Bowlsby Rolls on to Stanford

Originally Posted on April 26, 2006 on Foxsports.com

Bob Bowlsby, the University of Iowa' s Athletic Director since 1991, has taken the same position at Stanford.

Bowlsby's tenure at Iowa has been marked by ups and downs.  Depending on your point of view, Bowlsby fired/released/ outlasted Hayden Frye (football), Tom Davis (men's basketball), Dan Gable (wrestling), and Vivien Stringer (women's basketball).  In turn, he hired Kirk Ferentz (football), Steve Alford (men's basketball), Jim Zalesky (wrestling), Tom Brands (wrestling) and Lisa Bluder (women's basketball).

Kirk Ferentz.  While the Ferentz hiring was viewed skeptically at first (who is this guy?), in hindsight Bowlsby had a good eye for talent in that hire.  Ferentz has lead an Iowa football team to enough bowls that it is now unthinkable that the team may not go one year.

Steve Alford.  On the other side of the coin is Steve Alford.  Iowa fans had watched Alford play for Indiana, and knew he had coached a team that had reached the sweet 16.  Once Alford took over the Hawkeyes, the team has endured some rough years - including the Pierre Pierce incident (twice) and some bad seasons.  The past season had the high of winning the Big 10 Tournament, but also had the low of losing in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.  Fans are split fairly evenly over whether Alford should stay or go.

Dan Gable.  Dan Gable is a legend in wrestling circles.  Not only was he an amazing wrestler, he coached teams to championships.  Finishing second was not acceptable in his book.  During Bowlsby's tenure, Gable abruptly left coaching to look a  political career.  Just as shockingly, Gable will return this year to assist the new coach, Tom Brands.

Bowlsby's accomplishments include the multi-million dollar upgrade to Kinnick Stadium and many building projects related to the athletic department.  Raising the funds to do that was no small accomplishment over the past few years. 

Love him or hate him, Bowlsby will be difficult to replace, as there are several looming decisions to be made:  contract extensions for several coaches and  continuing construction and fund drives.