Nagel immediately fired back. "The reason given to me for my dismissal was the general disharmony within the athletic department during the last four months. I cannot be satisfied with this reason...Hasn't there been disharmony for 18 years, through the Paul Brechler, Jerry Burns, and Ray Nagel eras?" Evashevski had been an icon in Iowa, a man who led Iowa to three Big Ten titles and two Rose Bowls, while Nagel had a 13–26–1 () record in four seasons. Nevertheless, strong support was voiced for Nagel across the state of Iowa. Gus Schrader of the Cedar Rapids Gazette wrote, "We have heard dozens of fans say, 'I'd just like to see Nagel coach out his contract without Evashevski looking over his shoulder on every move.'"