3 Worst head coach hires in Iowa football history

Iowa has had two coaches over the span of four decades. They have been fortunate to have such great coaches in that time. However, what about the coaches that came before them that weren't so successful?

Iowa Hawkeyes players hold hands as they get ready to swarm onto the field with the University of Iowa mascot. / Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen via

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Iowa football. . 1974-1978. player. . 18-37 overall record. 483. Bob Commings. Bob Commings. 3

Bob Commings has one of the worst win percentages in Iowa football history. Commings started at Iowa as a player in 1953, 1956, and 1957. After graduating he became an assistant coach with the Hawkeyes before leaving for the high school coaching scene. In 1974, Commings made his return to Iowa, this time as the head coach in hopes of resurrecting a beat-down program.

Here is a breakdown of Commings' career at Iowa.

1974: 3-8, 2-6 conference
1975: 3-8, 3-5 conference
1976: 5-6, 3-5 conference
1977: 5-6, 3-6 conference
1978: 2-9, 2-6 conference

Commings was never able to get a winning season with the Hawkeyes. He was never able to win more than three conference games and never came close to a conference championship. In 1978, commings led Iowa to their 16th consecutive losing season and that was all the school needed to fire him.

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