Iowa interim AD
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00:00 kind of put names with faces before you ask your first question.
00:03 If you can identify yourself and your outlet,
00:06 that would help Beth kind of get to know you a little bit more.
00:09 That'd be appreciative. And, uh, we'll get right to Beth.
00:13 Thank you all for being here.
00:14 Good afternoon, everybody. Appreciate you coming out today. Um,
00:25 I just wanted to maybe start with this, um, in over my short time here,
00:29 I have been just incredibly,
00:32 incredibly impressed by our student athletes, our coaches, our staff. Um,
00:36 we've got an amazing fan base and such a generous group of donors. Um,
00:41 and I think the combination of their passion,
00:44 their talents and their characters really it's uncommon and it's what
00:49 makes being a Hawkeye so special. And I'm so glad that, um,
00:53 I have an opportunity to be part of that here. Um,
00:55 I want to thank Gary Barta for the opportunity and the invitation to join the
00:59 team last fall and for his leadership and his mentorship during that time.
01:03 Um, certainly what he's done, uh, for the Hawkeyes over his tenure and really all
01:07 of all of college athletics. Um, really thankful to, uh,
01:11 president Wilson, uh,
01:12 for the opportunity to lead over the coming months and to do so alongside this
01:16 great team here in athletics and across campus, uh, could not be more excited.
01:20 This is going to be a really fun year for our student athletes and our teams.
01:24 I know they're going to have great success, uh,
01:27 both in the classroom and on the fields of competition. And as always,
01:30 Hawkeye nation is going to have a lot to cheer for, uh, with these teams. So, uh,
01:35 with that, I'm happy to answer any questions that you might have.
01:38 Yeah. Scott Dockman with the athletic. Hi Beth. Welcome. Uh,
01:44 wanted to ask you about, uh,
01:45 there's a strategic plan in place currently through 2025. Uh,
01:50 it happened before you arrived. Have you glanced at it?
01:54 Do you have any thoughts about reshaping it or are you going to kind of keep it
01:59 as is until you, uh, into the future?
02:03 Yeah. Uh, great to see you, Scott. Um, I have looked at it,
02:07 obviously as a staff, we've been talking about that since my arrival. Um, and,
02:10 you know, one of the things I really like about it is it's a,
02:12 it's a vision document, so it's really broad in nature. Um,
02:16 and so in the short term, um,
02:17 we're going to continue to build out some goals that fit with that vision and,
02:21 and, and align with the different pillars. Um, but, and then longterm, you know,
02:25 I think once, uh, there's a new permanent direction,
02:28 my guess is there'll be a closer look at what that strategic plan might look
02:31 like. John Steffi, Cedar Rapids Gazette. Hi John. Hi Beth.
02:35 A lot of things happening both at Iowa with gambling investigation and a lot of
02:40 things happening at Big Ten level and nationally.
02:43 What are your top priorities in your first month as interim AD?
02:46 That's why you guys are having a busy summer. Just like, just like we are.
02:50 There's no shortage of, of things to focus on. Um, but you know,
02:54 really for us and I think this is always the case regardless of,
02:58 of what might be a hot issue of the day. I mean,
03:00 first and foremost your priority is always how do you best support the success
03:05 of your student athletes and your teams? Um,
03:07 and that's where your focus lives day to day.
03:09 And it's certainly influenced by some of the things you talked about,
03:12 whether that's name, image, likeness, or gambling, um,
03:15 or conference realignment, all those things.
03:17 I'm sure we're going to get to talk about here. Um,
03:19 but that's really where we want to spend our time. Um,
03:21 there's a plenty of short term goals that I think over the next six months,
03:25 both for me and our staff that we want to continue to work through, uh,
03:28 from fundraising to making sure we manage our financial resources to being
03:33 prepared strategically to navigate some of the changes in those external spaces.
03:37 Um, just to name a few,
03:39 I've got some great facility projects to both conclude and some we're excited to
03:43 start. So a handful of different topics that we'll continue to pay attention to.
03:48 Um, but there's always going to be new things that are going to attract our
03:50 attention.
03:51 But as long as we couch those in a way that the focus remains on providing a
03:55 great experience and making sure we're building championship programs across
03:59 all of our sports, that's where we're going to spend our time.
04:02 Hey Beth, Tom Caker, Paukei Report. Um,
04:07 wanted to ask you about the gambling investigation and do you have any idea
04:12 when the student athletes are going to find out what their suspension might be?
04:16 Um, is where, where are you at in that process?
04:18 Yeah. Um, on the reinstatement process specifically, um,
04:22 we have submitted all the requested information to date to the NCA. Um,
04:27 and we're optimistic that we are just hopefully days away, uh, perhaps from,
04:32 from getting some feedback,
04:33 at least initially on what that means for our student athletes who currently are
04:38 here and have remaining eligibility.
