Iowa athletics department to cover full race bias settlement
The University of Iowa's president says a race discrimination lawsuit filed against the University of Iowa by former football players will be settled using funds entirely from the school instead of having taxpayer money cover half of the $4.2 million deal.
Lawyer: Black Iowa football players at risk under Ferentz
The attorney representing a dozen former Iowa football players who settled their racial discrimination lawsuit with the university's athletic department for over $4 million — half of which is coming from taxpayer funds — said Tuesday that Black Hawkeyes players will continue to be at risk of harassment “as long as Kirk Ferentz is in charge." Attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons said in a news release his clients have been vindicated and he is pleased with the state Appeal Board approving the $4.175 million settlement. The board voted 2-1 on Monday in favor of contributing $2 million in taxpayer funds.
news.yahoo.comLB coach Wallace now defendant in ex-Iowa players' lawsuit
Iowa linebackers coach Seth Wallace has been added as a defendant in lawsuit filed against the university and athletic department personnel by former football players alleging they were discriminated against and harassed because they are Black.
Iowa QB Petras fighting for job after offense underperforms
When a team is coming off a season in which it had one of the worst offenses in the nation, all options are open to fix it. The battle this spring is between veteran starter Spencer Petras and Alex Padilla. Petras, who missed three games because of injury last season, has started 19 of the last 20 in which he's appeared.
news.yahoo.comIowa coach disbands diversity group created after 2020 probe
Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz has disbanded an alumni advisory committee that was created after a 2020 investigation found evidence of racial bias against Black players in his program and bullying behavior by some of his assistants. The Gazette reports that Ferentz’ decision to end the committee came shortly after its leader, former offensive lineman David Porter, suggested it was time for Iowa to part ways with Ferentz. In 2020, the university hired the Husch Blackwell law firm to review the program after dozens of former players, most of them Black, spoke out on social media to allege racial disparities and mistreatment.
news.yahoo.comWithout Bielema, Illini out to end No. 18 Iowa's dominance
The Iowa-Illinois football rivalry is nothing like it was decades ago. Illinois’ last win came in 2008, and the teams didn’t play again until 2014 when they were put together in the Big Ten West Division. Iowa has had two shutouts in the streak, including a 63-0 rout in Champaign in 2018.
news.yahoo.comLate stops let No. 19 Iowa beat Minnesota 27-22, keep Floyd
Iowa quarterback Alex Padilla is described by coach Kirk Ferentz as “even-keeled.” Padilla threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, and No. 19 Iowa withstood three fourth-quarter comeback attempts to beat Minnesota 27-22 and keep the bronze pig trophy for the seventh year in a row.
news.yahoo.comJudge delays depositions for Ferentzes in racial bias case
A federal judge has ruled that Iowa's head football coach, Kirk Ferentz, and offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz will not have to spend the team’s bye week answering questions from lawyers for Black former players who say they suffered discrimination.
Self-made LB Jack Campbell reaches new heights with Hawkeyes
Jack Campbell remembers the questions about him when he was being recruited. Now in his third year in the program, no one thinks Campbell is miscast as a linebacker. “He just sets a tone with the way he plays,” safety Jack Koerner said.
news.yahoo.comPetras' no-picks streak on line in No. 5 Iowa's game vs Rams
A quick glance at the statistics would indicate Iowa's Spencer Petras is an average Big Ten quarterback. One number pops out, though, and illustrates a major reason the fifth-ranked Hawkeyes (3-0) have won nine straight games. The second-year starter hasn’t thrown an interception since early in the second quarter of the Nov. 27 game against Nebraska, a streak of 22 quarters entering Saturday's final nonconference game against Colorado State (1-2).
news.yahoo.comJags' Meyer, Baalke subpoenaed in Iowa discrimination suit
The Jacksonville Jaguars said Wednesday that coach Urban Meyer and general manager Trent Baalke were subpoenaed as part of a lawsuit filed by lawyers for Black players suing former Iowa strength coach Chris Doyle for discrimination. The team said Meyer and Baalke submitted a written response to the subpoena, which is seeking information about the Jaguars’ decision to hire and then fire Doyle in January.
