Kirk Ferentz praises how Mark Gronowski took on leadership role

Mark Gronowski was in a difficult spot this offseason, transferring up from the FCS to the FBS. However, Kirk Ferentz has said he has since taken his place not just as Iowa’s quarterback but as their leader as well.

Ferentz discussed Gronowski and how he has come along as a leader for the Hawkeyes while with the media on Tuesday. He began by explaining the challenges he had in doing so, not just as a transfer but one who was limited by an injury once he arrived. But, in being natural about it, Gronowski set himself up best to take control once he returned.

“You know, it’s a challenge for any newcomer to become a leader in a program. He’s been here less than a year, a calendar year. And then double the challenge because he came in after surgery, so he was in a brace or whatever they call those things. And so, he’s not participating in some of the stuff and the winter time is a really intensive strength and conditioning program, so he’s not doing that full-speed. He’s recovering. Nothing he can do about it,” Ferentz said. “But, I think his approach was really smart and mature, the way he did it. He didn’t try to force anything. He just kind of organically earned everybody’s respect, I think, and just the way he operates.”

Now, since being a full participant, it has come more naturally for Gronowski. That’s with the Hawkeyes’ quarterback able to put action behind his words in front of all his new teammates from this summer and since into fall camp.

“I think it became easier once he was able to actually practice, you know, and be able to be involved in the summer program and be part of the team that way and doing all the stuff that everybody else was doing,” Ferentz said. “I think that’s really where it accelerated, when the guys got to know him a little bit differently and watched him compete – whatever they might’ve been doing, strength, conditioning, all that stuff. And, you know, it has carried over into the football.”

This now comes down to how well Gronowski plays this fall for Iowa. He has at least set himself a foundation, though, for this team of his to follow him into the season, especially now as a team captain for the Hawkeyes.

“He’s just got a good way about him. He’s a really humble guy. Don’t want to say understated, but he’s got a quiet confidence. There’s no arrogance there at all,” Ferentz said. “I think it’s easy to, you know, look at the guy and say, ‘Okay, this is somebody we want to follow.’

“You know, he has got to play good too and that’s part of the deal, but he has done that. He’s just been a really good teammate. It’s been a gradual process, and I really credit him for not trying to force it because, you know, you could see somebody having that inclination but he didn’t do that.”