04:39 There's obviously some additional steps in the process once that decision is
04:43 rendered. Um, but we're optimistic, um,
04:46 that that might happen here, uh,
04:47 in short order as opposed to a few weeks down the road.
04:50 Hey Beth, Chad Lice, Dakota Joint Register. Um,
04:53 I kind of understand you've talked to Brad at the Swarm.
04:56 I keep kind of characterize how those discussions went and then I will follow up
05:00 as well.
05:01 Yeah, absolutely. Um, yes, I've had an opportunity to sit down, uh,
05:04 with Brad really, um, enjoyed it. Uh, that conversation, he sent me some,
05:08 some notes about, uh, some tips on today too.
05:10 One was to make sure I talked positively about the Swarm. So, uh, that,
05:15 that would be no problem. Um, but it's been wonderful, uh,
05:18 to at least start to build a relationship, uh, with Brad.
05:20 I know many of us on our staff had already had an opportunity to do that. Uh,
05:24 but really, you know, when it comes to name, image and likeness,
05:27 it's just a critical,
05:28 critical piece for our student athletes, um, and our success competitively,
05:32 no different than the generosity that's coming in through NIL, um,
05:36 gifts and through the Swarm and in other ways,
05:38 it's just as important these days as scholarships and facilities and other
05:42 operational needs. Um, but really what Brad and his team have done, um,
05:46 I think have, has really given us a chance to be, uh, really successful. Um,
05:51 and the way that they did it, if you look across the country,
05:53 many of the other collectives didn't quite have the same, uh,
05:56 success right out of gate. I think they've been very thoughtful there.
05:59 And his team is almost in daily conversation sometimes with ours and has been,
06:04 um, but we're just, uh,
06:05 really appreciative of his efforts of all of those who've chosen to contribute
06:09 there. Um, and they're doing some exciting and fun things.
06:12 I mean, one of his frustrations or their frustrations was, you know,
06:16 that there wasn't a lot of give and take with athletics.
06:19 Do you feel empowered in your role as intermediate to kind of make some change
06:23 in that area?
06:24 Yeah. You know, I think from the beginning it's been a challenge,
06:28 I think for all campuses to,
06:29 to try and find the right balance between, um,
06:32 what the NCA rule structure is or lack of rules in this space might be,
06:37 um, and where we're comfortable operating. And so I know there's been, uh,
06:41 conversations again with his team and, uh, going back to the beginning. Um,
06:45 but I think that the, the narrative around that,
06:48 some of the movement that we're starting to see nationally,
06:51 whether that be through some federal or state legislation, um,
06:55 or through, um, potentially some more parameters from the NCA,
06:58 just gives us the ability to, to be a little bit more flexible. But my thought is,
07:03 that we want to be great partners with, with Brad, with a swarm and,
07:06 and really with anyone that's willing to help and support our student athletes.
07:09 So we're looking forward to seeing that, uh, seeing that continue for sure.
07:12 John Bonecamp, Associated Press. Good to see you. Um, getting back to the gambling,
07:18 are you looking at this,
07:19 is there going to be kind of an expansion of the education for the student
07:23 athletes on, you know, the, and this,
07:25 do you look at this as a cautionary tale for them to do more? I mean,
07:29 to have more of an education thing?
07:31 I think anytime, right. Where you see something like this, it's always, um,
07:35 a time where you want to evaluate and see what practices you have in place and
07:39 how you can get better. Um, you know, gambling's a couple of things. One,
07:42 I do think we had educational components in place, um,
07:46 but the world's changed, right?
07:48 The environment that those young men and all of us, uh,
07:51 and women are living in, um,
07:52 being bombarded with advertisements and all of the online gaming opportunities
07:57 and the fact that it's now legal, uh,
07:59 certainly in the state of Iowa and across many states, um,
08:01 the environment's changed. So how we educate,
08:04 how frequently what that mechanism is, um, I think is,
08:08 is going to be really important. Um, and as this, you know,
08:10 we come through this, we, we, um,
08:12 we know and believe that the integrity of the game,
08:15 there's just nothing more important than that. Um,
08:17 but we do think there's going to have to be an evaluation, um,
08:20 of how these rules are applied from an NCAA level,
08:23 but absolutely going to want, uh,
08:25 try to continue to find ways to make sure, um,
08:28 student athletes understand the impact, the risks,
08:30 the rules that are associated with, with sports gambling.
08:33 Going back to eight days away from getting some feedback,
08:36 what do you expect that feedback to entail?
08:38 And then you were mentioning that there are some more steps after that.
