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Chad Leistikow

@chadleistikow.bsky.social

Running back by committee also includes Mark Gronowski. What we learned about Iowa's game plan + can we see a Week 1 to 2 jump for the Hawkeyes?
www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports...

Leistikow's 5 Cy-Hawk thoughts: Iowa football's run-game options, a duel of top kickers

Iowa football players and Kirk Ferentz provide insight into the plan and challenge ahead in facing No. 18-ranked Iowa State.

www.hawkcentral.com

September 2, 2025 at 8:44 PM

Chad Leistikow

@chadleistikow.bsky.social

First DVR Monday of 2025 is up. What did we learn about the rest of the Hawkeyes not wearing #11?
www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports...

Leistikow's DVR Monday: Mark Gronowski aside, what did we learn in Iowa football's opener?

Going back at the film from Iowa's 34-7 win vs. Albany, the defense showed some impressive signs. Also, how did the explosive plays turn out?

www.hawkcentral.com

September 1, 2025 at 2:21 PM

Chad Leistikow

@chadleistikow.bsky.social

The Hawkeyes' best game plan in Ames after seeing the QB performances for both teams on Saturday.
www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports...

Leistikow: Iowa's game plan against Iowa State comes into focus after lackluster opener

The Hawkeyes won't have a quarterback advantage, as usual, against the Cyclones ... but need to get more from Mark Gronowski. What's the plan?

www.hawkcentral.com

August 31, 2025 at 1:11 PM

Chad Leistikow

@chadleistikow.bsky.social

Iowa 34, Albany 7.

Early thoughts from Kinnick (will be updated here).
www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports...

Leistikow's Iowa football vs Albany thoughts: Mark Gronowski disappoints in Hawkeyes debut

Iowa football's lopsided win vs. Albany was marred by the poor passing performance of the starting quarterback. What went wrong for Mark Gronowski?

www.hawkcentral.com

August 31, 2025 at 1:27 AM

Chad Leistikow

@chadleistikow.bsky.social

If you have a loved one struggling with ADHD, you know how tough it can be to get them on the right path. Beau Stephens wasn't diagnosed until college, and it helped turned his life ... and football career ... around.

An inspiring Hawkeye.
www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports...

Leistikow: How Iowa football's Beau Stephens emerged to 'the happiest point in my life'

There's a reason that Iowa offensive line coach George Barnett said he'll "tell (Stephens') story the rest of the years I coach.”

www.hawkcentral.com

August 26, 2025 at 12:40 PM

Chad Leistikow

@chadleistikow.bsky.social

We have a Week 1 depth chart.

And thus, we have Week 1 depth-chart analysis ... and still a few questions.
www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports...

Iowa football's Week 1 depth chart is released: What to know for the opener vs. Albany

Chad Leistikow provides his thoughts about the first depth chart of the 2025 season for the Hawkeyes.

www.hawkcentral.com

August 25, 2025 at 5:57 PM

Chad Leistikow

@chadleistikow.bsky.social

PODCAST: Answering 5 questions about the Hawkeyes' 2025 football schedule.
www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports...

PODCAST: Iowa football's 2025 schedule analysis, McKenna Woliczko's upcoming visit

We ask (and answer) five questions about the Hawkeyes' 2025 football schedule, with the first game week closing in.

www.hawkcentral.com

August 20, 2025 at 4:45 PM

Chad Leistikow

@chadleistikow.bsky.social

Projecting Iowa's Week 1 depth chart.
www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports...

Leistikow: How Iowa football's Week 1 depth chart projects; who starts at left tackle?

Kirk Ferentz didn't provide a summer depth chart to media. So let's take our own swing at how that might look for Iowa Hawkeyes football in Week 1.

www.hawkcentral.com

August 19, 2025 at 12:15 PM

Chad Leistikow

@chadleistikow.bsky.social

The Iowa football opener is big for the Iowa women's basketball program, too ... as top-tier recruit McKenna Woliczko comes to Iowa City. Can the Hawkeyes pull the upset over South Carolina?
www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports...

Leistikow: Iowa women's basketball gets the last shot with top prospect McKenna Woliczko

What will tip McKenna Woliczko's college decision? She and her father share their thoughts ahead of her official Iowa women's basketball visit.

www.hawkcentral.com

August 18, 2025 at 12:57 PM

Chad Leistikow

@chadleistikow.bsky.social

PODCAST: More on Kids Day, quarterbacks, what we learned on the BTN show & some hoops strength and conditioning at the end!
www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports...

PODCAST: Reviewing quarterback film from Kids Day and latest Iowa football story lines

The Register's Chad Leistikow and Tyler Tachman build off their instant-reaction podcast with a more big-picture look at Kids Day.

www.hawkcentral.com

August 13, 2025 at 4:50 PM

Chad Leistikow

@chadleistikow.bsky.social

My game-by-game predictions for the Hawkeyes in 2025.
www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports...

Leistikow: Iowa football score predictions for each game on 2025 schedule

The Register's Chad Leistikow looks at the Hawkeyes' 12 regular-season matchups and predicts the outcomes and final record.

www.hawkcentral.com

August 13, 2025 at 12:42 PM

Chad Leistikow

@chadleistikow.bsky.social

Mark Gronowski's strong play in fall camp has gone beyond the practice clips you've been seeing.
www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports...

