2020 Iowa Offseason Thread

[Hawkinole]

I think the Iowa Mold, without reviewing your link is guys like me. Strong, hard hitters, who are slow, can't leap, and are men of conviction.

We have a few Neanderthal genes. We are not going to win a Big Ten title without a lot of assistance from outside.

[FearlessF]

don't click on the link.....

[fezzador]

Too late

[FearlessF]

With Doyle's departure, the focus shifts to Ferentz, the longest-tenured coach in the FBS, and whether the program has put Black players in a position to succeed.

According to data from the Race and Equity Center at the University of Southern California, Iowa ranked 60th among 65 Power 5 schools -- last in the Big Ten -- in graduation rates for Black athletes in all sports between 2014 and 2018. Only 40% of Iowa's Black athletes graduated, compared to 77% of all athletes, a differential that also ranked last in the conference. Hawkeye Nation also reported that Iowa enrolled 31 Black scholarship football players between 2013 and 2015, but only eight graduated from the school.


https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/29517486/iowa-football-kirk-ferentz-see-black-players-speak-program-racial-inequities

[Hawkinole]

With Doyle's departure, the focus shifts to Ferentz, the longest-tenured coach in the FBS, and whether the program has put Black players in a position to succeed.

According to data from the Race and Equity Center at the University of Southern California, Iowa ranked 60th among 65 Power 5 schools -- last in the Big Ten -- in graduation rates for Black athletes in all sports between 2014 and 2018. Only 40% of Iowa's Black athletes graduated, compared to 77% of all athletes, a differential that also ranked last in the conference. Hawkeye Nation also reported that Iowa enrolled 31 Black scholarship football players between 2013 and 2015, but only eight graduated from the school.


https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/29517486/iowa-football-kirk-ferentz-see-black-players-speak-program-racial-inequities

I read the article concerning the graduation rates on www.Hawkcentral.com. I was left with the impression from that article that there is a high rate of blacks leaving the program early. I wonder whether they have correlated early departures to academic performance, or more generally with dissatisfaction with the environment offered for black players at Iowa. I do know they offer a lot of academic help when you are an athlete, and the time those athletes spend training in their sport, even an above-average college student athlete, could benefit from the extra help. It is not an easy college life.
One guy here in my town had a son who was lightly recruited by Iowa about 10-12 years ago. He was recruited enough to have met Chris Doyle. I think he was offered a "preferred walk-on."  He was a big offensive lineman (white). His father had the impression Chris Doyle was condescending. The son received a scholarship at an FCS school that appeared in the FCS national championship game, and finished 2nd in FCS. He had a free agent tryout with the NFL, but was cut.

[FearlessF]

I read the article concerning the graduation rates on www.Hawkcentral.com. I was left with the impression from that article that there is a high rate of blacks leaving the program early. I wonder whether they have correlated early departures to academic performance, or more generally with dissatisfaction with the environment offered for black players at Iowa. I do know they offer a lot of academic help when you are an athlete, and the time those athletes spend training in their sport, even an above-average college student athlete, could benefit from the extra help. It is not an easy college life.

I agree with this.  It's just that 60th among 65 and last in the Big Ten isn't a good look.  Especially with the complaints by black football players.

[Hawkinole]

I agree with this.  It's just that 60th among 65 and last in the Big Ten isn't a good look.  Especially with the complaints by black football players.

In fact you are right it is a very bad look, either way as I reflect on it, whether this is the result of academic performance, or dissatisfaction with the manner of treatment, or the culture, of the place. Some are just not cut out for the academics at a Big Ten university, and if those are the players being recruited, it means there is a problem with background checking for recruiting. If the culture is bad or staff are prickly or misguided, that is arguably much worse than poor academic background checking for recruits.
I generally had a great experience in college at U of Iowa, not perfect; nothing ever is. As a football fan, it is upsetting to hear Akrum Wadley complain about his experience. My experience watching him develop as a player and slash through Ohio State, and others, was so enjoyable. I just hate to hear his overall impression of his experience at Iowa was that he was mistreated because of his color; that should not be. 

[FearlessF]

An external review of Iowa's football program found an environment where many Black players felt bullied and demeaned, and recommended that coach Kirk Ferentz and athletic director Gary Barta take steps to improve the culture.

Iowa commissioned the review, conducted by Missouri-based firm Husch Blackwell, after claims from more than 60 former players in early June about racial inequities in the football program. The review found many positive comments from current and former players toward Ferentz, but it identified three members of the coaching staff, on-field or from the strength and conditioning program, who "abused their power and verbally abused and bullied players."


https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/29564189/external-review-finds-racial-bias-bullying-iowa-football-program

[Benthere2]

An external review of Iowa's football program found an environment where many Black players felt bullied and demeaned, and recommended that coach Kirk Ferentz and athletic director Gary Barta take steps to improve the culture.

Iowa commissioned the review, conducted by Missouri-based firm Husch Blackwell, after claims from more than 60 former players in early June about racial inequities in the football program. The review found many positive comments from current and former players toward Ferentz, but it identified three members of the coaching staff, on-field or from the strength and conditioning program, who "abused their power and verbally abused and bullied players."


https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/29564189/external-review-finds-racial-bias-bullying-iowa-football-program

And isn't the head coach responsible for the actions of the coaches he has hired and are on his staff?  to blindly say he was not aware of what was going on doesn't work in today's world.  
I don't know how supporters in Iowa would think Kirk is ok being blinded by the actions of coaches like making a player running around the football field with recruits present with a garbage can over the players head
I think the truth is Barta doesn't want to look for a new coach because his first choice was Brian and that might be the greater of two evils.  a coaching change could spin the program into a deep hole of mediocrity

 

[FearlessF]

Barta is going to have to get a handle on this quickly or he'll be looking for a job while the new AD hires a new coach

I've always thought Kirk was one of the very good guys in the sport, hopefully I was right and he can get past this.

but, Barta and Kirk better think fast and do the right thing

[847badgerfan]

Ummm... WTF?


https://twitter.com/SBock247/status/1291734273423269889

[ELA]

He almost committed to Iowa, then was a rumored silent commit to MSU, committed to Michigan, transferred to Iowa, on the the move again

[Entropy]

if he's looking to play immediately, maybe he needs to drop a division.

[847badgerfan]

Unless he has a degree. I doubt he will get another waiver.