Iowa Hawkeyes Football

A University of Iowa Diversity Task Force released a report in 2019 that outlined instances of racial biases and inequalities within the football program, according to Rob Howe of HawkeyeNation.com.

That report was presented to Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz and athletic director Gary Barta. 

According to the findings, Black football players felt they were:

• "Expected to conform to White culture"
• "Subjected to verbal harassment"
• "Targeted for extra drug testing"
• "Misled about resources available to them during the recruiting process"
• "Subjected to inequitable discipline policies and double standards"
• "Misunderstood by both coaches and White player"
• "Unsupported in their academic pursuits"

In June, former Iowa player and current Chicago Bears offensive lineman James Daniels detailed several instances of racial inequalities within the program:

A number of other players shared their stories as well:

“I think you could argue that (the Iowa Football culture) has been healthy based on results,” Ferentz said June 7. "My responsibility and my charge is to make sure (racism) isn’t prevalent in our program...I would not quantify that as a major issue right now."

"I had convinced myself that we were doing enough," Barta added during a press conference June 15. "Frankly, the past few weeks have been a wakeup call for me, I know [for] Kirk. But everybody in Iowa Football and Iowa athletics [was woken up]."

The existence of the 2019 report would seem to contradict both of those statements, however. 

The tangible result of Iowa's culture is that Black players transfer away from the school at a disproportionately high rate.

Additionally, Howe wrote, "A study done by USC's Race and Equity Center shows that among 65 Power 5 football programs, Iowa ranked 60th in graduating Black student-athletes. In the Big Ten, its 37 percent differential between graduating Black and white student-athletes ranked as the highest in the conference. The study looked at the years 2014-18."

Former Iowa running back Akrum Wadley detailed his negative experiences at the school in a Facebook post Monday via Pre-PostGame CEO Robert T. Green (h/t Mark Emmert of Hawk Central). 

In the post, he said he was the subject of racism and mistreatment at the hands of head coach Kirk Ferentz, offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz and former strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle:

"I felt like playing for Iowa Football was a living nightmare. I never drank alcohol prior to going to college but based on my experience there it became the only thing I could rely on it seems and was what I did to cope. Game day was the only day that it was somewhat of a relief for me, but that even became difficult based on what happened during the week leading up to it."

Wadley cited specific examples of abuse, including being berated by Brian Ferentz over a parking spot. He also said the offensive coordinator joked multiple times about the running back committing a robbery while wearing team-issued black hats.

Additionally, he said Kirk Ferentz wouldn't let athletes speak their mind, while the head coach also prevented him from transferring when he wanted to leave.

The player finished his four-year career with the Hawkeyes with 2,872 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns, both in the top five in school history. Still, he explained that he has major regrets about spending time at Iowa:

"My time at Iowa has done things to me that I am not going to discuss because knowing how these people treated me and other black athletes. I am done giving them power over me. But if I could do it all over again. I wish I never played for the Iowa Hawkeyes. I would not encourage any future athletes or parents to send your kid to go play for the Iowa Hawkeyes under that current coaching staff. My experiences with people outside of the program in the Iowa community are ones that I cherish and will be with me forever grateful for. My hope is my story and those of my teammates save others from the experiences, truths and mistake of playing under and for a coaching staff at Iowa that did and said nothing to stop the bullying and racism from happening to us under Chris Doyle, Brian Ferentz and Kirk Ferentz. What you see on TV isn't what you get behind closed doors."

Many former Iowa players have recently gone public describing abusive and racist actions by the coaching staff. The school parted ways with Doyle after 21 years with the program.

"As a staff and as leaders, we will listen and take to heart the messages we hear," Ferentz said in a statement earlier this month.

The University of Iowa announced Monday it has reached a separation agreement with football strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle.

The school also announced it will use a law firm to conduct an independent review into "issues and allegations relating to racial disparities within the football program."

According to Brett McMurphy of Stadium, Doyle will receive a $1.11 million buyout and full health benefits for the next 15 months as part of his settlement.

Athletic director Gary Barta said in Monday's press conference that removing the coach "was the thoughtful and sensible thing to do," via Scott Dochterman of The Athletic. Barta also apologized to those affected.

This decision comes after several former Iowa players detailed negative experiences with the program, including allegations of racist behavior from Doyle.

Doyle was placed on administrative leave earlier this month pending a review.

The coach denied the allegations in a statement that went against the school's wishes.

"I have been asked to remain silent, but that is impossible for me to do," Doyle said. "There have been statements made about my behavior that are not true."

He maintained his innocence while defending his career at Iowa.

"I am confident that a complete review of the body of work over 21 years will speak for itself and I am trusting the process to respect the rights and experiences of all parties involved," Doyle said.