08:42 Does that mean that week one,
08:44 you may have answers on football players or what's your level of optimism there?
08:48 We don't really have any indication of what the response will be. I mean,
08:53 I think, you know, all of you, as well as, as we have,
08:55 have seen what the prescribed penalties are. Um,
08:59 but part of the NCAA process is always to provide mitigation.
09:02 So what are the other things that may have contributed to, um, you know,
09:05 any violation that occurred? So, um, you know, I think we were, you know,
09:09 as cooperative and as transparent, our athletes were, um,
09:12 as well in this process. And so we'll just, uh, you know,
09:16 we're going to respond as best as we can to see what that might look like. Um,
09:20 and if there are additional steps that we need to follow, we'll do so.
09:23 Tyler Taschman with the Des Moines register. Nice to meet you.
09:26 What is this last year been like for you at this time? Last year,
09:31 you were at Ball State. And so just what has it been like transitioning to Iowa
09:35 and kind of now taking on this bigger role?
09:37 You know, every place I've worked has been incredibly special for a different
09:41 reason. Um, and so when I left Ball State,
09:44 I wasn't running from a place that I didn't love. I,
09:47 the people there are wonderful. I really enjoyed it. Um,
09:51 but this is Iowa and it's the big 10 and the opportunity to come be a part
09:55 of everything I knew about, um, who the Hawkeyes were,
09:59 was something that I, you know, that I had, it just felt like I had to do.
10:03 I wanted to be a part of, of this team. Um, and so, you know,
10:06 I had a chance to start, I think my first day was September 30th. So really,
10:10 um, maybe mid football season. Um, and it was great. I mean,
10:13 it's just such a welcoming, uh, environment, a great group of people.
10:17 And it was a lot of fun just to, to begin to learn and, um,
10:21 and understand what, what being a Hawkeye is, is all about.
10:24 So I've enjoyed the last year. I've learned a lot. I still have a lot to learn.
10:29 Uh, and we'll continue to lean on our,
10:31 our great coaches and staff and community members to make sure we go down that
10:35 path, but it's been a lot of fun and I'm just grateful to be here.
10:37 I've got some Pat Hardy with Hawke Fanatic and KCJB radio. Welcome here.
10:41 I want to ask specifically about football, Brian's contract.
10:45 Will that be handled the same way it was with Gary?
10:47 You just kind of replacing the role that Gary played as far as him reporting you?
10:50 That's correct. Yes. Brian will, uh, does now report directly to me.
10:58 Beth, when you look at these, uh, uh, for instance,
11:01 the event that's going to go on at Kennec for women's basketball, uh, is there,
11:05 I think looking at the tickets today, probably it's in the 40,000 range.
11:10 It seems to be sold maybe faster than that. Um,
11:12 is this something that you anticipate trying to leverage in different and unique
11:16 ways to, to, you know,
11:18 an event like this or other events involving sports that they can have this type
11:22 of environment?
11:23 Yeah, well, I think there's a couple of things you look at it. One,
11:26 I was a history of being innovative. So obviously you had the, uh,
11:29 grapple on the grid iron. Um, ironically I was here that day. I was, uh,
11:33 with the wrong team, um, but came in for a football game that night. Uh, but,
11:37 uh, you know, I think the creative,
11:39 you have both the creative side and the willingness to showcase your products.
11:43 Um, and, um, but it's really the enthusiasm that's built behind that. Um,
11:48 the entire thought process, um, in terms of putting this game together,
11:52 the crossover at Kennec, it was coach Bluer. So, I mean,
11:55 she came back, I'm not even sure we were two weeks removed from the final four.
11:59 And she said, Hey, I've got this idea. Um, so clearly we had to vet it.
12:03 It took us a while to, to, to sort of work through that,
12:06 but could not be more excited. Um,
12:08 I think we're at about 30,000 tickets out right now. And you know,
12:13 the goal is we, you know, we, we can work into a, work our way to a sellout.
12:16 So, um, but it just, it really speaks to not just the basketball piece,
12:20 which we all know is incredible, but they want us,
12:23 people want to be a part of what, uh, coach Bluer and that team is about. Um,
12:28 they're just magnetic and their energy and, and it's,
12:31 it's just a great way to raise the platform of women's basketball and certainly
12:34 for a great cause in supporting the hospital. But I think,
12:37 I do think it's important to evaluate those when you have a team that captures,
12:41 um, you know, cap captures and inspires people around you.
12:44 If there's a way that we can be creative and use that, uh,
12:47 to continue to grow that and certainly to help a great cause.
12:51 I think those are things we're, we should explore.
12:53 That the conference has expanded even under, under your watch at least.
12:58 So how quickly do you kind of have to pivot budget wise and start looking ahead
13:03 because there is going to be more travel involved?
