The Gary Barta bombshell was made for social media.
Of course, on Friday morning, news broke that Barta would be retiring on Aug. 1. After 17 years leading the Iowa Hawkeyes, a new athletics director will soon be presiding over the University of Iowa’s athletics.
Iowa won four wrestling national championships and just played in the women’s basketball national title with Caitlin Clark and co. this past spring. In addition to those accomplishments, Iowa captured 27 Big Ten team crowns under Barta’s watch.
Still, the Barta story at Iowa isn’t one without controversy. It’s a complicated legacy that resulted in a series of discrimination settlements totaling over $11 million during his run as the Hawkeyes’ athletics director.
Naturally, given the complicated history, some Iowa fans saw this as a welcome bit of good news. Meanwhile, others pointed out that the Hawkeyes’ athletics programs have had a fair bit of success with Barta as the AD.
Iowa fans had plenty to say on social media about the news on Friday morning. From potential replacement candidates to just pure shock, here were the best reactions to the breaking news.
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After 17 years at Iowa, Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics Chair Gary Barta announces his retirement. #Hawkeyes
— The Iowa Hawkeyes (@TheIowaHawkeyes) May 26, 2023
Congrats to Gary.
This is what I know from living this business: Iowa is seen as a top 20 job in country. Great fan base. Great city. Cushy job but seen as having a wealth of potential. If someone is aggressive, Iowa can go higher.
A lot of sitting ADs covet this job. https://t.co/PhtPHcA7DL
— Kyle Bowlsby (@kbowlsby) May 26, 2023
It’s a good morning
— Lucy Rohden (@lucy_rohden) May 26, 2023
Gary Barta isn’t retiring. It’s all a ruse. At today’s announcement, he unzips his skin from behind his neck to reveal a younger, more sleek looking Gary Barta. He’s only 30 years old in this version and good for another 40+ as Iowa AD. The sun then engulfs us all. #Hawkeyes
— Cody Hills (@ByCodyHills) May 26, 2023
As your athletic director, the student section moves to half court.
— hawkize (@stillnothawkize) May 26, 2023
Gary Barta oversaw Iowa competing for B1G championships in multiple sports annually. The next AD should be aiming for NCAA championships
— Slater (@SlaterKinnick_) May 26, 2023
Very interested to see what happens on the NIL front. It’s been well-reported that Gary Barta didn’t utilize all of his power/influence to maximize Iowa’s NIL Collective.
New AD needs to embrace the changing landscape head-on and do whatever it takes to compete.
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) May 26, 2023
New AD needs to
1. Make NIL a priority
2. Figure out what to do with KF eventual retirement
3. Adjust the student section seating at Carver.— Mike Ott (Lover of beer and green bean casserole) (@DustyBottoms04) May 26, 2023
With Barta gone, can someone please focus on removing the open space behind the hoop at carver?
— HawkeyeNTexas (@HawkeyeNTexas) May 26, 2023
Wait a minute…..
Since Brian reports directly to Gary and Gary is retiring….
Is Brian the new AD???— Hawkeye Elvis (@HawkeyeElvis) May 26, 2023
The question we all want answered: who will be Brian Ferentz’ next boss?
— Hawkeye Nation (@hawkeyenation) May 26, 2023
The next AD MUST do this:
Win. Graduate. Do it right.
— Felts (PAIN) (@Zhawk44) May 26, 2023
I’m officially declaring my interest in being the next Iowa AD.
— Ivan Bologna (@PV_GIA) May 26, 2023
Kirk Ferentz, Fran McCaffery, and Lisa Bluder are all in their 60s. Whoever is next will likely make some major hires over the next 5-10 years.
— Hawkeye Nation (@hawkeyenation) May 26, 2023
Jordan Bohannon should be our new AD
— Barstool Iowa (@BarstoolUIowa) May 26, 2023
Gene Taylor on line 1.
— I Love Iowa Basketball (@ILoveIowaBball) May 26, 2023
The top name I’d look at to replace Gary Barta is Beth Goetz.
She joined as Iowa’s Deputy Director of Athletics and Chief Operating Officer (COO) in Sept 2022.
Was previously AD at Ball State.
Very well-liked and respected within Iowa Athletics.
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) May 26, 2023
I would expect deputy AD Beth Goetz to be a major candidate to replace Barta. She has received very positive reviews since arriving in Iowa City.
— Tom Kakert (@HawkeyeReport) May 26, 2023
My guess is that deputy AD Beth Goetz will be promoted as Gary Barta’s replacement. I believe she was brought in for that very reason, and have been told that more or less.
— Pat Harty (@PatHarty) May 26, 2023
The Iowa AD search should start and end with Beth Goetz.
Experienced as an athletic director, experienced in the Big Ten, experienced in keeping the “student” in “student-athlete” and it’s about time for Iowa to put a woman into its role overseeing athletics again. #Hawkeyes
— Cody Hills (@ByCodyHills) May 26, 2023
Quick PSA in response to the news from the school out east:
If your first reaction to one of the names being floated is to disqualify her because she’s a woman, you are the problem.
— Stephanie Copley (@StephCopley) May 26, 2023
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