Iowa Hawkeyes Roundtable Q’s: Coaching Changes and Progress

Nov 23, 2013; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeye Head Coach Kirk Ferentz looks during their game against the Michigan Wolverines at Kinnick Stadium. Iowa beat Michigan 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been a while since the staff has stopped by and done a nice roundtable giving different insights on the Iowa Hawkeyes.  Well, we’re back at it and this time we’re talking about former DL coach, Eric Johnson and his change of heart, baseball, and the spring game coming up this Saturday at Kinnick Stadium.

Let’s dive in!

1. Are you surprised by Coach Eric Johnson’s leaving the team to manage a Culvers?

Alex: Nothing about an assistant coach not wanting to return surprises me. It is one of the most thankless jobs in the country. You’re constantly traveling around the country sucking up to kids. It will be interesting to see however, who takes over the zone of St. Louis where Johnson recruited for years. The Hawkeyes have picked upI am looking forward to seeing if the offense has found any weapons on the outside at receiver. That was the gaping hole in the offense last season, especially when it went against fast defenses. some gems out of St. Louis and someone will have to pick up the slack.

Jeremy: Yea the story is somewhat perplexing, but I’m not going to knock someone who wants to move forward with the aspirations of doing something different. Good for him wanting to chase after a dream of being a restaurant owner. Let’s hope his shakes are smooth and his fries are crinkly!

Dylan: It’s a little surprising, I’m not sure of his salary at Iowa, but I’m going to say that it’s more than what he’ll be making as an owner of a Culvers – I know, shot in the dark.  It’s definitely not something you hear about everyday, but who am I to judge a person on what he wants to do with his life?  Good for Coach Johnson.

2. Iowa baseball’s 22 wins equal last years total. What is the reason for the turnaround?

Alex: In baseball, coaching is not always a big factor. However, the job that Rick Heller and his staff have done in year one, can not be undervalued. This team has improved tremendously over the past year with much of the same personnel.

Jeremy: Iowa’s offense has been stellar. They came into last weekend second in the conference in hitting, and they have posted eighteen games with at least ten hits. That kind of offense means you allow yourself to be in every game, regardless of the deficits they face. The crooked numbered innings propelled the Hawkeyes to their first series win over Minnesota since 2005, and it’s the bats that have been all the difference this season.

Dylan: It’s been the offense definitely.  They have a lot of the same guys from last year so they have gotten some valuable experience and you can tell that that is paying off.  The pitching still needs some work, but Rick Heller has done a fantastic job with this group and I think they are really buying into his system.

3. What are you most looking forward to with the Spring game Saturday?

Alex: I am looking forward to seeing if the offense has found any weapons on the outside at receiver. That was the gaping hole in the offense last season, especially when it went against fast defenses.

Jeremy: I’m looking forward to the energy in the stands. In what is hopefully a beautiful day, there is always a good feeling in the air this time of year. On the field, I see the spring game as a glorified practice, a measuring stick for players and coaches to see progressions. But, the one constant in Iowa City is the excitement that everyone feels when walking through the turnstiles at Kinnick Stadium again.

Dylan: Even though the coaches are starting to say that Jake Rudock is the man, I am interested to see the strides C.J. Beathard has made.  He was an all state kid in Tennessee coming out of high school and the coaches have said he’s pushing Rudock to his limits.  Beathard was pretty shaky last year when he did appear in games so I am interested to see how he’s progressed.