Hawk Central Hour

Big Ten Football Media Days are in the books, and the Register's Chad Leistikow is already back from Indianapolis and discusses the newsy developments with Hawk Central teammate Tyler Tachman. The Hawkeye beat duo discusses the depth chart, top takeaways on offense and on defense and in general for Iowa, which is picked in the top six of the preseason media polls.

We've waited more than nine months to hear from Cade McNamara after his torn ACL, and now we have a sense of where the Hawkeyes quarterback is at in his recovery and what it means for the 2024 football season. Plus, more observations and feedback from Iowa basketball practices, including an in-depth talk on the Iowa women. The Register's Chad Leistikow, Tyler Tachman and Dargan Southard have you covered on a fresh episode of the Hawk Central Hour.

Iowa football offensive line coach George Barnett joins the Register's Chad Leistikow for a compelling 27-minute interview to highlight this week's Hawk Central. We talk about George's incredible eighth-grade son, the Tim Lester offense and what's ahead for his offensive line in 2024. Tyler Tachman later joins Chad to discuss their eye-opening time at Iowa men's basketball practice.

Although we're fully into the offseason of college athletics, plenty has been happening in Iowa City this month. The Register's Tyler Tachman and Dargan Southard dissect all recent things Hawkeyes, including new women's basketball hires, Cade McNamara and more.

Chad Leistikow is joined by Iowa women's basketball assistant coach Raina Harmon for some summer stories and updates after conversation with the Register's Tyler Tachman on this week's Hawkeye football buzz. Programming note: We will be back the week of July 10 with our next (planned) podcast.

As a way to dig deeper into the 2024 Iowa football season, the Register's Chad Leistikow and Tyler Tachman offer their bold (or at least mildly bold) predictions. Men's basketball, women's basketball and Caitlin Clark's Olympic snub are also discussed, with help from Dargan Southard.

Some Iowa football assistant coaches will begin to cycle through the Hawk Central Radio Hour this summer, and first to take the handoff is none other than Ladell Betts. The former Hawkeye and NFL running back now leads the running backs room at Iowa, and he offered great insight into the Tim Lester offense and why he was able to retain all of his talent. The Register's Chad Leistikow is also joined by Tyler Tachman, and they discuss the new QB addition, Ben Kueter's wrestling decision and Payton Sandfort's basketball return.

Slow weeks no longer exist in the world of college athletics, and that's certainly the case with the $2.8 billion House settlement that is expected to reshape the college model, including a "salary cap" of $22 million per school starting in the 2025 football season. Plus, Hawkeye football recruiting and the new Public Enemy No. 1 for Iowa fans: Christie Sides.

On May 16, 2024, Spencer Lee lets his guard down, just a little bit. The iconic wrestler with an almost cruel history of injury timing sits down with Chad Leistikow of The Des Moines Register to detail his past challenges while looking ahead to what it'll take for him to conquer the 16-wrestler bracket in the 2024 Summer Olympics.

The Register's Chad Leistikow had a chance to "wing it" with new Iowa women's basketball coach Jan Jensen, who for nearly an hour candidly discussed everything from her Twitter handle to her bout with vertigo right before some big news to the excitement she has for her new role.

Just another crazy-busy week in May. The Register's Chad Leistikow is first joined by Dargan Southard to break down Jan Jensen's introductory press conference on Wednesday, plus interviews with Beth Goetz and Lisa Bluder after Monday's bombshell news. Tyler Tachman joins Chad to talk about Brendan Sullivan and the NBA Scouting Combine. Plus, Kirk Ferentz's appearance in West Des Moines delivered some updates and news.

Monday became a monumental day in Iowa women's basketball history, as the program announced Lisa Bluder's retirement and Jan Jensen's elevation to lead the Hawkeyes. The Register's Chad Leistikow and Dargan Southard dissect the news from all angles and analyze what this means for the program moving forward.

The Register's Chad Leistikow and Tyler Tachman record their thoughts on Northwestern transfer Brendan Sullivan ahead of his commitment to the Hawkeyes while also looking at the wide-receivers room, the men's basketball situation and more. Dargan Southard joins Chad for 23 good minutes on the Iowa women, starting with a new potential portal target from Arkansas.

As the Register's Chad Leistikow states in his introduction to Wednesday's Hawk Central Hour on KXnO, there may not be a more influential figure in Iowa athletics right now than Brad Heinrichs. The Iowa SWARM Collective CEO joins the show with some great insight on challenges, rewards and the ins and outs of his (unpaid) job.

The transfer-portal conversation got boosted on Tuesday with the news that Deacon Hill, who started nine games for Iowa last season, was departing the Hawkeyes. The Register's Chad Leistikow and Tyler Tachman use that conversation to have a larger-picture look at the QB situation and the possibilities to pivot. We also dig into the encouraging and concern aspects of spring ball. Basketball is not forgotten, on the men's side with Tyler and the women's buzz with Dargan Southard.

The weather was anything but pleasant Saturday at Kinnick Stadium, but those bundled up inside still caught a glimpse of what's to come this fall with the 2024 Hawkeyes. The Register's Chad Leistikow and Tyler Tachman break down what they saw from Iowa's open practice to conclude the spring.

In a podcast-only edition of Hawk Central this week, the Register's Chad Leistikow and Tyler Tachman go wire-to-wire with a surprise appearance (you'll see why) via Caitlin Clark in the middle of a football segment. We talk WNBA Draft, the transfer-portal options for Lisa Bluder, spring football, men's hoops and the band AJR.

The remarkable 34-5 Iowa women's basketball season is in the books. The Register's Chad Leistikow and Dargan Southard take time to reflect on their time in Cleveland and what this team accomplished, both on the court and off of it ... from Caitlin Clark to the other seniors like Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall. Also in this episode we'll dive into some spring football storylines and men's basketball roster-shaping.

Iowa knew it would take a near-flawless effort to topple these mighty Gamecocks. The Hawkeyes had flashes of brilliance, including a double-digit lead early, but South Carolina's relentless depth eventually wore Iowa down en route to an 87-75 win. Caitlin Clark's decorated college career has come to an end after an incredible stretch that has redefined Iowa women's basketball expectations. Live from Cleveland, the Register's Dargan Southard and Chad Leistikow sift through the aftermath.

The Hawkeyes needed every ounce they had to sneak by mighty UConn in Friday's Final Four matchup. Iowa needed a second-half rally after sluggish start, then had to hold off the Huskies down the stretch. But Iowa did it, and now gets South Carolina Sunday afternoon for it all. Live from Cleveland, the Register's Chad Leistikow and Dargan Southard dissect another crazy night.