The 51-year-old joined the Hawkeyes in 1999, the program's first season under head coach Kirk Ferentz. He was the highest-paid strength coach in college football with a salary of $800,000 per year.

His son, Dillon, was a linebacker on the team but announced his decision to transfer last week.

Iowa free safety Jack Koerner, who was injured in a boating accident on Friday night, confirmed Sunday that he was "going to be okay" and was in the process of recovering. 

Koerner tweeted the update:

According to Andrew Havranek of KY3.com, Koerner and another man, 21-year-old Cole Coffin, crashed into the side of a boat while riding a Sea-Doo on the Lake of the Ozarks. Both men suffered serious injuries in the crash and were transported to a local hospital. Iowa said in a press release that Koerner's injuries were not life threatening. 

The three passengers on the boat were not injured.  

According to Iowa's statement, Koerner "was at the Lake of the Ozarks with his father, Gary, for a father-son weekend along with other West Des Moines families."

Koerner was a walk-on in 2017 and became the team's starting free safety in 2019, registering 81 tackles, an interception, five passes defended, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. That earned him a scholarship heading into the 2020 spring semester. 

Iowa safety Jack Koerner was hospitalized after suffering injuries in a boating accident on Friday night. 

Per an official statement from Iowa (h/t Yahoo Sports' Cassandra Negley), Koerner suffered "non-life threatening injuries" in a "watercraft accident at Lake of the Ozarks on Friday, June 12 at approximately 6:30 p.m."

According to Andrew Havranek of KY3, Koerner was on a Seadoo jet ski with another person when it crashed into a boat. 

Havranek added that Koerner was listed as being in serious condition, but the extent of his injuries isn't known at this point. 

Koerner is entering his junior season with the Hawkeyes. The Iowa native was a walk-on in 2017 and redshirted his freshman year and played primarily on special teams in 2018. 

As a starting safety in 2019, Koerner finished second on the team with 81 total tackles and third with five pass breakups. Head coach Kirk Ferentz announced in November that Koerner had been awarded a scholarship.  

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz addressed the media Friday for the first time since allegations of racism were made against strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle. 

In his opening statement, Ferentz said it felt "like I let those players down by not creating that environment where they did feel comfortable."

Speaking to reporters, Ferentz noted the coaching staff "must be more inclusive and more aware" about what is going on. He also said the "coaching style by some was at times demeaning and created unnecessary anxiety and frustration" among players on the team. 

Many former Hawkeyes players, including James Daniels, Diauntae Morrow and Jaleel Johnson, spoke out on Twitter against Doyle and other members of the coaching staff for enabling his alleged behavior:

Morrow spoke with ESPN's Adam Rittenberg to expand on his history with Doyle: "We never felt welcome, most of us, anyway, whether they would openly say it or not openly say it. We would congregate after practice and just talk about how we felt the program was being ran, and how we felt alienated."

Ferentz addressed his "blind spot" as head coach: "I'm sure every person has a blind spot, every leader as a blind spot. The former players were very forthcoming, they were very direct in pointing out things that gave me a new awareness."

In an attempt to give players a forum to express themselves, Ferentz noted he pushed back the start time for practices earlier this week for open discussions.

“It was raw, it was powerful and productive," he said. "Everything was on the table. It got heated and emotional at times, which I think is good.”

Ferentz announced June 6 that Doyle has been placed on administrative leave pending the results of an independent investigation into the allegations made against him. 

Doyle, 51, has been with the Hawkeyes as strength and conditioning coach since Ferentz's first season with the program in 1999. 

Iowa linebacker Dillon Doyle announced his decision to enter the transfer portal Tuesday:

As Adam Rittenberg of ESPN noted, the player is the son of Hawkeyes strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle.

The older Doyle has been with the program for 21 years but was placed on administrative leave Saturday after allegations of racial discrimination from several former players.

The 51-year-old, who is the highest-paid strength coach in the country, denied the accusations.

"I am confident that a complete review of the body of work over 21 years will speak for itself and I am trusting the process to respect the rights and experiences of all parties involved," he said in a statement, per Rittenberg.

Head coach Kirk Ferentz provided a statement regarding the issue in a video Saturday:

Dillon Doyle had an opportunity to earn significant playing time in 2020 at linebacker after seeing action in all 13 games in 2019.

The former 247Sports 3-star recruit had 23 tackles as a redshirt freshman last season, adding one forced fumble. He was also named an Academic All-Big Ten player.

Jack Campbell could move up in the depth chart at linebacker with Doyle set to leave.

Iowa strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle issued a statement after he was placed on administrative leave amid allegations he made racist remarks toward players.

