped as the Hawkeyes turn toward offseason development and preparation for fall camp. A major storyline: replacing standout specialists. New kicker Eli Ozick, a transfer from North Dakota State, discusses adjusting to Iowa and building momentum after an All-American season. Plus, hear from Australian punter Boston Everett as he embraces the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of recent Hawkeye greats, alongside competition from in-state standout Tanner Philpott.It's a packed episode featuring award winners, rising stars, and a look ahead to the next chapter of Hawkeye football.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Chad Leistikow and Scott Dochterman break down an eventful weekend for Iowa Football.
Leila Rahimi and Marshall Harris listened and reacted to the highlights of Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz's recent interview on the Mully & Haugh Show about new Bears center Logan Jones.
In the second hour, Leila Rahimi and Marshall Harris were joined by NFL.com writer Eric Edholm to discuss why he didn't have the Bears in the top 10 of his power rankings as he looks ahead to the 2026 season. After that, Rahimi and Harris listened and reacted to the highlights of Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz's recent interview on the Mully & Haugh Show about new Bears center Logan Jones. Later, they held the Halftime segment.
Teegan Davis played football until his body wouldn't allow him to play any more. The former Princeton High School all-stater made the decision to medically retire from the game after talking to Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz upon returning to campus after the Christmas breakBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.
Mike Mulligan and David Haugh were joined by Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz to share a scouting report on new Bears center Logan Jones, who previously starred for the Hawkeyes.
In the second hour, Mike Mulligan and David Haugh were joined by Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz to share a scouting report on new Bears center Logan Jones, who previously starred for the Hawkeyes. After that, Mully and Haugh discussed Cubs slugger Moises Ballesteros making his first start at catcher for the club in Chicago's 9-7 loss at San Diego on Monday night. How often will we see Ballesteros behind the plate moving forward?
Wolf and Luke discuss if drafting Chase Bisontis makes us feel better about the Arizona Cardinals drafting Jeremiyah Love and Iowa football head coach Kirk Ferentz joins the show.
Kirk Ferentz joins Wolf and Luke to discuss Karson Sharar's career at Iowa, what Sharar's mentality is like, and what type of linebacker Sharar is.
owa Football wraps up spring practice this Saturday with an open workout at Kinnick Stadium, giving fans a chance to get an early look at the 2026 Hawkeyes.Head Coach Kirk Ferentz and his staff are navigating significant roster turnover following the largest graduating class in program history, with 30 new players working into the mix this spring. Several position battles remain ongoing, including at quarterback where transfers Jeremy Hecklinski and Hank Brown continue to split reps.The Hawkeyes are reloading along both the offensive and defensive lines, while a deep running back group returns after a strong 2025 season. Kamari Moulton leads a talented backfield alongside Xavier Williams, Nathan McNeil, and South Dakota transfer Lendon Phillips, as Iowa continues to emphasize a physical run game under offensive coordinator Tim Lester.This week's episode also features interviews with defensive lineman Kenneth Merriwether, pass rusher Iose Epenesa, and running back Kamari Moulton.Spring answers are coming into focus—but several key decisions will carry into fall camp.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode of the Podcast of Champions hosts Ryan Abraham and David Woods are back in studio for another offseason show. In this edition, the fellas provide the latest updates from spring football and then talk about Sherrone Moore's sentencing. The fellas also discuss Wisconsin's AD moving to the Big Ten, and Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz somehow getting caught for tampering when the concept barely exists anymore. As always, they wrap up the podcast by answering listener email and live chat questions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Hour 4 of April 16, 2026 Jacob Townsend and Bud talk about the future of LIV golf after a day of uncertainty. Then, they discuss Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz having an issue with the NCAA's penalty against them this week. Then, it's time for birthdays!!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week on the Fight for Iowa Podcast, Gary Dolphin previews the NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championships and Iowa's presence on the national stage.Sophomore standout Oralee Tran is set to compete for a national title on the uneven bars after scoring a perfect 10 at regionals. Tran becomes the first Hawkeye to qualify on bars since 2003 and brings international experience from the Paris Olympics and Pan Am Games.Dolph sits down with Tran and head coach Jen Llewellyn to discuss her journey, preparation, and mindset heading into nationals.Plus, a look at Iowa's season finish, Llewellyn's Coach of the Year honors, and what's ahead for the program.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Chuck suspects this is Dabo Swinney's final year at Clemson. Chuck and Heath discuss the NCAA announcing penalties against Iowa for four year old violations. Jake Rowe of Dawgs HQ sizes up Georgia spring so far.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Chad Leistikow is joined by Seth Wallace for a deep dive into one of the most consistent defenses in college football—and the mindset behind it.
