Hunter
03/07/23
University of Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz said he was “disappointed” with the settlement reached between the University of Iowa and the former football players who accused the program of racism and harassment.
On Monday, The UI and Board of Regents agreed to settle the lawsuit, with the state paying $2 million out of its general fund and the other $2.175 million coming from the University.
The State Board of Appeals voted 2-1 to accept the settlement, over the objection of board member and State Auditor Rob Sand. He said the Athletic Department has plenty of funds to take care of the obligations themselves.
Iowa Department of Management Director Kraig Paulsen, also a member of the board, said his vote to settle was based upon the recommendation of Attorney General Brenna Bird, and it’s not up to the board to play a role in Athletic Director Gary Barta’s employment status. However, the other member who voted yes, State Treasurer Roby Smith, said he wished the University of Iowa would reconsider its relationship with Barta and offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz.
The settlement directly pays the players’ legal representation, Solomon-Simmons Law $1.9 million for fees and expenses, with the players splitting the remainder.
In addition to the settlement, the players will get up to $20,000 apiece in tuition reimbursement expenses, and a year of mental health counseling. It also requires the University of Iowa to hire diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant Leonard Moore, a University of Texas Black Studies professor, to help the athletic department implement its five-year diversity plan.
In his statement, Coach Ferentz said attorneys for the University filed a motion for summary judgement outlining reasons why the case should have been dismissed, but the settlement was reached before a judge could rule on the request. He added the settlement is not an admission of any wrongdoing.
Ferentz closed his letter saying that he and the program had been unfairly and negatively impacted by the allegations.