13:05 Yeah. Um, I know it seems like it was fast and certainly I think that was my
13:09 first, uh, first official day on the job.
13:11 We're talking about adding new, uh, new teams in the big 10. Um,
13:15 but I do think we were already headed down a similar road with the addition of
13:19 USC and UCLA. Um, this is my own opinion.
13:23 We're going to see the proof as we finalize some schedules here in the coming
13:27 months. But I really think it's a materially not that much different. Um,
13:31 it'll add a little bit of help for those West schools.
13:34 And I think the big 10 and all of us are at this point really confident that
13:39 perhaps we'll only have to travel a one time out West.
13:42 And the truth is many of our teams are doing that right now anyway,
13:44 just in the non-conference, um, uh, schedule. Um,
13:48 and we may need to reevaluate that,
13:50 but I think we can find a really good balance as to, um,
13:53 what those costs might be to what the experience might be.
13:56 And obviously making sure we put our students in an environment where they can
14:00 be successful in the classroom, um,
14:02 that they're getting the appropriate rest they need.
14:04 And we're managing all the other things that come with, um,
14:07 being a high level division one athlete.
14:08 How did, how did you get into this field and just why is doing this important to
14:13 you?
14:13 Well, I was a student athlete, um,
14:15 and really didn't think about pursuing a career. Um,
14:18 but I think as many of us that were in that role, um, you,
14:22 you just realize what an impact that experience has on you.
14:25 And there's really nothing I want more than our young men and young women to have
14:30 the same experience that I did. The amount of confidence that it taught me,
14:33 the way that it taught me that, Hey, when something doesn't go your way,
14:36 you're going to have to get back up and try it again to be with part of a team.
14:39 Um, it's just really exciting. So I started in coaching, um, first. And,
14:44 and really that was because my college coaches said, Hey,
14:46 you're going to go to grad school anyway. Why don't you, you try it out. Um,
14:50 and, and I never, I just never left.
14:52 And so I truly believe as simplistic as this might sound that the opportunity to
14:57 participate in sport, uh, is transformational. And I think it, uh,
15:02 is an additive component of the educational experience that sets them apart, uh,
15:06 long after their playing days are done. And I want more of our students, uh, um,
15:10 you know, to continue and have opportunities down that path.
15:13 Because I want our doctors and our lawyers and our politicians to be former
15:17 athletes. I just think you learn something special, um,
15:19 when you have an opportunity to compete,
15:21 whether that be in high school or division three or division one.
15:24 Having that interim tag, at least for now,
15:26 is there anything that president Wilson has really emphasized that she wants to
15:30 see you do particular,
15:31 maybe do differently in these nine months while you're still in room
15:35 from her directive to us is to continue to plow forward.
15:39 So I think her expectation as it is always is that, you know,
15:43 we want to have successful programs in all sense of the word. Um,
15:46 and we need to do, uh, and we'll continue to do what it takes to, uh,
15:50 to be the best we can both competitively and in the way that we represent this
15:54 institution and the state.
15:55 Yeah. And I call 24 cents worse, Beth. Good to see you again.
15:58 Welcome back to Iowa. Uh, how do you go about just prioritizing?
16:02 You talk about all the short term goals.
16:04 How do you go about balancing what you want to accomplish and prioritizing what
16:07 you want to accomplish and how does your past experience help you do that?
16:10 Yeah, I think it's a great question and it's an ongoing process, right? Um,
16:14 and it's not something you do individually. You do it with a team. Um,
16:18 and certainly we've got a great group of administrative team that is executing
16:21 those, but it's really informed by what's important by our student athletes,
16:25 our coaches, um,
16:26 how it aligns with the values and the priorities of the institution. Um,
16:30 and so as you're doing that, you're sort of saying, Hey, what,
16:32 what is the short term need versus a longterm need and what,
16:35 what requires your time? Uh, and the truth is they all happen at once.
16:39 It's kind of like asking, as I look out here at coach Bluer,
16:42 it's kind of like saying, Hey, you're working on offense today.
16:44 Are you going to worry about, uh, what, you know,
16:46 what defense you're implementing?
16:47 The truth is you're doing all of those things at one time. Uh,
16:50 but I do think it's really important that you figure out what's an immediate
16:54 focus, what's going to impact winning. And when I say impact winning,
16:57 I mean winning in the classroom,
16:58 winning on the fields of competition and winning and helping to develop these
17:02 young men and women as teacher leaders.
17:04 Beth Elliott, club, Iowa, now rivals.com. Um,
17:08 Kirk had some praise for you the other day at, uh,
17:10 Iowa's football media day,
17:12 just saying that you've done an excellent job thus far.
17:14 What's your relationship with him? Like at this point?