Kirk Ferentz is in hot water right now as a tampering infraction has been levied against the Iowa coach. Which wins has the Head Hawkeye vacated? What does it all mean?
Spring football has arrived for the Iowa Hawkeyes, bringing one of the most significant roster overhauls in program history. With 102 players in camp and 27 seniors to replace, Kirk Ferentz and his staff are building the foundation for 2026.This episode breaks down the quarterback competition between Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski, examines key departures to the NFL, and highlights a deep and talented running back room.Plus, hear from Coach Ferentz as Iowa continues spring practice and prepares for the season ahead.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
On this episode Iowa Hawkeyes football player Jeremiah Pittman returns to discuss balancing football with academics, choosing finance over engineering, and what he gained from demanding coursework like valuation modeling. He reflects on growing up in a strict household with two older brothers, a church-centered upbringing with music, and how maturity shaped his approach to college. Pittman details committing to Iowa during the COVID recruiting era without an official visit, drawn by transparent coaching (especially Coach Bell), program stability under Kirk Ferentz, and faith connections through Jim Goodrich and Athletes in Action. He explains how NIL, transfers, and revenue sharing changed college football, raising concerns about young players' money habits. Pittman shares a significant knee cartilage injury and rehab, faith-based identity beyond sport, leadership in Bible studies, and what he'll carry forward—time management and the “Iowa Edge.” He previews his post-football plans: a corporate finance rotational program at Uline, marriage, and house hunting. If you love the show and want to show support, tell your friends! And, check out our exclusive content at Patreon.com/washedupwalkons where you can find extra podcast episodes, exclusive merchandise, Merch discounts with every tier, private Walkon discord channel access, and more! Find us on social media @washedupwalkons Visit TheWashedUpWalkons.com for all of our episodes, merchandise, and more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
On this week's Fight for Iowa podcast, Gary Dolphin sits down with new Iowa soccer head coach Dean Ward. The Birmingham, England native brings nearly two decades of coaching experience to Iowa City after leading Xavier to 31 wins over the past two seasons, including a 2025 Big East Tournament title and an NCAA Round of 32 appearance.Ward inherits a strong Hawkeye program coming off a 12-5-4 season, a third-place Big Ten finish, and a trip to the NCAA Tournament second round. With standout returners Sofia Bush, Millie Greer, and Iba Oching, plus one of the nation's top freshman classes, Iowa looks poised to build on its No. 21 national ranking.Ward discusses his coaching philosophy, similarities with former head coach Dave Dianni, and his vision for a more aggressive attacking style. Plus, a look ahead to the Hawkeyes' spring exhibition matchup against Iowa State.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Xavier grew up in central Iowa and prepped at South East Polk before joining the Hawks in January of 2022. He joins to discuss being days away from Iowa's Pro Day after a strong NFL Combine, describing the stressful schedule, extensive medical checks, and interview prep through weekly Zoom mock interviews. He reflects on training in Austin, returning to Iowa City, and his high school recruitment as a Southeast Polk standout, explaining why he chose Iowa over Ohio State and Notre Dame and valuing Kirk Ferentz's stability and the staff's honesty about earning everything. X shares early “welcome to college football” moments, his relationships with coaches Wallace, Parker, and Woods, and how he grew into a starter, including starting the Music City Bowl. He discusses NIL experiences like filming a Powerade ad, learning from teammates like Cooper DeJean and leaders like Jack Campbell, adding a more aggressive defensive mindset, favorite games, and his plan to make an NFL roster starting on special teams while completing agility, bench, and drills at Pro Day. If you love the show and want to show support, tell your friends! And, check out our exclusive content at Patreon.com/washedupwalkons where you can find extra podcast episodes, exclusive merchandise, Merch discounts with every tier, private Walkon discord channel access, and more! Find us on social media @washedupwalkons Visit TheWashedUpWalkons.com for all of our episodes, merchandise, and more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The Hawkeyes make their 30th NCAA Tournament appearance—and first since 2022—squaring off with Clemson in an 8/9 matchup Friday in Tampa. Led by senior guard Bennet Stirtz, who averaged 22 points per game in Big Ten play, Iowa enters March with momentum after a 21-win season in one of the nation's toughest conferences.Clemson counters with a deep, balanced roster and All-ACC forward RJ Godfrey, but will be without starting center Carter Welling due to injury. With both teams known for their defense, this matchup sets up as one of the most competitive games of the opening round—with a potential showdown against top-seeded Florida looming.We hear from head coach Ben McCollum and floor leader Bennett Stirtz as the Hawkeyes prepare for Friday's tip.Plus, Iowa Women's Basketball opens NCAA Tournament play in Iowa City as a No. 2 seed, hosting Fairleigh Dickinson at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Head coach Jan Jensen, Kylie Feuerbach, and a veteran Hawkeye squad look to make another deep March run on their home floor.