New University of Iowa offensive coordinator Greg Davis says the offense will be a little different this year, but he says most of the change will be picking up a new way of identifying plays. Davis says one of the biggest challenge is they were only able to lay the foundation of the offense in the spring, and now this fall they are adding some bells and whistles, “so it’s a constant learning process.” Davis who previously coached at Texas gave the media a verbal example of what the players are dealing with. “The terminology is entirely different, you know the way things are called and being able to enunciate the plays, you know: R-King-n-scat-four-seven-fake-zero-fair-flat, and not bat an eye,” Davis said after reeling off a play call. “It just takes awhile and you’ve got to do it over and over and you’ve got to do it in a way they understand, just like y’all did I’m sure, what I was talking about.” Davis will have senior quarterback James Vandenberg making the calls at the line, something he said will be a big help.

“He brings what you want out of the quarterback position, he’s very confident guy, he’s a good leader,” Davis explains. “Our quarterbacks make a lot of decisions at the line of scrimmage and when you’re letting them do that within certain parameters, you want to know that they are spending the time that they are going to get you in the play you want. I have total confidence in James.” Davis was asked to compare Iowa’s program to Texas.  He said the biggest similarity is the stability, with Kirk Ferentz being the coach for 14 years and having a great idea of what he wants to do. Davis wants to run the ball, but he said he wants to do what it takes to move the ball. “Just try to adjust, but at the same time, always trying to find some kind of balance between the run and the throw. The thing I told the offense is that balance doesn’t mean that each game you run 40 and you throw 40, it means that you can win the game either way. You get a bad weather game are you going to be good enough to run the ball. If fall behind are you going to be good enough to throw the ball more, play out of the gun more, that’s what balance means,” according to Davis. Davis says he won’t have a problem with Iowa’s young running backs as he says that’s one position where you can be younger and still do well.

The coach of gold medal winning gymnast Gabby Douglas was greeted by dozens of his friends, family and students upon his arrival back in Iowa Wednesday. It’s the second time Liang Chow has returned to Iowa after one of his athletes claimed Olympic gold.

Liang Chow (Photo by Radio Iowa)

He was surprised with the reception at the Des Moines Airport. “This is just a wonderful, warm feeling to be back home,” Chow said. Over the past two years, Chow worked with Douglas – who won team gold and the individual all-around gold medal. Chow said the experience this year in London was much different than four years ago in Beijing. Shawn Johnson was expected to do well in 2008 after dominating world gymnastics competitions the previous three years.

“Gabby was in a different situation because nobody expected much out of her, other than the ones who really know her and knew she had the potential to be on the very top,” Chow said. After claiming her two gold medals, Douglas made major mistakes on the uneven bars and the beam – and failed to medal in those events. Chow said although his time in London was rewarding, it wasn’t always enjoyable. “The experience (involved) lots of challenges and lots of struggles. Now, when I think back, it was fun…sort of,” Chow said with a laugh. “I’m just glad everything turned out good.”

The best young gymnasts from around the world will now be knocking on Chow’s door and he could relocate his gym anywhere, but Chow doesn’t plan to leave Iowa. “I feel like I can’t find a better place to live,” Chow said. “This is my dream home.” Chow moved to the U.S. from China in 1991. He and his wife opened the gym in West Des Moines in 1998.