Opinion: Iowa football fans need to be realistic

Editor’s note: Lon Olejniczak was a member of the Iowa football and baseball teams, starting in 1979, and played several positions for the Hawkeyes, including quarterback, linebacker, tight end and kicker. He was an All-American high school player from Decorah.

CEDAR RAPIDS — I’ve been an Iowa football fan for more than 45 years, and like many Hawkeye supporters, I live and breathe this team.

Since Hayden Fry took over in 1979, we’ve seen 37 winning seasons — an incredible accomplishment in college football. We have a growing number of fans who feel 12 straight winning seasons, second best in the Big Ten and seventh in the country, is no longer good enough.

In my opinion, the combination of social media, NIL and unrealistic expectations created a platform for the negative vocal minority to gather momentum. In today’s world of clicks and likes, 280-word soundbites and so-called experts dominate our media and drown out most of our great fan base.

The question is: What are we measuring success by?

Some fans criticize our offense, claiming it’s outdated. However, Coach Kirk Ferentz has always adapted, most recently by hiring Tim Lester to run a new offensive system used by successful NFL teams. The system showed improvement in its first year, and it will continue to evolve.

As for those who feel we can’t "buy" a quarterback like other schools long-term, they’re right. Our hardworking fans and the ANF logo symbolize a program that doesn’t have the financial power of others, but we still compete because of the culture Coach Ferentz has built. It’s not about money — it’s about resilience, discipline and a process that builds football players and men.

Some argue we’re too cautious, unwilling to take risks. But in the moment, football decisions are shaped by statistics, personnel and gut instinct — factors that separate the great coaches from the rest. Coach Ferentz’s steady leadership and focus on a repeatable, growth-oriented process have led us to 11 consecutive bowl games, a remarkable achievement in today’s college football landscape.

The reality is, winning consistently is tough. But Iowa has proved time and again that with the right culture — one focused on growth, improvement and the development of young men — we can compete at a high level.

As Pat Angerer once said, “We will fight anyone for Iowa, but we will die for Coach Ferentz.” That’s the heart of this program: not just building athletes but building character.

Iowa fans should be proud of what we’ve accomplished and embrace the culture that’s made us successful. While we all want championships, let’s remember sustained success, like we’ve had for more than four decades, is rare and hard-earned.

Let's continue to be the great fans known across the country as one of the toughest places to play in college football. This is a great way to support and celebrate our program, contribute to winning and appreciate the foundation Coach Fry and Coach Ferentz have built.