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Another special edition of the Hawk Central radio show is upon us, as the Des Moines Register's Chad Leistikow is joined by longtime Hawkeyes writer Scott Dochterman of The Athletic. Chad and Scott primarily talk about the ups and downs of Gary Barta's 17 years as Iowa's athletics director and how strong of a candidate Beth Goetz will be in replacing him. We also dig into Iowa baseball's regional draw with Dargan Southard.

There was a lot of good in the 17-year Gary Barta era at Iowa, most notably on the field. But the negative marks on the Hawkeyes' AD will likely surface above the positivity when Barta's tenure is remembered. Several high-profile lawsuits have severely dented Barta's public perception, to the point where most Iowa fans were celebrating Friday's retirement announcement. The Register's Chad Leistikow and Dargan Southard dissect every angle of this decision and how it affects Iowa athletics moving forward.

The Register's Chad Leistikow and the megastar of women's college basketball convene in West Des Moines for a 45-minute conversation about ... lots of things. What she's working on this summer, what she thinks of the women's basketball season ahead, the portal and offbeat topics including her golf swing. 

Chad Leistikow is joined by Iowa baseball coach Rick Heller from the Big Ten Tournament, where the Hawkeyes beat Michigan on Tuesday and prepare for Indiana on Thursday. Heller discusses his pitching choices and more. Dargan Southard joins Chad later to talk NCAA regional scenarios. And then Tom Kakert of Hawkeye Report comes aboard on a wide-ranging Iowa football conversation, including about season tickets and Cade McNamara's recent trip to California.

The Register's Chad Leistikow shares a notable football update in regards to the sports-gambling investigation involving 26 current Iowa student-athletes. He is joined by KXnO's Andrew Downs to discuss that and the Penn State night game on Sept. 23. But the centerpiece of the show is a 20-minute interview with Iowa baseball coach Rick Heller, whose team has positioned itself for an NCAA regional bid despite some sports-gambling adversity of its own. Finally, Chad and Register colleague Dargan Southard examine Iowa baseball's postseason outlook.

Well, what a week it's already been in Hawkeye athletics with a sports-gambling investigation that identified 26 current student-athletes in five sports dominating headlines. To dig into that complicated topic, the Register's Chad Leistikow hosts conversations with Dargan Southard and Randy Peterson. How hefty will punishments be? Why is the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation involved?  Later, Ohio State beat writer Nathan Baird joins Chad to discuss the transfer of wide receiver Kaleb Brown to the Hawkeye program. Brown comes to Iowa with four years' eligibility and a lot of excitement.

In his final Hawk Central radio hour on KXnO, the Register's Kennington Smith outlines his next move and reflects on his two years in Iowa with Register teammate Chad Leistikow. The pair discusses the concerns and strengths out of Iowa's spring football practice and dissects some intriguing NCAA transfer-portal options at receiver. The fellas also preview the final NFL Draft, and Chad and Kennington offer final words for each other and the Hawkeye audience.

With temperatures hardly resembling April weather, Iowa and head coach Kirk Ferentz wrapped up the 2023 spring practice with Saturday's event at Kinnick Stadium. The Register's Chad Leistikow and Kennington Smith break down what they saw and how much meaning it carries for the upcoming campaign.Show less

The media met Thursday with Iowa offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz, defensive coordinator Phil Parker and special teams guru LeVar Woods as the Hawkeyes close in on concluding the 2023 spring. Two run units operating at program-standard levels. One runs an offense still under plenty of fire after an offseason featuring a QB change, but little else. The Register's Chad Leistikow and Kennington Smith break down the three updates and what they mean for Iowa moving forward.

The final week of Iowa spring football is here, and with the open scrimmage looming Saturday, the Register columnist Chad Leistikow and reporter Kennington Smith break down some of what they're looking for. We dive into two promising position groups, running back and defensive back. There's time for men's basketball portal/big man talk as B.J. Mack departs his Iowa visit.

