Rest In Peace, Bill Brashier

One of the outstanding issues about Iowa soccer is that this system has had solely two head coaches since 1979: Hayden Fry and Kirk Ferentz. Contemplating the typical tenure for a university soccer head coach might be round 3-4 years, the truth that Iowa has had simply two in 40+ years is wildly inconceivable. You possibly can solely preserve a 20+ 12 months tenure at a program with sustained success, although, and Fry and Ferentz managed that by means of a shared basis: rock-solid defenses. Kirk Ferentz started his tenure with the incomparable Norm Parker and changed him with the also-excellent Phil Parker (no relation) after Norm retired in 2011. For Hayden Fry, his right-hand man at defensive coordinator was Invoice Brashier, who handed away on the age of 93 final Friday. 

Brashier, like Fry, was a folksy Texan. He was born in Eastland, Texas, on Might 30, 1929 and went to be a three-year starter at North Texas, the place he performed quarterback, defensive again, and punter. (That is positively Nile Kinnick-esque.) Brashier was no slouch as a participant, both — he had 10 interceptions within the 1951 season and 19 for his profession at North Texas; each nonetheless stand as college data for the Imply Inexperienced. After serving a three-year stint within the Navy and spending time as a graduate assistant at UTEP, Brashier finally discovered himself again at North Texas, this time as a coach. He spent 11 years as a coach at North Texas and that is the place his affiliation with Hayden Fry started — he was a member of Fry’s Imply Inexperienced employees within the Nineteen Seventies. 

When Fry acquired the Iowa job, he introduced Brashier, a lifelong Texan, with him to Iowa Metropolis, first as defensive backs coach after which as defensive coordinator. Brashier, like Fry, shortly acclimated to life in Iowa and have become entrenched in Iowa Metropolis, serving on Hayden’s employees till his retirement in 1995. He was finally promoted to assistant head coach earlier than the 1983 season. In Brashier’s ultimate recreation, the 1995 Solar Bowl, Iowa beat Washington, 38-18. Throughout Brashier’s 17 years on the Iowa employees, the Hawkeyes received 8+ video games 10 occasions, went to 12 bowls (together with three Rose Bowls), and claimed three Large Ten championships. It was, with out query, one of the profitable durations of within the historical past of Hawkeye soccer. 

Hayden Fry’s Iowa groups have a repute for offensive innovation — Hayden emphasised passing in a manner not seen below the three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust approaches championed by Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler to such success. However Hayden knew that you can not compete within the Large Ten — and positively couldn’t contend for championships — and not using a lockdown protection, and Brashier helped construct that for the Hawkeyes. In Iowa’s first Rose Bowl season below Fry, the protection held opponents to 13.1 ppg, 14th within the nation. The Hawkeyes ranked within the Prime 25 in scoring protection 5 occasions between 1981 and 1986, and once more in 1991; not coincidentally, these years are additionally when Iowa made three Rose Bowl appearances. 

15 defensive gamers from Iowa had been chosen within the NFL Draft throughout Brashier’s tenure. That features future Corridor of Famer Andre Tippett, in addition to standouts Merton Hanks and Larry Station. He additionally coached a number of different gamers who did not go on to have notable NFL careers however have carved out spectacular teaching legacies of their very own, together with the Stoops brothers (Bob, Mike, and Mark) and Bret Bielema. 

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz, who coached alongside Brashier on these ’80s Iowa groups, had this to say about his life and legacy: 

“Invoice Brashier was an incredible defensive coach. Management was an integral a part of each victory and championship our program achieved within the 1980’s and 1990’s, and I used to be honored to teach alongside him as a younger assistant. He acquired the best possible out of all of his gamers each single day. They beloved and revered him as a pacesetter and as an individual.

“Invoice was by no means flamboyant or flashy. He didn’t search the highlight. As a coach, he was with out peer. On prime of that, Invoice was an unimaginable mentor to younger coaches like Barry Alvarez, Dan McCarney and me. There was no higher particular person for a younger coach to be round. Mary and I ship our heartfelt condolences to Invoice’s spouse, Ann, his household, his former gamers and all of his mates.”

Brashier is survived by his spouse, Ann, three kids, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Our ideas exit to the Brashier household as they mourn this loss. Relaxation in peace, Invoice. Your days in Iowa Metropolis will perpetually be celebrated and remembered fondly by Hawkeye followers.