Weeks after the firing of strength coach Chris Doyle, allegations of dysfunction and racism within the Iowa football program are still emerging.
On Monday, former running back Akrum Wadley delivered a scathing reprimand from the show, alleging abusive and racist behavior in naming Doyle, head coach Kirk Ferentz and offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz.
Wadley made the allegations in a Facebook post shared by Robert T. Green, an athlete advocate who represents various Iowa players in their complaints about the program.
“I wish I had never played for the Iowa Hawkeyes,” Akrum wrote. “I would not recommend to any future athlete or parent to send their child to play for the Iowa Hawkeyes with the current training staff. …
“My hope is that my story and those of my teammates will save others from the experiences, truths and mistakes of playing low and for a coaching staff in Iowa that did and said nothing to stop the harassment and racism that happened to us under Chris Doyle, Brian Ferentz and Kirk Ferentz.
Wadley played for Iowa from 2013-17 and acted as junior and senior, eclipsing 1,300 yards of scrimmage while adding 13 touchdowns each season. On Monday, he described his time with the Hawkeyes as “a living nightmare.”
Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz watches from the bench during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Purdue on Saturday October 19, 2019 in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 26-20 . (AP Photo / Charlie Neibergall)
Wadley: Brian Ferentz made racist jokes
Wadley’s allegations come exactly two weeks after the June 15 dismissal of Doyle, who had been on vacation after calls for a culture change in Iowa. Several former black players focused their complaints on the force coach, accusing him of make racist remarks and do things like step on [on] players’ fingers during training.
Wadley’s accusations did not spare Kirk Ferentz or his son Brian. Kirk Ferentz has been a head coach in Iowa since 1999, while his son Brian has been an offensive line coach or offensive coordinator since 2012.
Wadley accused Brian Ferentz of making repeated jokes about him committing robberies when he wore a black wool cap that the team turned in.
“Once when I was running towards the facility, coach Brian Ferentz said, ‘Hi Akrum, are you going to rob a gas station?'” Wadley wrote. “I was so upset, but I ignored it and kept going.
“This happened a few more times in the same situation. The only difference is that he said, “Akrum, are you going to steal a liquor store?” “
Wadley: Kirk Ferentz revoked food card as punishment
Wadley accused Kirk Ferentz of establishing a culture of fear, with players threatened with punishment for speaking their mind and instructions not to use social media without the team’s approval. He said that he and other black teammates were “directed to the extreme about not doing Iowa’s required weight” and that Kirk Ferentz approached his mother to convince him to stay when considering the transfer.
Wadley said she got sick daily “after drinking pounds of Powerade and / or shakes just before exercising” in an effort to gain weight. He accused Kirk Ferentz of revoking his food as a form of punishment.
“Kirk Ferentz threatened that my meal card would be taken away and I would not eat or sit with my teammates during the meal sessions,” Wadley wrote. “He carried out his threat. I went to use my food card and it was declined.
“I had to call my mother from New Jersey at 10 or 11 at night because I was hungry to order Dominos Pizza for me. Or he would have to go to a fanatic’s house earlier in the evening to eat because there was no way he could survive vomiting the next day, being weak and able to pass school and practice that day. “
Iowa running back Akrum Wadley enters the field before an NCAA college football game against North Texas on Saturday, September 16, 2017, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo / Charlie Neibergall)
Ferentz has addressed player complaints
Following Doyle’s firing, Kirk Ferentz admitted a “blind spot” on the show and said he had had productive meetings with past and current players.
“The former players were very talkative,” Ferentz said June 12. “They were very direct and just pointed out a few things that maybe gave me a new awareness. And I think Monday’s meeting, Tuesday’s meeting continued in that light. So the key here is to try to create an environment where everyone feels free to speak and say what they think, and know that it will be weighed, valued and measured. “
In a previous statement after the allegations against Doyle began to surface, Kirk Ferentz promised to “listen and take seriously the messages we hear.” He also encouraged the team to collectively decide whether to stand or kneel during the national anthem in the wake of the George Floyd murder.
Wadley: the experience led him to drink
Wadley wrote Monday that his Iowa experience led him to drink alcohol.
“I felt that playing for Iowa Football was a living nightmare,” Akrum wrote. “I never drank alcohol before going to college, but based on my experience there, it became the only thing I could trust, and it was what I did to cope.”
