Legends of Kinnick

To this point I’ve had a lot of guys on the podcast. The funny thing about it is that the majority of the Legends I’ve had on had made a change in position from whatever they were recruited to Iowa to do. I have one of Iowa football’s true hidden gems. If it weren’t for injuries and lack of depth along the defensive line, Mitch Kkng may not have become the household name that he is. Ironically tho, the accolades really didn’t seem to motivate this defensive juggernaut but like all my former guests, the Pride he had within himself pushed him to sore like a Hawkeye in opponents backfield’s .....

Ladies & Gentlemen ....... Mitch King

1 of the most decorated Hawkeyes that ever wore the Black & Gold is a man that few people even know about. Mr. John Niland played for the Hawks in a time before coaches Ferentz & Frye, before much Hawkeye success and before it was even called Kinnick Stadium ..... Kinnick was named “Iowa Stadium” until 1972. His All-Conference, All-American, Pro Bowl & All-Pro career will at some point get him to Canton Ohio as an NFL Hall of Famer but in the mean time I’m happy to have him as a guest on Legends of Kinnick ......

Ladies & Gentlemen .... Mr. John “Nightlife” Niland

The next guest I have the pleasure of welcoming to the show only had to fill the shoes of the program’s most decorated kicker of all-time and Kyle Schlicher was able to do just that. In his 3 years as a starter, he was tops in the Big Ten in kicking and left Iowa tied with Rob Houghtlin for the most in a single season. This all-big ten performer left his mark on the Iowa program and his life after football has been one made for legends.

Ladies & Gentlemen ..... Kyle Schlicher

The Hawkeye football program has been blessed with some great running backs over the program’s history. My next guest was one of the Iowa football program’s biggest stars ... Fred Russell’s career as a Hawkeye was dominant and he remains one of Iowa Football’s all time greatest....

Ladies & Gentlemen ....... Fred Russell

World renowned Inspirational Auhor, Israelmore Ayivor quotes:

“Leaders believe that falling is not failing, but refusal to rise up after falling is the real form of failure!”

This quote best speaks to today’s guest. Struggles are apart of ALL of our lives but Clinton Solomon didn’t let his struggles defeat him....

Ladies & Gentlemen.... Clinton Solomon

With a Nose for Football, Pat Angerer made play after play on his way to being named All-Conference & All-American. Another Hawkeye product out of the same Bettendorf High School that produced Hawk Legend Tavoan Banks, this gifted defensive Ball Hawk managed to always be present. His 2009 season performance still puts him amongst the top 5 all-time single season tacklers with 145....

Ladies & Gentlemen ............ Patrick Aaron Angerer

The Legends of Kinnick podcast has taken us down some awesome paths and the next guest is NO exception. Marcus Paschal had tremendous career patrolling Iowa’s secondary, but take a listen to how that almost wasn’t the case! From the uncertainty navigating the recruiting process to competing in a super talented Defensive Back’s room. His story has all the familiarity of a unique Hawk story!

Ladies & Gentlemen..... Marcus Paschal

The University of Iowa has done well throughout the years of recruiting student athletes from junior and community colleges throughout the country. These athletes have taken a different route due to any number of reasons. My next guest went this route and found a lot of success in his career. CJ Jones was a Florida product with a lot of speed and the talent to step in right away and contribute offensively for the Hawkeyes. However, it was on special teams that CJ really stood out throughout his time at Iowa. During his two years at Iowa, Jones recorded 72 catches for 902 yards and 10 scores. He caught 9 touchdown passes in Iowa's 2002 BCS season. His opening kickoff 100 yard return for touchdown in the Orange Bowl remains the longest in the history of that game!

Ladies & Gentlemen.... CJ Jones

Today’s guest came to the University of Iowa from just a mere hour and a half away in Dyersville, Iowa. This small town is known for the 1989 movie “Field of Dreams,” staring Kevin Costner, being a small farming community & being home to Hawk Legend Mike Haight. Early on in Coach Hayden Fry’a tenure he was able to land a prime time recruit that would end up solidifying an offensive line in the mid 80s that would lead the way for NFL Pro Bowler Ronnie Harmon, blacking for Heisman candidate Chuck Long & becoming Big Ten offensive lineman of the year in 1985. Mike Haight’s rise to becoming a Legend wasn’t easy but his story will help you understand the dynamic of Hawkeye Football’s early Fry Teams.

Ladies & Gentleman.... Mike Haight

Today’s guest hails from Buffalo Grove Illinois where he helped his Stevenson Patriots football team earn three straight trips to state playoffs . . . He was also team captain as a senior . . . rushed 153 times for 1,657 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior . . . Not to mention 182 carries for 1,149 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior. He Earned first team all-state, all-area and all-conference honors as a senior . . . Not to mention all-county, all-area and all-conference honors as a junior. My guest chose the Air Force Academy out of high school with the interest in both the armed forces and pursuing his athletic dreams with the Falcons. After a short stint there he made the decision to leave and walk-on at Iowa. Mark Weisman started his career at Iowa a 7th string Full-back and left Iowa as a legend.

Ladies & Gentlemen....... Mark Weisman