College Football: The Mount Rushmore for the 30 best programs of all time
By Brad Weiss
Iowa Hawkeyes: Chuck Long, Nile Kinnick, Tim Dwight, Hayden Fry
The Iowa Hawkeyes football program has been around for over 100 years. Within that time, they have taken home four national titles. With 27 All-Americans, one Heisman Trophy winner, and 13 conference championships, the Hawkeyes have a long-standing tradition of being one of the better programs in the country.
Chuck Long
When it comes to the quarterback position at Iowa, nobody did it better than Chuck Long, who set nearly every passing record during his time as the starter. An All-American and Big Ten Player of the Year, Iowa fans went crazy when Long decided to return for his senior season, where he finished as the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy. A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Long went 35-13-1 as the starting quarterback for the Hawkeyes.
Nile Kinnick
The man who the school named their football stadium after, Nile Kinnick is the only member of the Hawkeyes family to ever win the Heisman Trophy. A stellar running back, Kinnick was a multi-sport athlete for Iowa, won the Maxwell Award, but unfortunately saw his life cut short at 24-years old when he died in a training flight in World War II. Still, you cannot think of Iowa football without mentioning Kinnick.
Hayden Fry
When Hayden Fry took over as head coach of the Hawkeyes, the program was in the trash, as they had gone 17 straight seasons with a losing record. By the time Fry was finished at Iowa, he had completely changed the culture surrounding the program, as he was three-times named a Big Ten Coach of the Year. He is now enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame.
Tim Dwight
An absolutely electric wide receiver and punt returner, Tim Dwight was one of the better return men the college football game has ever seen. A two-time All-American for the Hawkeyes, Dwight set the conference record for punt return yards, and touchdowns, while also setting the conference record for receiving yards. In 1997, he finished seventh on the Heisman Trophy ballot and was also a star on the school’s track team.