A Conversation with John Gregory
December 20, 2021 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Iowa Barnstormers News Release
Every underdog needs someone to take a chance on them. For Kurt Warner, that person was John Gregory.
It's a tale as old as time here in Iowa, Kurt Warner was discovered while bagging groceries at a local Hy-Vee. The reality is that a lot more went into Warner earning his goggles.
In 1995, the Iowa Barnstormers were set to make their Arena Football debut and John Gregory was named as the first Head Coach of the franchise, tasked with building his team from the ground up.
Recruiting was underway, free agent camps were scheduled, and players were being signed. The team was missing a key piece, though - its quarterback.
Insert Terry Allen, long-time friend of Coach Gregory and Coach of the University of Northern Iowa Panthers. After Warner's collegiate career did not go as planned due to an injury during his senior season, the season that was meant to be his first opportunity to start, Terry Allen asked John Gregory to take a look at him.
"I saw one film on him and it was against Southern Illinois and he was OK," said Coach Gregory. "Terry Allen said to me "John, I think he's got something, I think he can play." so I called Kurt up and said we're having a tryout."
Warner accepted the invitation and showed up to the Barnstormers tryout.
"The way he was playing, he was trying to impress me with how hard he could throw the ball," Coach Gregory recalls. "He threw it to a kid, he was little but real fast, Kurt threw him one, it hit him, and he tore his achilles tendon."
Coach Gregory remembers pulling Kurt aside and asking him "When you're playing, what are they going to look at to determine how good you played?"
Kurt acknowledged that he would be judged on how many touchdowns he threw and how many passes he completed.
"Well quit trying to knock the people down!" Gregory remembers instructing him.
Following the tryout, Coach Gregory found some of Warner's basketball footage which is what ultimately sealed the deal after an unimpressive 40-yard dash time.
"When I timed him he ran a 5.1 forty [yard dash] which is not good," said Gregory. "But on his shuttle, unbelievable how quick he was. And that's how I recruit quarterbacks, how quick are you so you can get out of trouble?"
Warner's basketball film showed Coach Gregory that he was quick on his feet and could handle the ball.
After this, Kurt Warner was added to the Iowa Barnstormers inaugural roster as quarterback. He had his goggles, but keeping them became the next challenge.
"We got him in here and we didn't have many practices because we had on the schedule an exhibition game with St. Louis," said Gregory.
The team headed into the exhibition game to take on St. Louis, which would be the Barnstormers first time playing in a game. It was a rough showing.
"Kurt fumbled four times from behind center that the other team got and he threw four interceptions. He, himself, had eight turnovers," stated Coach Gregory.
After the game, Coach Gregory was questioned about his choice in quarterback and was pressured to move on to someone new.
"At this time I had seen Kurt at practice and I was teaching him the way I teach quarterbacks and he was great at it."
Crediting Warner for being a quick learner, Coach Gregory stuck to his guns on his decision.
"I said no, I think this kid is going to be OK, because I had seen him at practice."
There was something about Kurt Warner that Coach Gregory knew he could shape.
"It's how quick he could get the ball to the receiver, he could get that ball and get it to the receiver very accurately and right where we wanted it all the time."
Coach Gregory got his way and Warner was officially the Iowa Barnstormers quarterback.
Warner went on to lead the Barnstormers to a 7-5 record in the team's inaugural season, advancing to the playoffs but getting knocked out in the semifinals.
The following season, the team improved to a 12-2 regular season record making it all the way to the Arena Bowl only to fall short.
1997 was another successful year, with the Barnstormers finishing the regular season 11-3 and advancing through playoffs only to once again fall short in the Arena Bowl game.
Ahead of the 1998 season, Warner earned an opportunity in the NFL with the St. Louis Rams, the beginning of a journey that solidified both his name and John Gregory's name in football history.
American Underdog, the story of Kurt Warner's journey to NFL stardom is in theatres on Christmas day.
Fans can also learn more about John Gregory's journey in football by reading his book So You Want To Be A Football Coach which is available here.
The Iowa Barnstormers are gearing up for the 2022 Indoor Football League Season. Season Tickets are available now for as low as $96 per seat. Call the Barnstormers front office at 515-633-2255 to select your seats or get more information.
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