What Is 1939 Iowa Hawkeyes football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1939 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa during the 1939 college football season, finishing with a 2–6 record under head coach Eddie Anderson. They played in the Big Ten Conference and scored 48 total points across eight games.

Key Facts

The 1939 Iowa Hawkeyes finished the season with a 2–6 overall record.
Head coach Eddie Anderson led the team in his third year at the helm.
They competed in the Big Ten Conference, going 0–4 against conference opponents.
The team scored 48 points total, averaging 6.0 points per game.
Their home games were played at Iowa Stadium in Iowa City.

Overview

The 1939 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa during the 1939 college football season. Competing in the Big Ten Conference, the team struggled under head coach Eddie Anderson, who was in his third year leading the program. Despite high hopes for improvement, the Hawkeyes posted a disappointing 2–6 overall record.

The season reflected the challenges faced by Iowa during a transitional era in college football. With limited offensive production and a tough conference slate, the team failed to secure a winning season. The following list highlights key aspects of the 1939 campaign:

Season Record: The Hawkeyes finished 2–6 overall, their worst mark since 1933, with both wins coming against non-conference opponents.
Conference Performance: In Big Ten play, Iowa went 0–4, losing to powerhouses like Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Northwestern by double-digit margins.
Scoring Output: The team managed only 48 total points, averaging 6.0 points per game, one of the lowest in the nation.
Defensive Struggles: Opponents scored 118 points against Iowa, averaging 14.8 points per game, exposing weaknesses in the secondary and pass rush.
Home Field: All home games were played at Iowa Stadium in Iowa City, a venue that seated approximately 53,000 at the time.

How It Works

The 1939 season operated within the framework of early 20th-century college football, featuring single-platoon systems and limited passing. The following key elements defined how the team functioned on and off the field:

Head Coach:Eddie Anderson served as head coach from 1939 to 1942, inheriting a program rebuilding after inconsistent prior seasons. He emphasized discipline and fundamentals.
Offensive Scheme: Iowa relied on a single-wing formation, common in the era, focusing on power running and short-yardage efficiency over aerial attacks.
Player Roles: Most athletes played both offense and defense due to limited substitution rules, requiring exceptional stamina and versatility.
Recruiting Base: The team drew primarily from Iowa and surrounding Midwest states, with limited national recruitment infrastructure.
Game Schedule: The Hawkeyes played eight games in 1939, facing a mix of regional rivals and Big Ten foes, with no postseason appearance.
Training Methods: Practices emphasized calisthenics, blocking drills, and film study was minimal, relying instead on chalkboard analysis and game notes.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1939 Iowa Hawkeyes' performance can be better understood when compared to peer teams in the Big Ten Conference:

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Points For	Points Against
Minnesota	8–0	5–0	227	31
Wisconsin	5–3	3–2	117	70
Northwestern	3–5–1	2–3–1	85	95
Iowa	2–6	0–4	48	118
Purdue	3–4–1	2–2–1	79	77

The table illustrates Iowa’s struggles relative to conference peers. While Minnesota dominated the league, Iowa ranked near the bottom in both scoring and defense. Their 48 points scored were the second-lowest among Big Ten teams, highlighting offensive inefficiency.

Why It Matters

Though the 1939 season was forgettable in terms of wins, it played a role in shaping the future of Iowa football. The challenges exposed critical areas for improvement in coaching, recruiting, and player development.

Program Foundation: The struggles of 1939 led to increased scrutiny and eventually contributed to coaching changes in the early 1940s.
Historical Context: This season occurred during the Great Depression era, affecting funding, attendance, and athletic department priorities.
Evolution of Strategy: The low scoring underscored the need for modernized offensive systems, which Iowa adopted in later decades.
Fan Engagement: Poor performance led to declining attendance, prompting university officials to invest more in team promotion.
Legacy of Resilience: Despite the record, players from 1939 demonstrated perseverance, a trait later emphasized in Iowa’s football culture.
Data for Historians: The season provides valuable data for college football historians analyzing Big Ten trends in the pre-WWII era.

The 1939 Iowa Hawkeyes may not be remembered for victories, but their season offers insight into the evolution of a program that would later achieve national prominence.