17:16 Yeah. You know, it's as, as you can imagine. Um, and certainly somebody with,
17:21 with his, uh, history and track record and tradition and success that he said,
17:25 it's been a lot of fun to get to know him, um, during my time here.
17:28 So he was somebody I got to visit with on my interview. Um,
17:31 and certainly we spent a lot more time together,
17:33 just really since the transition was announced,
17:35 not just in the last couple of weeks, but, um, you know,
17:38 watching the way that he and his staff go about their business,
17:41 getting a chance to be around the team has been, been really neat.
17:43 And so if you look at the culture, uh, that that's involved in that program and,
17:48 and how they've continued to both evolve with the times,
17:50 whether that's, uh, transfers or anything else, um,
17:54 they continue to do things the right way.
17:56 And his track record of success is the envy of many across the country.
18:00 You've been Kirk and Fran have both said that they,
18:02 they describe a transfer portal as being a mess. Just your thoughts on that.
18:06 What do you think can be done to change that?
18:08 You what do you think needs to be done? If you think anything needs to be done?
18:11 It's a, it's a really great question.
18:14 And there's a couple of things that happened all at once that I think made it
18:16 even more complicated, right? It was rolled out in the middle of, um,
18:20 in the middle of a pandemic. So now you had COVID years. Um,
18:23 and then also you launched name, image and likeness. And so it's really hard,
18:27 I think, um, as a coach to navigate all those things as well as a student,
18:32 as a parent to try to figure out exactly what that looks like. Um,
18:35 but I think the pressure that the,
18:37 the combination really of those three things have put, um,
18:41 on the transfer portal and thus on our, our coaches,
18:43 and most importantly on students making these decisions, um, has been,
18:47 has been really complex. And so, you know,
18:49 we're starting to see the end of those that had COVID years. Um,
18:52 and hopefully we'll have some consistency here at some point,
18:55 some level of parameters around NIL, and maybe that'll help just a little bit.
18:59 Um, but the, you know, it's,
19:01 it's changed the way they have to look at things and there's a lot of positives.
19:04 And I do think, um, autonomy for students is, uh, is important.
19:08 There's many reasons why you want to transfer. And, um, uh, it,
19:12 it's not necessarily about limiting that,
19:14 but how do we make it a little bit more practical for them, for coaches? I mean,
19:18 these guys are recruiting now 365 days a year, um,
19:21 and that's not good for anybody. Um, but, you know,
19:23 there's been some really positive things that I think have come out of it. Um,
19:27 it's just if some tweaks around the edges on all of those topics,
19:30 then I think we'll be in a better place.
19:32 You've been in this,
19:33 you've worked alongside some of the greatest coaches, the sport hall of famers,
19:37 even at the university of Iowa, as well as some of your other stops. Uh, but you know,
19:42 you've also been through some really trying experiences at other locations,
19:45 who and what has kind of shaped you to put yourself in the position that you are
19:51 today and what have you taken away from whether it's Gino Oriyama,
19:55 your situation at, uh, Minnesota, you know, how,
19:58 how has any,
19:59 how have any of those situations shaped you into the, uh,
20:02 your mental outlook and your vision for what you expect?
20:05 The answer is all of them are a part of, um,
20:09 I think of who you become. And, um,
20:11 I have been so incredibly fortunate as I am here at, at Iowa to get to work,
20:16 um, with just,
20:18 just people of character and high value and who are incredibly successful, um,
20:22 at what they do. Um, and you know,
20:25 whether that is Gino or Brad Stevens, um, or Huma Kutch in, in Minnesota,
20:29 I mean, I've had some, some,
20:30 just some great examples about how really to be a true leader,
20:34 how to be consistent, how to make sure you're, um,
20:36 leading in a way that puts others, others first. Um, and,
20:40 and that has been incredibly important,
20:41 but I think to your question maybe about Minnesota and some of the trying times,
20:45 um, you know,
20:46 I think that's really when you figure out who, who you are, how you can respond,
20:50 how you're going to think through challenges and processes. Um,
20:54 and while none of us would wish that environment as a learning ground,
20:57 I think when that happens, um,
20:59 it gives you an opportunity really to see how you can thrive under pressure. Um,
21:04 what, uh, what your process is for evaluating,
21:06 how you're going to keep people together and keep people united if you're
21:09 navigating, um, you know, a little bit of an uphill, uphill stream. So, um,
21:13 I'm grateful for those, uh, those times that have been, been challenging.
21:17 Cause I think they,
21:18 they prepare you for what's next and help you feel more confident, uh,
21:21 and navigating any situation that comes in front of you.
21:24 And this place has been through some trying times in the last decade.