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Hawk Talk with Ben McCollum 03-09-26See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Hawk Talk with Jan Jensen 03-09-26See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Tom Brands joins the Fight for Iowa Podcast as the Hawkeyes prepare for the Big Ten Wrestling Championships. The Iowa head coach breaks down the team's mindset heading into the postseason, discusses key wrestlers and matchups to watch, and explains what it will take for the Hawkeyes to compete for a conference title. Brands also shares insight into Iowa's preparation, the intensity of the Big Ten tournament, and how the Hawkeyes are positioning themselves for the road to the NCAA Championships.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Hawk Talk with Jan Jensen 03-02-26See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Hawk Talk with Ben McCollum 03-02-26See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
-The 70-year-old Iowa coach enters his 28 th year with the Hawkeyes this season, and said in regards to turning 70, “I turned 70 lastAugust. I'd never been 70 so I had no idea what that'd be. Felt pretty much like what it did when I turned 69 or 60, nothingmonumental.” He's not done!-Ferentz also said while he's happy to be a college coach, he misses the clarity in terms of expectations and what the rules are of theNFL..Our Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Hawk Talk with Jan Jensen 02-23-26See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Hawk Talk with Jan Jensen 02-23-26See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Aaron Graves is from Dayton, IA and prepped at Southeast Valley High school. He became the youngest player to ever commit to the Hawkeyes just after his Freshman year and completely shut down his recruiting after verbally agreeing to be a Hawkeye. He joins the show from Texas where he's training for combine/pro day drills while living with his wife and newborn. Graves recounts the hectic 48 hours around the Nebraska game when his son was born on Thanksgiving Day, including a late-night charter flight to Lincoln, skipping meetings, playing, returning straight to the hospital, and receiving a game ball and framed display after Iowa's 40–16 win. He reflects on committing to Iowa as a sophomore after his first offer from Kirk Ferentz, growing up in Dayton, Iowa and Southeast Valley (a small district spanning 13 towns), playing multiple sports, winning the school's first state title, and finishing as the program's all-time leading basketball scorer. Graves discusses arriving at Iowa with the goal to control effort and preparation, earning early snaps and his first sack, and the wake-up call of playing at Ohio State as a freshman. He explains leadership growth into a starting role, the impact of older teammates in a roster now filled with fifth- and sixth-year players, and how Iowa approached NIL and revenue sharing by avoiding pay talk to prevent locker-room friction. Graves details graduating quickly—earning an associate degree from Iowa Central before high school, completing his exercise science bachelor's in four semesters, and finishing a sport and recreation management master's in three. He also addresses disappointment over not being invited to the NFL Combine, argues both he and Gronowski are deserving, and shares how Mark earned trust through competitiveness and steady improvement. The episode closes with Graves' plan for making a 53-man roster and his confidence heading into Iowa's pro day reunion with teammates. If you love the show and want to show support, tell your friends! And, check out our exclusive content at Patreon.com/washedupwalkons where you can find extra podcast episodes, exclusive merchandise, Merch discounts with every tier, private Walkon discord channel access, and more! Find us on social media @washedupwalkons Visit TheWashedUpWalkons.com for all of our episodes, merchandise, and more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Hawk Talk with Ben McCollum 02-18-26See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Hawk Talk with Jan Jensen 02-18-26See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
This week on the Fight for Iowa Podcast, Dolph sits down with the newest voice in the Hawkeye coaching room — Chris Polizzi, Iowa's Special Teams Coordinator. Fresh off earning the role leading one of the most vital (and often game-deciding) phases of football, Polizzi opens up about stepping into his new position for the Hawkeyes and the mindset he brings to the job. With two decades of coaching experience at the collegiate level — including stops at Tulsa, UT-Martin, UCLA, Utah, Western Carolina, Tennessee Tech, and previous roles with Iowa — Chris offers insight into what it takes to coach at the highest levels of college football and how special teams fit into the Hawkeyes' identity.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Scott Dochterman is joined by Iowa football GM and Chief of Staff Tyler Barnes for an in-depth look at the Hawkeyes' transfer portal approach and roster construction heading into 2026. Barnes discusses Iowa's low portal attrition, adding FCS All-Americans, rebuilding key positions, replacing major special teams contributors, and managing scholarships in the NIL era. Plus, insight into recruiting philosophy, development under Kirk Ferentz, and what to expect from the Hawkeyes this spring. Presented by GameDay Men's Health! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices