Iowa CFB External Review Finds Racial Biases, Supports Retaining HC Kirk Ferentz

The University of Iowa released a report by law firm Husch Blackwell into the internal culture of the Hawkeyes football program.

The firm wrote that it spoke with 111 people as part of the investigation, including 74 current and former Iowa football players:

"Players and coaches uniformly agreed that the Iowa football program is based on a foundation of discipline and accountability. Several current and former players shared the view that some coaches have used those values to create and perpetuate an environment that bullies and demeans athletes, especially Black athletes. Moreover, recognizing that college athletes typically experience some degree of stress associated with their training and performance, several interviewees shared that the program’s stringent rules promulgated under the name of discipline place significant, heightened stress on players of all races."

The report stated that concerns about specific coaches were raised but that "most players commented positively about head coach Kirk Ferentz and his leadership of the program."

Ferentz issued a statement ahead of a scheduled press conference later in the day: "I want to apologize for the pain and frustration they felt at a time when I was trusted to help each of them become a better player and a better person."

Concerns arose in June when former players discussed their difficult experiences at Iowa.

Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson wrote June 6 that strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle "is the problem in that building" and criticized offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz, who's the son of the head coach.

Chicago Bears offensive lineman James Daniels responded that he "wouldn't be in the league" without Doyle or Brian Ferentz but that "change needs to start with those two."

The Husch Blackwell report cited a coach who said Iowa isn't a "racist program," but instead, "one or two coaches had too much power."

Iowa finalized a separation agreement with Doyle in June, while Brian Ferentz remains on the staff.

Thursday's report outlined "strong disparities in witness perceptions of football program culture, especially with respect to race" within the program:

"Two current White players conveyed to investigators that people have confused a 'discipline culture' with a 'racist culture.' In contrast, other players of various races expressed serious concerns about the racial climate. One former player explained: 'Being an Iowa football player was a daily struggle for black players. We were punished for no apparent reason, singled out by coaches, and threatened and ridiculed every day. It is hard to explain how difficult it was. Think about being under pressure every day for 4 years solely because of your race. That is how it was for me and my black teammates.'"

A December 2018 report about former Iowa tight end George Kittle from The Athletic's John Middlekauff alluded to how the culture issues may not have been strictly along racial lines. 

Scott Dochterman of The Athletic shared an excerpt from the report that said Kittle fell to the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round of the 2017 draft in part because Iowa coaches "crushed his football character at the school."

The Husch Blackwell report painted a wider picture of the problem. Two players told investigators Iowa coaches conveyed unflattering portrayals of them to NFL teams, and one coach was alleged to have blackballed players "whom he did not like."

The allegation was voiced by multiple players and one coach.