21:27 Are you comfortable with the image of this department right now? I mean,
21:31 judging from your opening statements, you are,
21:32 but do you think it's where it needs to be right now,
21:35 given everything that's happened?
21:36 I don't think we ever want to say we're where we need to be.
21:39 I know no one on our staff, um,
21:41 whether you're talking about competitive success or the best version of who we
21:44 are, I hope we're always a work in progress. Um, you know, I, I,
21:48 certainly we, just like any other institutions have had trying moments. Um,
21:52 I think it's important that although I wasn't there here for those that I
21:56 understand what those issues are, um,
21:58 what those issues were like then and try to ensure and help support us and not
22:02 making, um, any repetitive mistakes. Um, but we're, it's a,
22:06 it's always going to be a work in progress. Um,
22:08 I am incredibly proud of what I see here. Um,
22:12 the people that I see here and I,
22:13 and the belief that we are really trying to serve people the right way to serve
22:17 our institution the right way and to support our student athletes and everybody
22:21 else in a, in a manner that's going to be respectful and inclusive for everybody.
22:24 Um, but it doesn't mean we're not going to have, um, uh, you know,
22:28 places where we can grow and get better. Um,
22:30 and the goal is to create that positive environment.
22:32 If we see something that's not going well, we're going to address it.
22:34 We're going to insert accountability. Uh,
22:36 we're going to learn from it and we're going to move forward.
22:38 I've heard from a lot of your past colleagues,
22:41 coaches who've really appreciated your coaching background.
22:44 How does that help you as an administrator when you've been in their shoes
22:48 before?
22:48 Yeah. Yeah. I certainly wish I could say I'd been in the shoes of some of our
22:52 folks here, whether that's a Lisa Salucci or Tom Brands,
22:55 and some of the successes they had. But, um, it, you know, it does, I think for,
22:59 for me, it helps, uh, it helps give me a little bit of perspective, um,
23:03 of what it was like in their shoes. Um, I'm certainly still jealous.
23:06 I miss coaching every day. Um, you know,
23:09 writing the lineups on a back on the back of a napkin and trying to figure out
23:13 what, uh, what comes next. That just, you know, loved practices is the,
23:17 it was the best time of the day. Um,
23:19 but I also understand what it's like when you've got, you know,
23:22 a student athlete you've been, uh, you know,
23:24 you really been working with and maybe something doesn't go exactly the way you
23:27 want. When you get that phone call from the recruit,
23:29 you've been chasing for a long time that says, Hey,
23:32 I've made a different decision. And so I think it allows me to be empathetic,
23:35 um, and at least have a perspective,
23:37 even though times have changed since I've been coaching, um, that,
23:40 that hopefully is helpful, um,
23:42 when they have challenges or opportunities they want to discuss.
23:45 And what, in what areas would you say your management style might be similar to
23:49 Gary's and what ways might, might it be different?
23:51 Did you say leadership style?
23:53 Management style as Gary's and how it might be different.
23:58 How might I, how can I fancy manage things differently?
24:00 Yeah. Um, you know, it's a hard question to answer about, about yourself.
24:03 And so it may be a good question for,
24:05 for some of the folks I get to work with. But, um,
24:08 I think with all of us and even though this component will be different,
24:11 we all have to lead and manage in a way that's really authentic, um,
24:15 to ourselves. Um, and so, you know, you've gotta,
24:17 you've gotta figure out how to do that in a way that you can build, you know,
24:20 I think a trusting, respectful, personal and professional relationship, um,
24:25 you know, with everyone around you. Certainly that's what I had, uh,
24:28 had with Gary. Um, but you know, I think at the end of the day,
24:31 it's really about, it's about people. It's about really listening.
24:34 It's about understanding who we are at Iowa.
24:37 It's not about what's who's the best in some other league or the best in the big
24:42 10. It's about how do we be the best version of, of,
24:45 of being a Hawk and in each sport. And I think as you, as you do that,
24:49 as a understand that as a leader, understand what it means to each program,
24:53 um, then you can, you can support and, and, and help lead in that way.
24:57 What does it seem to stand out about this department is the coaching stability.
25:01 And you see Lisa back there, Kirk and Fran,
25:04 what does that mean to you and what does it mean to this athletic department to
25:07 have that kind of stability?
25:08 There's really no words that do that justice. No one. I mean,
25:12 and I mean no one in the country, um, can,
25:15 can take a look across the department and say, Hey, we have that experience,
25:19 uh, the success, the tradition, the type of people that Iowa has. I mean,
25:24 so there's just no way really to measure that except for to recognize each day,
25:28 how fortunate we are to have these hall of fame coaches that are running around
25:33 our halls each and every day. Um, and the legacy they've created,
25:36 the legacy they're going to leave, uh, for many decades to come. Um,
25:40 it's just really, it's really neat and really special. I mean, you've,
25:43 you have, um, just the most experienced, uh,
25:46 staffs across the board in many of our sports. Um,
25:49 and they've accomplished a lot and it's,
25:51 and it's comforting to walk in a building every day when you know,
25:53 you've got, you know,
25:54 you have people that have done it for so long and done it, done it so well.