news.yahoo.comJaguars split with accused racist strength coach Chris Doyle
FILE - In this Sept. 1, 2018, file photo, Iowa strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle walks on the field before an NCAA college football game between Iowa and Northern Illinois in Iowa City, Iowa. Jacksonville Jaguars coach Urban Meyer defended the hiring of former Iowa assistant Chris Doyle on Thursday, Feb. 11, 20201, by saying he vetted him thoroughly along with our general manager and owner. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)The Jacksonville Jaguars and embattled strength coach Chris Doyle parted ways Friday night, a few hours after a respected diversity group blasted the team and called the recent hiring “simply unacceptable.”Coach Urban Meyer and general manager Trent Baalke said Doyle resigned and they accepted. “Chris did not want to be a distraction to what we are building in Jacksonville,” Meyer and Baalke said in a statement. AdHiring Doyle rekindled memories of Meyer protecting assistant coach Zach Smith for years at Ohio State.
Jags' Meyer defends hiring ex-Iowa coach accused of racism
FILE - Ohio State NCAA college football head coach Urban Meyer answers questions during a news conference announcing his retirement in Columbus, Ohio, in this Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018, file photo. A lawyer for 13 Black ex-Iowa football players has filed a lawsuit alleging his clients suffered racial discrimination under longtime coach Kirk Ferentz. Hiring Doyle rekindled memories of Meyer protecting assistant coach Zach Smith for years at Ohio State. AdMeyer also made former Louisville, Texas and South Florida coach Charlie Strong his assistant head coach/inside linebackers coach. Meyer kept seven holdovers from fired coach Doug Marrone’s staff, including veteran offensive line coach George Warhop, cornerbacks coach Tim Walton, nickel cornerbacks coach Joe Danna and assistant linebackers coach Tony Gilbert.
Music City Bowl between Iowa and Missouri canceled
(AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)The Music City Bowl between Missouri and Iowa was canceled Sunday because COVID-19 issues left the Tigers unable to play. The game scheduled for Wednesday in Nashville, Tennessee, is the second bowl called off since the postseason lineup was set on Dec. 20, joining the Gasparilla Bowl. Overall, 18 bowl games scheduled to be played this season have been canceled. Missouri is the third Southeastern Conference team that has had to pull out of its bowl game, joining Tennessee and South Carolina. The Music City Bowl seemed to be in danger last week because Iowa paused football activities due to COVID-19 cases, but the Hawkeyes resumed practice this weekend.
The Latest: 8 German players test positive at world juniors
The school said Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, the players have decided to opt out of any potential bowl game. The IIHF also said two members of Sweden’s team staff tested positive. The network did not say if Michaels had tested positive or had been in contact with someone who had tested positive. The Huskies said in a statement that no one from their program was in close contact with the individual who tested positive at Seton Hall. Ferentz is the 23rd FBS coach to reveal publicly that he tested positive for the virus.
Doyle out as Iowa strength coach after mistreatment claims
FILE - In this Sept. 1, 2018, file photo, Iowa strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle walks on the field before an NCAA college football game between Iowa and Northern Illinois, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)IOWA CITY, Iowa Iowa cut ties with strength coach Chris Doyle on Monday, announcing a separation agreement that will pay him more than $1.1 million after former Hawkeyes accused him of mistreating and belittling African American players. The university and I have reached an agreement and it is time to move on from Iowa football. Doyle agreed not to take any legal action against the university, the board of regents or state of Iowa. There are too many racial disparities in the Iowa football program.
Iowa players voice unity amid racism allegations in program
Iowa football strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle has been placed on administrative leave after several black former players posted on social media about what they described as systemic racism in the program. None complained directly about his treatment inside the Iowa program. There are too many racial disparities in the Iowa football program. Black players have been treated unfairly for far too long, Daniels wrote. I'll put you back on the streets, Doyle told the teammate, according to Rugamba.
Iowa strength coach denies 'unethical behavior or bias'
IOWA CITY, Iowa IOWA CITY, IowaIowa football strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle denies any unethical behavior or bias based on race after being accused by several former players of contributing to what they allege is systemic racism in the program. Doyle was placed on administrative leave Saturday, part of a decision made by coach Kirk Ferentz in what he called a defining moment for Iowas football program. Several black former players posted on social media Friday night about issues they saw in the football program, attributing many of them to Doyle. At no time have I ever crossed the line of unethical behavior or bias based on race. There are countless men of character who are better fathers, husbands, activists, leaders and contributors to society due to their experience at Iowa Football.