He was almost there for eight more, and counting.
"We had the long conversation back a year and a half. It was hard," Blazek told NJ Advance Media, recounting the talks he had with Ferentz about joining the Hawkeyes' staff following the 2016 season.
Ultimately, Blazek opted to stay on as the Scarlet Knights' offensive line coach, with a promotion to assistant head coach, after considering a return to his alma mater. You wouldn't be reading this story otherwise. When he broke the news to Ferentz, explaining he had unfinished business at Rutgers, his old coach and boss agreed.