25:57 Secret that there's been the most transformative change, um,
26:02 in the NCAA and the relationship with student athletes in last five years,
26:07 let alone 10, uh, that in history of the, of the amateur athletics,
26:11 the next front potentially could be student athlete pay, uh,
26:15 by the universities themselves. Where do you stand on that?
26:19 What do you see as the likely scenario in the future?
26:23 Well, I wish I knew the exact answer to that question, Scott, about,
26:26 about how those scenarios play out, because there's a lot of different, um,
26:30 well, a lot of different ways that decision may come to be,
26:33 whether that's through federal legislation or through some of the litigation
26:36 that's out there. Um, I, I think college athletics needs to evolve, um,
26:41 and, and how,
26:42 what that means for how we share resources with student athletes, um,
26:46 and what the actual pathway is for happen, uh,
26:49 for that to happen is remains to be seen. Um, but I also believe,
26:53 and I don't think these two things are mutually exclusive.
26:55 I think we can provide greater resource, greater revenue opportunities,
27:00 whether that's within or outside the athletic department and still embed this
27:04 experience with the, with the components that make it, uh,
27:08 that tie it to education, um, and make it different than pro sports.
27:12 Um,
27:13 student athletes not being paid is not the only thing distinctive about college
27:17 athletics, um, and, and between that and pro sports. So, um,
27:21 I think it's incumbent upon us that, uh,
27:23 those of us that get to work and manage and lead in that space to make sure
27:27 they're getting an education, that we're preparing them for what's next. I mean,
27:31 in the big 10 and here at Iowa, as you know, we have a lifetime commitment, um,
27:34 you know, to, to, uh, to helping them earn that degree and not to mention the life
27:38 skills and other things that go around it.
27:40 So it's going to be an interesting path, um,
27:43 hard to predict if that's going to be in five months or five years or another 10
27:47 years, but things are going to continue to change. Um,
27:50 and I think college athletics will continue to be, they may look different,
27:53 they may feel different,
27:54 but I think the experience for the students involved can,
27:57 can still be equally as rewarding and impactful, uh, to them individually, um,
28:02 and to our, to our fan bases as well.
28:04 You mentioned that when this opportunity came up,
28:06 it felt like it was one that you had to be a part of,
28:09 I guess what did you know about Iowa before that, that made you feel that way?
28:13 Well, I know I came here a good handful of times and usually left on the losing
28:16 end of the scoreboard. Um, but, uh, you know, I,
28:21 obviously being spending some time in the big 10 and, and, uh,
28:24 and I'm a Midwest kid. I mean, I, you know,
28:26 three and a half hours is closest I've lived at home in a long time. Um,
28:30 so certainly familiar, um, with the long history here,
28:32 the history and women's athletics, um,
28:35 and I've been following wrestling here for, for a long time. I mean,
28:38 so you knew a lot around the edges and just the reputation, um,
28:42 that Iowa has both in the big 10 and across the country. Um,
28:46 and so all those things were appealing and talk about rewarding to,
28:50 to do all that and show up and then say, Hey, it's even better than what I,
28:54 than what I expected. So it's, um, yeah, again,
28:57 I just feel really grateful to be a part of the, a part of the Hawkeye team.
29:00 When you look at the tradition of, and history of Iowa athletics,
29:04 especially when it comes to women's athletics,
29:06 Christine Grant stands tall among anybody nationally. I mean, what,
29:11 what did you know about her before you came here?
29:12 What have you learned about her since you've been here? And,
29:15 and maybe what's kind of the legacy that she leaves for you,
29:19 for everybody here?
29:20 Yeah. You know,
29:21 how special to have someone like that that that paved a path that not only
29:25 impacted people locally, but across the country. Um,
29:28 I had a chance to meet her once and as a young administrator, um, you know,
29:33 you get to, you go to conferences across the country and,
29:36 and she was a big draw. And so I still remember the,
29:40 the first time you had a chance to listen to her speak and engage with her
29:43 briefly, never knowing I'd actually have a chance to, you know, to,
29:47 to walk around among the places that she had a part in, in developing. Um,
29:51 so I think it's just, I mean, the, it's an incredible lesson,
29:54 even now to our younger athletes who are so,
29:57 feel so far removed from that time, um, about the advocacy and, uh, that,
30:02 that it takes some time to develop opportunities for, uh,
30:05 for sports and for young women and really across, you know, many areas of life.
