Racism is running deep within the sports of football as now longtime Iowa strength/conditioning coach Chris Doyle has been placed on administrative leave, the school announced Saturday.
According to ESPN, the decision comes after several former Iowa football players spoke out about negative experiences they had under Iowa/Doyle’s supervision.
Several days ago head coach Kirk Ferentz lifted a long-standing ban on social media that allowed these players to voice their negative/racist experiences with Mr. Doyle while at the program.
Former offensive lineman James Daniels wrote “There are too many racial disparities in the Iowa football program. Black players have been treated unfairly for too long.”
Former Hawkeye defensive back Emmanuel Rugamba detailed two incidents in which Doyle would quote “would put them back on the streets,” and another in which he mocked black culture, sagging his pants and putting his cap backwards.
Former Iowa linebacker Terrance Pryor echoed another incident in which Doyle suggested Pryor take rowing and wasn’t cut out for football but then retorted saying “Oh, wait black people don’t like boats in water do they?”
As a result of these incidents, Ferentz announced the creation of an advisory committee that will be manned by a former player that will compromise former and current players as well as department staff.
Doyle, meanwhile, was the highest paid strength coach and had been with the Hawkeyes throughout Ferentz 21-year tenure.
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