Hawkeye offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz — among several defendants facing accusations of racial discrimination in a lawsuit filed by former players — wants a judge to rule in his favor and essentially drop the case against him, calling the claims “meritless, unsupported, and contrary to law.”
Addressing each of the seven former players named as plaintiffs in the federal suit filed in October 2020, Ferentz disputes and discredits their accusations — pointing specifically to deposition testimony he said contradicts earlier statements made in a sworn interrogation.
“B. Ferentz has had annual employment reviews by Athletic Director Gary Barta since 2012, and no complaint about any racial discrimination, harassment, slur, name, or epithet has been made against him at any time as a player or coach before June 2020,” according to Ferentz’ Thursday motion for summary judgment.
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The lawsuit — now ongoing for nearly two years — grew out of allegations made on social media in the summer of 2020 about years of racism in the Hawkeye football program. The suit has prompted contentious exchanges between the players and Hawkeye personnel, including accusations of harassment and delay tactics.
A judge in June ordered UI to release all materials the players asked for from an independent and external review by Husch Blackwell — including reports on head coach Kirk Ferentz, his son Brian Ferentz, and assistant coaches Seth Wallace and Chris Doyle.
But Brian Ferentz this week in his motion for summary judgment went player by player, disputing allegations against him and asking for their dismissal.
Darian Cooper — a defensive lineman who graduated in May 2016, which Ferentz notes is more than four years before the lawsuit — “admitted in his deposition that B. Ferentz did not mock, make fun of, or ridicule Cooper at any time regarding his hair, jewelry, tattoos, clothing, diction, or the way he walked,” Ferentz noted in his motion, referencing accusations in the lawsuit.
“Cooper admitted in his deposition that B. Ferentz did not use any racial slur, name, or epithet towards him at any time,” according to the motion, an assertion Ferentz made related to many of the players in the suit.
Ferentz argued that although Cooper is suing him for $8 million for loss of a professional football career, endorsements and sponsorships, and for “exacerbating his knee injuries,” he argues, “B. Ferentz had nothing to do with Cooper’s knees or injuries.”
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“Coach Brian Ferentz did nothing to affect Cooper’s scholarship to play football at Iowa, complete his opportunity to get an education, cause him any knee injury, or impede his recovery from his injuries,” according to the motion.
Aaron Mends, who played defensive linebacker for UI from 2014 to 2018, also admitted Ferentz didn’t mock or make fun of him for his hair, jewelry, clothing, or diction, according to the motion.
“Mends met with Liz Tovar and John Bruno of the university administration in 2018 about ‘what was going on at Iowa,’ but he admits he does not recall saying anything about B. Ferentz to them,” according to the motion.
Mends tore his ACL during a spring practice in 2018 and didn’t play or practice that fall, graduating in December 2018. Addressing accusations Ferentz’ discrimination impacted Mends’ career, his motion argued, “B. Ferentz has an opinion that Mends was not likely to play in 2018 because he would be recovering from a serious injury.
“He would not likely play in games in 2019 because Iowa had better players than Mends to fill linebacker positions, but defendant did not communicate his opinion to Mends at any time or participate in decisions about Mends’ playing time or prospects.”
Ferentz in the motion referenced Mends’ preference for another offensive coordinator, but notes, “Ferentz did not racially discriminate against Mends by seeking the promotion.”
As for Mends’ playing time, Ferentz said any lack was due to defensive coaches evaluating other Hawkeyes as “more skilled players, better athletes, and displaying better football judgment than Mends, including two starters at Iowa (Josey Jewell and Ben Niemann) who have played in the NFL for about five years.”
He also noted Mends once overslept, losing playing time he never regained. In 2020, Mends returned to Iowa City to train for the NFL but had no contract at that time.
“Because Mends left the university in January 2019, he was considered ineligible to use the Iowa training facilities when he requested in 2020,” according to Ferentz.
Mends specifically sued Ferentz for up to $300,000 annually for loss of coaching career because “B. Ferentz allegedly gave prospective employers and schools an inaccurate impression of Mends.”
But, Ferentz argued, “Aaron Mends has never applied to be a coach.”
“B. Ferentz has never been contacted by any coach, team, school, or program about Mends,” according to the motion. “Mends’ sworn statements that Coach Brian Ferentz prevented or affected his coaching opportunities are untrue.”
Brandon Simon, a defensive lineman from 2015 to 2018, had “very little to do with” Ferentz, according to the motion. Ferentz accused him in the motion of contradicting his earlier testimony in a deposition, and Ferentz removed himself from allegations racial discrimination affected his playing time.
“Simon’s complaint that he did not make the travel list, dress for all home games, or play, and the coaching staff made such decisions to punish him because of his race has nothing to do with B. Ferentz,” according to the motion.