30:09 So, um, it's, you know, it's a privilege to, to, to be at the place, um, that,
30:13 uh, she started that legacy. Um,
30:16 and we certainly hope we continue to honor that, um, as well as,
30:19 as they have been going forward.
30:20 Speaking so much of women's athletics,
30:22 obviously one of the biggest names in women's athletics at the college level is
30:26 Kaitlin Clark. Um, how much has she been a part of this process for you?
30:31 Have you talked with her quite a bit? Where is that right now?
30:34 Yeah. I mean, again, you're talking about, um,
30:37 we've had a couple here in different sports at Iowa,
30:40 but you've got to just a generational player, um,
30:44 and a generational young woman, um, take basketball aside. I mean, um,
30:48 in the, in the short time I've been around and obviously got to travel with these
30:53 guys for, for three to four weeks when they were making their run.
30:56 And so, uh, even closer look with the, uh,
30:58 with the program and getting to be around, uh, Kaitlin and her teammates. Uh,
31:02 but what she represents,
31:04 what she's chosen to represent outside of just the skills she has in her court.
31:08 And it's not just Kaitlin, it's her teammates as well,
31:10 but they have chosen to be great representatives of Iowa chosen.
31:15 They choose every day to, to be mentors. They recognize that that's important to
31:19 them. Um, and you know, we just,
31:21 you're just so fortunate to have someone like that who took that stage,
31:25 took the opportunity is using it for so much positive across, across the stage.
31:30 But, you know, I'd been on the women's basketball committee. Um,
31:32 so I'd watched a lot of Iowa women's basketball. And so like the rest of, uh,
31:36 well, just like sports fans in any, in any sport you watch, um, was a,
31:40 was a huge fan of just her game before I arrived. So, uh, just like anyone else,
31:45 you can finally get to be in a gym and watch what she does. It's,
31:48 it's pretty special.
31:49 Big part of a big part of 80s legacies go down to head coaching hires.
31:56 If, and when that time comes where you have a high profile opening,
32:01 what's your philosophy in terms of those searches and who,
32:03 what qualities are you looking for?
32:05 Well, short of not letting these guys retire, uh, anytime soon. Uh, but you know,
32:10 one again,
32:10 I was really fortunate because again, those coaches, um,
32:14 have created this great tradition that's going to make, uh,
32:17 make these opportunities just so appealing for, uh, for them, um, for others,
32:21 when, when they become open. But, uh, you know, primarily,
32:24 we was actually just talking with somebody the other day, um,
32:26 about this exact same thing. And,
32:28 and I think the most important thing is to figure out what type of individual
32:33 you need for your institution.
32:34 I personally don't believe that every coach can be equally successful at each
32:38 place. I think it depends on who you are, what you want to be,
32:41 what your culture is, um, and finding the right coach that fits that,
32:47 uh, fits all of those needs.
32:48 So I think it's really important that you sort of define, Hey,
32:50 here are top five priorities in this sport for the person that's going to lead,
32:56 uh, the program going forward.
32:57 And then you start the search process from there to make sure that you are
33:01 looking at candidates that are going to hit all those marks.
33:03 Yes. Kind of clarifying something that was asked earlier about Brian Farrington.
33:08 Is the contract provision still in place? The 25 points per game?
33:12 It is.
33:13 So following up off that, if he doesn't hit 25 points per game,
33:20 are you planning on following that or?
33:23 Well, let me lead with this, his goal.
33:26 And I know cause I've sat down with him, I sat down with Kirk and really the goal
33:30 of every coach that we have here is to win games. Right. Um,
33:33 and I'm a hundred percent convinced I was going into those conversation.
33:37 I was going out, uh, that,
33:39 that their focus is on how do we win football games and how do we develop these
33:43 young men? Um, and so, you know, as we look at those types of things,
33:47 just like we would in any sport,
33:49 you're going to evaluate a season at the end, um, and see how you did.
33:53 But the goal is to, to win along the way. Um,
33:56 and I won some ugly games as a coach and I never gave any of them back. Um,
34:00 but I'm, I'm confident. Um, I know they're excited.
34:03 I know you all have now had a chance to see that team. Um,
34:05 we're excited about what they're going to do on the field.
34:07 And we understand it's unique.
34:09 We understand it's going to be talked about a lot, um,
34:11 but it's just not something we're going to be thinking about. Um, you know,
34:14 weekend and week out, we're going to cheer for the team, support the program,
34:17 support our coaches the way we always do. And you know,
34:20 we'll evaluate at the end of the season.
34:22 - Okay, thank you, Pat.
34:24 Thank you everyone for coming.