1965

Bill Briggs sits dejected on the Iowa sideline.

August
Things looked great for the Hawkeyes. Snook was returning, as was Karl Noonan, one of the country’s top receivers, and John Niland, a pre-season all-American at offensive guard. Playboy magazine predicted Iowa would end the season at the top nationally and named Burns as its coach of the year.

September 18
For the first time in a dozen years, Iowa lost its season opener. In a game full of errors, the Washington State Cougars held on for the 7-0 victory.

October 16
Quarterback Snook, who had a party boy reputation that grew by rumor and exaggeration throughout his years at Iowa, was booed unmercifully during the Minnesota game. As Al Grady noted in his book, 25 Years with the Fighting Hawkeyes, “It may have been the first time in football history that a quarterback (Snook) had to wave to try to quiet the boos of his own fans so his team could hear the signals.”

The Hawkeyes lost the game 14-3.

November 16
With one game remaining the Board in Control of Athletics asked Burns to resign. When he refused, he and his assistants were fired.

People around the state felt the entire situation was handled badly, making Burns a lame duck almost on the eve of the final game of the season. When that was over, the Hawkeyes sported a 1-9 record.

Coach Burns accepted the public humiliation like a gentleman. He thanked the university administration, the students, and the alumni for their support, and he told one writer:

“I’ve learned a lot in the last five years. I like to think I’ve adopted a pretty good philosophy on life. I’ve learned there are a lot of things more important than the winning or losing of a football game.”

December 11
Ray Nagel was named head coach at Iowa.

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