Leistikow: Rave reviews that Mark Gronowski is elevating Iowa football's offense, so far

The social-media clips are one thing. Hearing praise from the offensive coordinator and head coach are another.

www.hawkcentral.com

August 9, 2025 at 12:25 AM

Chad Leistikow

@chadleistikow.bsky.social

PODCAST: Previewing media day & Kids Day with my teammate Tyler Tachman.
www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports...

PODCAST: 5 most intriguing position battles to watch at Iowa football's Kids Day practice

Media coverage will ramp up on the Hawkeyes this week with a flood of information and a key practice viewing coming our way.

www.hawkcentral.com

August 6, 2025 at 5:02 PM

Chad Leistikow

@chadleistikow.bsky.social

Expectations about Iowa football in 2025? It's a tough year to figure out with the exciting upside of the offense, mysteries on defense + a daunting schedule.
www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports...

Leistikow: Outlining realistic expectations for Iowa football's 2025 season

Iowa Hawkeyes football is unranked in the coaches' preseason top 25 but has a lot of potential. Exactly where Kirk Ferentz and Co. want to be, right?

www.hawkcentral.com

August 6, 2025 at 12:29 PM

Chad Leistikow

@chadleistikow.bsky.social

Part 2 of my interview with Tim Lester + our long-awaited, full-show podcast.
www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports...

July 30, 2025 at 12:39 PM

Chad Leistikow

@chadleistikow.bsky.social

Live Hawk Central YouTube pod starting at 10am, here's the link to watch! (maybe bonus WBB time too)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tnn3...

What we learned from Iowa's appearance at Big Ten football media days

YouTube video by Hawk Central

www.youtube.com

July 25, 2025 at 2:57 PM

Chad Leistikow

@chadleistikow.bsky.social

“I'm telling you guys, all these (new) kids, I love them. I'm so pumped about them. I can't wait for our fans to see them.”

8 things we learned this summer about Iowa WBB.
www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports...

Leistikow: 8 big things we've learned this summer about Iowa women's basketball

Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball head coach Jan Jensen summarizes what she's seen throughout the summer, with spotlights on the five newcomers.

www.hawkcentral.com

July 23, 2025 at 12:51 PM

Chad Leistikow

@chadleistikow.bsky.social

PODCAST: Tyler & I talk hoops, Rai Braithwaite shares weight-room insights into his process, young guys shining.
www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports...

Podcast: Latest on Hawkeyes hoops; Iowa football's Raimond Braithwaite joins the show

The latest on Iowa's busy basketball offseason. Plus, football strength and conditioning director Raimond Braithwaite joins the Hawk Central Hour.

www.hawkcentral.com

July 16, 2025 at 7:20 PM

Chad Leistikow

@chadleistikow.bsky.social

Raimond Braithwaite is now his his 21st year in Iowa's strength program, the same length as his boss Chris Doyle was. How he was able to take over and stabilize the program in a difficult time, 5 summers ago.
www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports...

Leistikow: Raimond Braithwaite's profound influence on Iowa football's strength program

Raimond Braithwaite says he has not shied away from the Iowa Hawkeyes football training program designed by former boss Chris Doyle.

www.hawkcentral.com

July 16, 2025 at 12:31 PM

Chad Leistikow

@chadleistikow.bsky.social

Brendan Hausen lighting it up, Trevin Jirak looks like the real deal and Fran-era guys coming back to help Ben McCollum.
www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports...

Leistikow's 4 Iowa basketball thoughts: Brendan Hausen's hot day, Trevin Jirak's fast rise

A glimpse at Iowa men's basketball practice and subsequent interviews shed light on the progress of Ben McCollum's first Hawkeye team.

www.hawkcentral.com

July 15, 2025 at 8:59 PM

Chad Leistikow

@chadleistikow.bsky.social

Ben McCollum will join us live as well! 7pm Wednesday, come on out and say hey and listen!

Hawks 101 @iahawks101.bsky.social · Jul 11

Hey Iowa City area skeeters, @chadleistikow.bsky.social and @scottdochterman.bsky.social will be doing their podcast live from Big Grover next Wednesday night!

July 14, 2025 at 4:40 PM

Chad Leistikow

@chadleistikow.bsky.social

She doesn't care about attention, but Abby Stamp remains a key fixture on an Iowa WBB staff with big goals for the future under Jan Jensen.

“I learned from Lisa, Jan and Jenni a long time ago that the players are the ones that deserve the shine.”
www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports...

Leistikow: Spotlight on trusted Iowa women's basketball assistant coach Abby Stamp

Of Jan Jensen's 5 assistant coaches, only Abby Stamp is a holdover from the Lisa Bluder era. Her voice is crucial for Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball

www.hawkcentral.com

July 14, 2025 at 3:15 PM

Chad Leistikow

@chadleistikow.bsky.social

Part II of my sitdown with Kirk Ferentz focuses on what he learned from the NFL dysfunction that helps him today.

Plus, when will he retire? Iowa's 27th-year head coach offers clues.
www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports...

Leistikow: When will Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz retire? It might be a while

In Part 2 of his Des Moines Register interview, Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz tells stories of dysfunction and stability during his coaching career

www.hawkcentral.com

July 9, 2025 at 1:21 PM

Chad Leistikow

@chadleistikow.bsky.social

Drove through Orono, Maine, recently and wondered what Kirk Ferentz's time there was really like. Iowa's HC opens up about what he learned in his 3-year stint there and how it helped him last 27 years (and counting) in his 2nd chance.
www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports...