Men’s basketball coach Steve Alford, assistant wrestling coach Dan Gable, junior basketball standout Adam Haluska and football defensive coordinator Norm Parker were among the University of Iowa coaches and athletes on hand at the annual Clinton County I-Club Spring Banquet at Clinton Country Club Wednesday night.

Alford and Haluska spoke about the Hawkeyes’ outstanding 2005-2006 campaign.

“We had a very special group of players and people, and that made it a lot of fun,” Alford said. “They did a lot of special things. They’re the first Iowa team to go through a season undefeated at home. They won 25 games, which is the second-most in school history. They won their second Big Ten championship in five years.”

“It was a real exciting season,” Haluska said. “It didn’t end the way we wanted it to, but all in all we accomplished a lot of things.”

Despite the losses of seniors Greg Brunner, Erek Hansen, Jeff Horner, Doug Thomas and Justin Wieck, Alford does not look at the upcoming season as a rebuilding one.

“We’ve never talked about rebuilding,” Alford said. “We knew we were going to be losing a lot once we lost these guys, so we’ve been preparing. We have a top 10 recruiting class. We’re going to have to depend a lot on newcomers. This time last year I was relaxed because I knew I had a lot of experience and great leaders. There’s different question marks now.”

“It’s going to be strange not having those seniors around anymore,” Haluska said. “Those guys have been the face of the program for the last four years. They’re going to be sorely missed, but we’re looking forward to the future.”

The legendary Gable returns to the Hawkeye wrestling staff as an assistant to new head coach and former Hawkeye star Tom Brands.

Regarded as one of the best coaches in the history of wrestling, Gable was Iowa’s head coach for 21 years, stepping down in 1997. Since then he has served as Assistant to the Athletic Director at Iowa.

Gable said he wasn’t sure what to expect when he made the decision to get back into coaching.

“I didn’t know exactly how it would feel,” he said. “It really wasn’t my idea, but once it was presented to me it felt pretty good. I’ve been in it now about a month, and it feel pretty good. I think I’m in the right position. I like what I see.”

Parker knows that the Hawkeye football team has some big shoes to fill on the defensive side.

“We have to replace (linebackers) Chad Greenway and Abdul Hodge and the two corners, Antwan Allen and Jovon Johnson,” Parker said. “If you counted up the starts that those four guys had, it’s frightening. I think the corners played real well in the spring. I feel good about that. The linebackers aren’t new guys. They haven’t played a lot, but they’re kids that know the position.”

Iowa has finalized dates for its 2006 football schedule, which features seven homes games and opponents who posted a combined record of 75-66 last season. The Hawkeyes open on Sept. 2 against NCAA Division I-AA Montana, then travel to Syracuse the following week. Iowa and Iowa State meet on Sept. 16 at Kinnick Stadium. Other home games after Montana: non-conference opponents Iowa State and Northern Illinois, and Big Ten games with Ohio State, Purdue, Northwestern and Wisconsin. There is no bye week in 2006. Iowa was originally scheduled to host Western Michigan in the 2006 opener now filled by Montana. The Western Michigan game has been moved to Nov. 17, 2007. The 2006 schedule: — Sept. 2, Montana — Sept. 9, at Syracuse — Sept. 16, Iowa State — Sept. 23, at Illinois — Sept. 30, Ohio State — Oct. 7, Purdue (homecoming) — Oct. 14, at Indiana — Oct. 21, at Michigan — Oct. 28, Northern Illinois — Nov. 4, Northwestern — Nov. 11, Wisconsin — Nov. 18, at Minnesota

For the second straight year, the University of Iowa will not hold a spring football game. The continuing renovation of Kinnick Stadium will force the final practice, normally played in the stadium, to the team’s practice field again. The $90-million project involving Kinnick Stadium is due to be completed prior to the start of the 2006 season. “As much as we’d like to stage a spring game for our fans,” said Athletic Director Bob Bowlsby, “Their safety is our primary concern. Having an event in the stadium would not be the right thing for the players, fans or workers on the project.” As was the case last year, the Hawkeyes will hold a controlled practice/scrimmage April 15. The final day of spring workouts will be held at the team’s practice facility with only player families and special guests invited to attend. “We regret leaving the fans out of the mix,” said Coach Kirk Ferentz. “Like last year, we’ll make up for it by staging a few events, which will include our fans, during pre-season workouts late this summer.”