Iowa Football Coach Kirk Ferentz Disbands Diversity Committee

[/news/iowa/index.html 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.
[ ] reports that Ferentz's 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. But Ferentz said he had decided to overhaul the committee last fall before Porter made his comment to other committee members in a text message.
'I have come to a decision that this is an appropriate time to dissolve our committee as it stands currently,' Ferentz wrote in an email to the 10-member committee on Tuesday. 'As we start a new calendar year and prepare to move forward with our preparation for the 2022 season, I am giving thought to how we restructure the committee/board in a way that best serves our program moving forward.'
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 Iowa Gazette reports that Ferentz's decision to end the committee came shortly after its leader, former offensive lineman David Porter (pictured), suggested it was time for Iowa to part ways with Ferentz. But Ferentz said he had decided to overhaul the committee last fall before Porter made his comment to other committee members in a text message
In 2020, the university hired the Husch Blackwell law firm istanbul 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. 
Their activism came as protests against racial injustice swept the nation following the death of George Floyd and after attempts to raise concerns inside the program resulted in only minor changes.
RELATED ARTICLES [# Previous] [# 1] [# Next] [/news/article-9251361/Jags-coach-Urban-Meyer-slammed-hiring-racist-assistant-Chris-Doyle.html Jaguars hire former Iowa assistant Chris Doyle eight months...] [/news/article-8853621/Iowa-says-wont-pay-ex-players-demand-20-million.html Eight black former Iowa football players demand $20 million...]



Share this article
Share


The report said that some of the football program's rules 'perpetuated racial or cultural biases and diminished the value of cultural diversity.'
Reaction to Ferentz's decision came quickly on social media. 
'Kirk Ferentz's decision to disband the advisory committee after just 18 months, and to sever ties with David Porter is an unfortunate step backwards in Ferentz's quest to fix the culture within the Iowa football program,' tweeted Hawkeyes blogger [ ].
However, African-American former team captain Jordan Lomax disagreed with Harty. 
'Instead of being so quick to write an article you guys should've reached out to the other committee members for their thoughts,' Lomax tweeted. 'This is a one-sided article and only David Porter's opinion, which I, and others disagreed with.'
Reaction to Ferentz's decision came quickly on social media. 'Kirk Ferentz's decision to disband the advisory committee after just 18 months, and to sever ties with David Porter is an unfortunate step backwards in Ferentz's quest to fix the culture within the Iowa football program,' tweeted Hawkeyes blogger Pat Harty
Former Iowa captain Jordan Lomax disagreed with Harty and voiced his support for Ferentz
The program cut ties with longtime strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle after agreeing to pay him $1.1 million severance, but Ferentz resisted making other changes to his staff. Doyle has denied allegations that he bullied and discriminated against players.
Several players had accused Doyle of using racial slurs when addressing them, an allegation he denied. Brian Ferentz , Kirk's son, also was alleged to have been abusive to players.
Doyle, who earned $800,000 per year and was the highest paid strength and conditioning coach in college football, has denied any 'unethical behavior or bias' based on race. 
Under the separation agreement, Doyle was paid 15 months' salary and for unused vacation. 
The program cut ties with longtime strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle (pictured) after agreeing to pay him $1.1 million severance, but Ferentz resisted making other changes to his staff. Doyle has denied allegations that he bullied and discriminated against players
Clearly, university leaders still have confidence in Ferentz because the Iowa Athletic Department announced Friday that his contract has been extended through the 2029 season. Ferentz, who has led Iowa since 1999, is the nation's longest-tenured FBS head coach.
Iowa offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz (pictured), Kirk's son, was also allegedly abusive, according to former players
Ferentz said in a statement that his program learned from the committee's work and he believes 'we can be a team and celebrate players as individuals.' He said he appreciates 'the time and dedication of those volunteer members who shared ideas and best practices.'
But Porter said he is disappointed that Ferentz appears to have ended the committee without a plan to continue its work, which remains unfinished.
'Our overarching theme was making sure that when kids go through the program they feel safe and protected,' Porter said. 'Fear and intimidation is an issue we want to make sure we can address.'
Porter said the further away the group got from the 2020 report there seemed to be less urgency to address the issues even though a lawsuit 13 former players filed accusing the university of discrimination remains pending.
'For a while we were making good progress,' he said. 'But as you get further away from the initial situation and issue, people tend to lose focus on why we were formed in the first place.'
Former Iowa offensive lineman James Daniels (pictured), now with the Chicago Bears, was the first to raise the issue of the Iowa staff's treatment of players

In 2020, eight former players demanded $20 million and the firing of Ferentz for racial discrimination. Those players included Akrum Wadley, Aaron Mends, Jonathan Parker, Marcel Joly, Maurice Fleming, Reggie Spearman, Kevonte Martin-Manley and Andre Harris.
Former Iowa offensive lineman James Daniels, now with the Chicago Bears, was the first to raise the issue of the Iowa staff's treatment of players.
'There are too many racial disparities in the Iowa football program. Black players have been treated unfairly for far too long,' Daniels tweeted on June 5, 2020. 
Former defensive back Emmanuel Rugamba told of Doyle admonishing a black teammate and then asked him why he walked with swagger. 'I'll put you back on the streets,' Doyle told the teammate, who Rugamba said came 'from a happy home with both parents'
Dozens of former players followed with social media posts about their experiences, with many accusing Doyle of making racist remarks and belittling players. Doyle was placed on paid administrative leave on June 6, 2020. 
Former Iowa linebacker Terrance Pryor said Doyle had told him he should take up rowing, then added, 'Oh, wait, black people don't like boats in water, do they?' Former safety Diaunte Morrow alleged Doyle had told him he would send him 'back to the ghetto.' 
Former defensive back Emmanuel Rugamba told of Doyle admonishing a black teammate and then asked him why he walked with swagger. 
'I'll put you back on the streets,' Doyle told the teammate, according to Rugamba. 
As Rugamba explained on Twitter, 'the kid comes from a happy home with both parents.' 
The internal review, which included interviews with 111 current and former players and employees, found the cultural problems were systemic.
The report said many black players did not feel welcome or supported in the program. Players reported that they were long not allowed to wear 'do-rags,' tank tops, earrings or other jewelry in the football building and were discouraged from getting tattoos or having certain hair styles. Black players said they felt singled out, isolated and forced to suppress their personalities.
Ferentz eliminated rules on jewelry and hats and instructed his staff not to critique hair styles or tattoos last year after an athletic department review raised racial bias concerns.
Former Haw[ Pat Harty on Twitter: "Kirk Ferentz's decision to disband the advisory committee after just 18 months, and to sever ties with David Porter is an unfortunate step backwards in Ferentz's quest to fix the culture within the Iowa football pr ...][ Pat Harty on Twitter: "Kirk Ferentz's decision to disband the advisory committee after just 18 months, and to sever ties with David Porter is an unfortunate step backwards in Ferentz's quest to fix the culture within the Iowa football pr ...]



DM.later('bundle', function()
DM.has('external-source-links', 'externalLinkTracker');
);