"I have been asked to remain silent, but that is impossible for me to do," Doyle wrote Sunday. "There have been statements made about my behavior that are not true. I do not claim to be perfect. I have made mistakes, learned lessons and like every American citizen, can do better. At no time have I ever crossed the line of unethical behavior or bias based on upon race. I do not make racist comments and I don't tolerate people who do."

On Friday, Chicago Bears offensive lineman James Daniels alluded to "too many racial disparities in the Iowa football program," which led to former players recounting some of their experiences:

Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson responded to say that "Coach Doyle is the problem in that building," to which Daniels agreed:

Iowa uploaded a video from head coach Kirk Ferentz, who said he saw the various posts on social media and that Doyle would be placed on leave pending an independent review:

Ferentz addressed the situation again Sunday.

"I want to thank former players who have had the courage to speak out about their experiences in our program," he said, per ESPN's Adam Rittenberg. "I'm very very sorry about any hardships they endured."

The Athletic's Nicole Auerbach shared more of Ferentz's comments: "Clearly there's not enough candid conversation or the players haven't felt safe enough to visit and give me feedback."

Doyle has served as the Hawkeyes' head strength and conditioning coach since 1999.

Iowa football head coach Kirk Ferentz told reporters Saturday that strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle has been placed on administrative leave, per Scott Dochterman of The Athletic.

Dochterman reported that numerous players have spoken out in recent days against the highest-paid strength coach in college football for racist remarks. An independent review will be conducted to investigate the allegations.

Dochterman wrote Saturday that "several players" have said Doyle mistreated them, with ex-linebacker Reggie Spearman saying, "I personally believe Doyle and Kirk from my own experiences aren't inclusive and understanding of young black athletes."

James Daniels, a starting offensive lineman for the Chicago Bears who played at Iowa from 2015 to 2017, tweeted: "There are too many racial disparities in the Iowa football program. Black players have been treated unfairly for far too long."

Former Iowa cornerback Emmanuel Rugamba provided one example in response to Daniels:

"I was lifting in the weight room and one of the lifts we had to do was open and close your hands in a bowl of rice, while walking to the bowl of rice one of my black teammates and close friends just left the rice station and was at the bench rack.

"After benching there was some rice left back on the bar. Coach Doyle then says, 'wtf is this sh*t clean it up.' The player walks over to clean it up and walks away from Doyle. Doyle then says, 'why you walking wit all that swagger I'll put you back on the streets.' The kid comes from a happy home with both parents.

"A separate incident happened before one of our team lifts. He asked the same player where he was the night before the player says, 'my girl house.' Coach Doyle then pulls his pants halfway down to sag off his but turns his hat backwards puts one hand in his pants and starts to strut while mocking the player saying 'I was at my giiirrrlllss house.'"

Another alleged incident took place roughly a decade ago, per Iowa walk-on Terrance Pryor, who tweeted Doyle told him: "Maybe you should take up Rowing you know? Oh wait, Black people don't like boats in water, do they??"

Doyle has been with the Iowa program since 1999, when Ferentz took over the Hawkeyes.

Per Dochterman, Doyle has been "admonished" by the university before after he made players go through a 100-squat workout in Jan. 2011, leading to 13 players landing in the hospital with rhabdomyolysis. Per Dochterman, Ferentz awarded Doyle with the "Assistant Coach of the Year" award at an I-Club event that spring.

Chicago Bears guard James Daniels, who played college football at Iowa from 2015 through 2017, said Friday there are "too many racial disparities" within the Hawkeyes' football program.

Daniels' comments come amid nationwide protests in support of racial equality after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis Police custody May 25 and sparked other former Hawkeyes to support his stance.

"I remember whenever walking into the facility it would be difficult for black players to walk around the facility and be themselves," Tennessee Titans safety Amani Hooker wrote. "As if the way you grew up was the wrong way or wasn't acceptable and that you would be judged by that and it would impact playing time."

Former Iowa cornerback Marcel Joly thanked Daniels for raising the topic and provided his own experience.

"I remember when I used to wear my tank tops in the facility, I used to get called in the coach's office because I had too much tattoos and it wasn't the 'Iowa culture' or the 'Iowa Way," he wrote.

Other alumni, including linebacker Terrance Pryor and Faith Ekakitie, raised concerns about Hawkeyes strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle:

Doyle has since been placed on administrative leave and faces a review, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz announced, per Chad Leistikow of the Des Moines Register.

Another player, who wished to remain anonymous, told Tyler Devine of HawkFanatic.com the racial culture at Iowa played a "big part" in his decision to transfer.

Ferentz has led the program since December 1998.