Former Iowa Hawkeye quarterback Chuck Long visits Decorah

One of the key people in the turnaround of the Iowa Hawkeye football program--former quarterback Chuck Long--visited Decorah Tuesday for a speech at the Decorah Rotary Club.

Long was a little-known quarterback in Wheaton, Illinois who was given a scholarship to attend the University of Iowa and play for coach Hayden Fry.  "I was not recruited heavily," Long told Rotary Club members, adding, "I was one of those take-a-chance guys."  But a visit to Iowa City convinced him to play for the Hawkeyes and the result was he became a consensus All-American and led the Hawkeyes to four straight bowl games.

Long is now an analyst for the Big Ten Network after spending six years in the NFL and coaching for 13 years, including three as head coach at San Diego State.

He visited Decorah Tuesday as part of a tour of Iowa to promote the book by Aaron Putze, "Chuck Long: Destined for Greatness: The Story of Chuck Long and Resurgence of Iowa Hawkeyes Football."  Long signed copies of the book for Rotary Club members and told stories of his days in football.