Who are the greatest to ever do it as an Iowa Hawkeye?There are cases to be made for so many athletes and coaches across the board, but a few stand above the rest for their contributions at Iowa.So, the task of narrowing the list down to four to create Iowa's Mount Rushmore of athletes is no easy task.Iowa Mount Rushmore LocksFreezing rain falls on a statue of Nile Kinnick, Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019, in Iowa City, Iowa. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters ConnectNile KinnickThis is a no-brainer - Iowa's only Heisman Trophy winner and the namesake of the Hawkeyes' stadium. Nile Kinnick's Heisman speech is played before each home game and is simply iconic. You can't tell the story of Iowa football without him.Caitlin ClarkShe changed the game forever. She broke every record there was. She put the Iowa Hawkeyes on the map. Caitlin Clark transcended sports and is forever etched in Iowa greatness.All-Time Iowa Great Cases Can Be MadeIowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz observes action on the sideline as rain falls around him in the first quarter against Iowa State on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames.
20190914 Cyhawkfootball | USA TODAY Network via Reuters ConnectHayden Fry Where is Iowa football without Hayden Fry? From 1979 to 1998, Fry made Iowa into a strong college football program. With a 143-89-6 mark as Iowa's head coach, his place in this Mount Rushmore would be met with minimal argument.Kirk FerentzIf Hayden Fry set Iowa football up for success, Kirk Ferentz continued to build the program. With just as much longevity, Ferentz is essentially synonymous with the Iowa Hawkeyes. Winning 209 games at Iowa makes Ferentz hard to leave off.Dan GableThere may not be a more dominant run in wrestling than what Dan Gable did at Iowa. He brought the Hawkeyes 15 national titles and won 355 of the 381 meets he coached. Without Gable, Iowa wrestling isn't the powerhouse it is. Chuck LongNo one has ever played quarterback for the Hawkeyes quite like Chuck Long did. Iowa's all-time passing yards and touchdowns leader with 10,461 yards and 74 touchdowns gives Chuck Long a strong case.Fringe CandidatesIowa forward Luka Garza poses for a photo during Hawkeye media day at Carver Hawkeye ArenaMonday, Oct. 8, 2018.