Ferentz, in the motion, voiced his opinion Simon didn’t play, travel to away games, or dress for all home games because the team had “more skilled defensive line players than plaintiff Simon.”
“Simon did not make the two deep roster due to effort, attitude, size, and football skills, although that decision was made by other coaches,” according to the motion.
In his motion, Ferentz also discussed Simon’s academic performance and complaints about the “frequency and unreasonableness of drug testing at Iowa.”
Ferentz — in addressing Simon’s accusations — responded to allegations he encouraged running backs in a meeting to hit Simon in practice.
“B. Ferentz never asked players to hurt another white or Black player,” according to the motion. “B. Ferentz does not recall any hits on Brandon Simon or Reggie Spearman at his request that caused either of them any injury.”
Jonathan Parker was a kick returner, running back, and wide receiver from 2013 to 2016 — graduating in December 2016.
To accusations Parker lost playing time due to discriminatory practices, Ferentz in his motion pointed to Parker’s poor performance on one play in the 2014 TaxSlayer Bowl.
“Parker’s mistake may have affected his opportunities to play subsequently, including that he did not play in 2015 and only played two plays during games in 2016,” according to the motion. “The Bleacher Report described it as, ‘This might go down as the biggest brain fart from the college football season.’”
Responding to allegations an academic counselor discouraged him from pre-dental curriculum in 2013, Ferentz in his lawsuit said he’s not liable for lost earnings.
“B. Ferentz had nothing to do with any delay of his becoming a dentist.”
Ferentz, again, argued Parker wasn’t good enough to “earn much of any playing time at Iowa,” and his lack thereof wasn’t due to racism.
He also discussed a “secret tape recording” Parker made during a meeting with head coach Kirk Ferentz — after Parker said he was kicked out of practice for a back-and-forth with Brian Ferentz.
The two sides disagreed on what happened and who said what, and Parker in his motion said the secret recording and videotape support his side.
“The secret tape recording by Parker does not contain the word ‘race’ or ‘racial discrimination,’ or any reference to race, or racial slur, or racial epithet,“ according to the motion.
“In a football practice drill that contained over 50 players and 10 coaches and assistants, the alleged use of a racial slur, name or epithet without some mention, report, leak to the press, text, or email of it by anyone for three and one-half years is consistent with B. Ferentz’s testimony that it did not happen.’”
Addressing each of the seven former players named as plaintiffs in the federal suit filed in October 2020, Ferentz disputes and discredits their accusations — pointing specifically to deposition testimony he said contradicts earlier statements made in a sworn interrogation.
“B. Ferentz has had annual employment reviews by Athletic Director Gary Barta since 2012, and no complaint about any racial discrimination, harassment, slur, name, or epithet has been made against him at any time as a player or coach before June 2020,” according to Ferentz’ Thursday motion for summary judgment.
Advertisement
The lawsuit — now ongoing for nearly two years — grew out of allegations made on social media in the summer of 2020 about years of racism in the Hawkeye football program. The suit has prompted contentious exchanges between the players and Hawkeye personnel, including accusations of harassment and delay tactics.
A judge in June ordered UI to release all materials the players asked for from an independent and external review by Husch Blackwell — including reports on head coach Kirk Ferentz, his son Brian Ferentz, and assistant coaches Seth Wallace and Chris Doyle.
But Brian Ferentz this week in his motion for summary judgment went player by player, disputing allegations against him and asking for their dismissal.
Darian Cooper — a defensive lineman who graduated in May 2016, which Ferentz notes is more than four years before the lawsuit — “admitted in his deposition that B. Ferentz did not mock, make fun of, or ridicule Cooper at any time regarding his hair, jewelry, tattoos, clothing, diction, or the way he walked,” Ferentz noted in his motion, referencing accusations in the lawsuit.
“Cooper admitted in his deposition that B. Ferentz did not use any racial slur, name, or epithet towards him at any time,” according to the motion, an assertion Ferentz made related to many of the players in the suit.
Ferentz argued that although Cooper is suing him for $8 million for loss of a professional football career, endorsements and sponsorships, and for “exacerbating his knee injuries,” he argues, “B. Ferentz had nothing to do with Cooper’s knees or injuries.”
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“Coach Brian Ferentz did nothing to affect Cooper’s scholarship to play football at Iowa, complete his opportunity to get an education, cause him any knee injury, or impede his recovery from his injuries,” according to the motion.
Aaron Mends, who played defensive linebacker for UI from 2014 to 2018, also admitted Ferentz didn’t mock or make fun of him for his hair, jewelry, clothing, or diction, according to the motion.
“Mends met with Liz Tovar and John Bruno of the university administration in 2018 about ‘what was going on at Iowa,’ but he admits he does not recall saying anything about B. Ferentz to them,” according to the motion.