Three segments, three Iowa athletics topics on tonight's Hawk Central radio show. The Register's Chad Leistikow and Kennington Smith begin with the pressing portal situation for the Iowa men's basketball team, which this week added Valparaiso big man Ben Krikke and now looks to add a certain power forward soon. The Iowa women, meanwhile, now have a precious roster opening ... what to do with it as some of the top options are falling off the table? And when it comes to Iowa football, information has been less prevalent than normal but we're latching onto talk surrounding offensive lineman Logan Jones and quarterback Cade McNamara.

After the Clark/Reese and White House story lines dominated for a few days, let's get back to the inconsistent officiating we saw from Sunday's NCAA title game between Iowa and LSU. Chad Leistikow and Kennington Smith of the Des Moines Register look deeper at the rule book, plus the national spotlight that has now been placed on women's basketball at large. Iowa absolutely needs to upgrade its roster if it wants to compete for another Final Four and national championship.

A dream Iowa season met an unfortunate ending Sunday in Dallas, as the Hawkeyes suffered a 102-85 loss to LSU at the American Airlines Center. The Tigers' hot-shooting first half stuck the Hawkeyes in a huge hole it couldn't quite climb out of. The Register's Chad Leistikow and Dargan Southard put a final bow on this Iowa women's basketball campaign while diving into every element of Sunday's game.

After Friday's riveting win over South Carolina, the Hawkeyes must regroup mentally and turn their full focus to Sunday's title game against LSU. The Tigers are another tough squad full of weapons, but Iowa has the hottest basketball player in the world right now on its side. The Register's Chad Leistikow and Dargan Southard analyze every element ahead of Sunday.

With an unwavering belief in one another, the Hawkeyes stunned the entire sports world Friday with a 77-73 win over previously unbeaten South Carolina. Another masterpiece from Caitlin Clark headlined a night the Hawkeyes won't forget for a long time. Live from Dallas, the Register's Chad Leistikow and Dargan Southard analyze every angle of this upset and look ahead to Iowa's chances in Sunday's national title game vs. LSU.

Tasked with facing the women's basketball beast that is unbeaten South Carolina, Iowa knows it has a hefty challenge ahead. It also knows it's playing with nothing to lose. Live from American Airlines Center in Dallas, The Register's Chad Leistikow and Dargan Southard dissect Friday's Final Four matchup from every angle.

Pressure, what pressure? Caitlin Clark seized Sunday's magical moment with a 41-point triple-double to lead Iowa women's basketball to its first Final Four since 1993. The Hawkeyes superstar was sensational from start to finish, delivering on the dream she first envisioned when she signed with Lisa Bluder's program. Live from Seattle, the Register's Chad Leistikow and Dargan Southard dissect every element of the incredible accomplishment.

An exciting week for Iowa women's basketball, which prepares in Dallas for the Final Four showdown against top-ranked and unbeaten South Carolina. The Register's Chad Leistikow is joined by Kennington Smith to break down all aspects of the matchup, including the Gamecocks' major edge in size and rebounding and how the Hawkeyes might be able to combat it behind the magnificent Caitlin Clark. Also, Iowa men's basketball and spring football discussions.

Pressure, what pressure? Caitlin Clark seized Sunday's magical moment with a 41-point triple-double to lead Iowa women's basketball to its first Final Four since 1993. The Hawkeyes superstar was sensational from start to finish, delivering on the dream she first envisioned when she signed with Lisa Bluder's program. Live from Seattle, the Register's Chad Leistikow and Dargan Southard dissect every element of the incredible accomplishment.

Hunting for their first Final Four appearance since 1993, No. 2 seed Iowa will have its hands full Sunday against No. 5 seed Louisville. The Cardinals began the year in the preseason top 10 alongside the Hawkeyes and boast a energetic, fiery weapon in Hailey Van Lith. Sound familiar? The Register's Chad Leistikow and Dargan Southard break down the matchup live from Seattle, while also diving into Brody Brecht's decision to put football aside.