We live in a hot take, diss track world and sometimes it makes a person long for simple respect.
At his Wednesday media availability the reporters asked Dan Lanning about Kirk Ferentz, Iowa head coach since 1999. He's 70 years old and makes $7 million a year, the winningest coach in Big Ten history with a record of 210-126.
"I met him in Big Ten meetings and you feel like you're in the presence of somebody really special," Lanning said.
"He's so humble for what he has accomplished, obviously more Big Ten wins than anybody in the history of the Big Ten speaks for itself. A coach that does it the right way, believes in what he believes in and does it to such a high standard. I've got a lot of admiration and respect for him and the job that he's done at Iowa."
Expressions of ordinary civility have become rare in this world. It's refreshing to hear a coach talk about another program and simply give them credit for their hard work and accomplishments. No sideways slanders, no excuses, no gibes, just respect.
Ferentz has certainly earned it. As an upstart in a 129-year-old league, the Ducks have to ignore being dismissed and discounted at every stop. Every time they visit one of the conference's hallowed venues the dominant storyline is how they'll wilt in the tough environment despite how well-funded they are.
Camp Randall, The Big House and the White Out were tough environments too.
It'd be nice to reach the point where the game is simply described as a good game between two good teams and both coaches get credit for the work they've put in to develop their players. Jealousy is a hell of a drug. The conference seems to run on it.
Lanning spoke too about the rash of coach firings in college football.
“A little hard to wrap your head around,” he told reporters, recorded by Max Torres of On3 Sports. “I’m not sure exactly what the hurry’s for, but it’s part of what we all are aware of and what we signed up for in this profession. It’s a tough profession, but it’s a really rewarding profession.”
This new era of NIL and revenue-sharing demands that fans and athletic departments reset their expectations. Every team has a base of talent now. The margins are smaller than ever, and a conference like the Big Ten is incredibly competitive, particularly in the top half.
The B1G currently has eight teams that are alive for the playoffs with a mark of 5-2 or better. In November Oregon meets four opponents with a winning record.
Winning seasons have grown harder and harder to obtain and the margins have shrunk. Dan Lanning is the right coach for Oregon, now and in the future, but achieving an 11-1 or 10-2 finish and a playoff berth will require a solid month of improvement and growth. The Ducks could play hard, prepare with integrity and still finish 8-4.
The other teams have good coaches too, and it's okay to say so.