Mends tore his ACL during a spring practice in 2018 and didn’t play or practice that fall, graduating in December 2018. Addressing accusations Ferentz’ discrimination impacted Mends’ career, his motion argued, “B. Ferentz has an opinion that Mends was not likely to play in 2018 because he would be recovering from a serious injury.
“He would not likely play in games in 2019 because Iowa had better players than Mends to fill linebacker positions, but defendant did not communicate his opinion to Mends at any time or participate in decisions about Mends’ playing time or prospects.”
Ferentz in the motion referenced Mends’ preference for another offensive coordinator, but notes, “Ferentz did not racially discriminate against Mends by seeking the promotion.”
As for Mends’ playing time, Ferentz said any lack was due to defensive coaches evaluating other Hawkeyes as “more skilled players, better athletes, and displaying better football judgment than Mends, including two starters at Iowa (Josey Jewell and Ben Niemann) who have played in the NFL for about five years.”
He also noted Mends once overslept, losing playing time he never regained. In 2020, Mends returned to Iowa City to train for the NFL but had no contract at that time.
“Because Mends left the university in January 2019, he was considered ineligible to use the Iowa training facilities when he requested in 2020,” according to Ferentz.
Mends specifically sued Ferentz for up to $300,000 annually for loss of coaching career because “B. Ferentz allegedly gave prospective employers and schools an inaccurate impression of Mends.”
But, Ferentz argued, “Aaron Mends has never applied to be a coach.”
“B. Ferentz has never been contacted by any coach, team, school, or program about Mends,” according to the motion. “Mends’ sworn statements that Coach Brian Ferentz prevented or affected his coaching opportunities are untrue.”
Brandon Simon, a defensive lineman from 2015 to 2018, had “very little to do with” Ferentz, according to the motion. Ferentz accused him in the motion of contradicting his earlier testimony in a deposition, and Ferentz removed himself from allegations racial discrimination affected his playing time.
“Simon’s complaint that he did not make the travel list, dress for all home games, or play, and the coaching staff made such decisions to punish him because of his race has nothing to do with B. Ferentz,” according to the motion.
Ferentz, in the motion, voiced his opinion Simon didn’t play, travel to away games, or dress for all home games because the team had “more skilled defensive line players than plaintiff Simon.”
“Simon did not make the two deep roster due to effort, attitude, size, and football skills, although that decision was made by other coaches,” according to the motion.
In his motion, Ferentz also discussed Simon’s academic performance and complaints about the “frequency and unreasonableness of drug testing at Iowa.”
Ferentz — in addressing Simon’s accusations — responded to allegations he encouraged running backs in a meeting to hit Simon in practice.
“B. Ferentz never asked players to hurt another white or Black player,” according to the motion. “B. Ferentz does not recall any hits on Brandon Simon or Reggie Spearman at his request that caused either of them any injury.”
Jonathan Parker was a kick returner, running back, and wide receiver from 2013 to 2016 — graduating in December 2016.
To accusations Parker lost playing time due to discriminatory practices, Ferentz in his motion pointed to Parker’s poor performance on one play in the 2014 TaxSlayer Bowl.
“Parker’s mistake may have affected his opportunities to play subsequently, including that he did not play in 2015 and only played two plays during games in 2016,” according to the motion. “The Bleacher Report described it as, ‘This might go down as the biggest brain fart from the college football season.’”
Responding to allegations an academic counselor discouraged him from pre-dental curriculum in 2013, Ferentz in his lawsuit said he’s not liable for lost earnings.
“B. Ferentz had nothing to do with any delay of his becoming a dentist.”
Ferentz, again, argued Parker wasn’t good enough to “earn much of any playing time at Iowa,” and his lack thereof wasn’t due to racism.
He also discussed a “secret tape recording” Parker made during a meeting with head coach Kirk Ferentz — after Parker said he was kicked out of practice for a back-and-forth with Brian Ferentz.
The two sides disagreed on what happened and who said what, and Parker in his motion said the secret recording and videotape support his side.
“The secret tape recording by Parker does not contain the word ‘race’ or ‘racial discrimination,’ or any reference to race, or racial slur, or racial epithet,“ according to the motion.
“In a football practice drill that contained over 50 players and 10 coaches and assistants, the alleged use of a racial slur, name or epithet without some mention, report, leak to the press, text, or email of it by anyone for three and one-half years is consistent with B. Ferentz’s testimony that it did not happen.’”
Hawkeye offensive coordinator Ferentz asks judge to drop racism claims
Hawkeye offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz — among several defendants facing accusations of racial discrimination in a lawsuit filed by former players — wants a judge to rule in his favor and essentially drop the case against him, calling the claims “meritless, unsupported, and contrary to law.”
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