In the hospital because of workouts that his staff was putting them through.
At last check of the huge contract that Ferentz has, one of the perks, he has use of a private plane! We know hind sight is always 20/20 but I'm pretty sure today would have been a good time to cash in some of the flight hours on jet to get back home. Sure the doctors can say don't worry, it's not serious and the players will be okay. But a second opinion is needed here. Kirk, THIS IS SERIOUS! You should have been running home, instead it looks like you run and hide. I so glad to know you were aware of the situation and that you were monitoring it. What you should be doing is addressing the situation and assuring not only Iowa fans but the hoards of media, local and national that are ready to hang you out to dry. After the awful month of December you had, can you really be this out of touch? 3.8 Million can buy a lot of stuff but it's obvious it doesn't buy common sense.
After talking to Dr. Rob Zatechka today on my radio snow on KXNO in Des Moines, I have come to the conclusion that the workouts in question were extreme, but I highly doubt they had the intention to harm these kids. Yes, 13 players at once is rare, unheard of really but from all accounts this workout has been done in the past with seemingly no problems. Iowa will learn from this, college athletics will learn from this.
What Kirk Ferentz continues to not learn is public perception. Seriously, Jeff Poggi, a parent got on plane and rushed to Iowa City to make sure his son was okay. If Ferentz is a true father figure everyone makes him out to be, he needs to be front and center today. Frentz is the face of the program and when the lights are on he needs to be in front of the camera.
Again, talking to physicians and athletes, I'm convinced the workout was extreme however not meant to harm.
But if you are an Iowa fan and wonder why in the hell the program gets picked on a lot, it's because you have a football coach and Athletic Director who can't face reality. Remember perception is reality! Shame on Kirk Ferentz. Shame on Gary Barta and Shame on the Iowa Sports Information Department for not doing their job and giving good public relations advice to the two men who need it most.
Just another in the line of PR blunders by Iowa. Someone should remind the Iowa brass that this is the 21st century and the events of today will spread like a wild fire on the internet, espically in the age of social media that Ferentz has already said he's no fan of.
ReplyDeleteGO HUSKERS!
I respect all opinions but here is mine...
ReplyDeleteI believe parent Biff Poggi mentioned in the presser that he had personally talked with Ferentz five times since Monday. I guess that counts for nothing. Based on this I'm assuming Ferentz has had similar contacts with the other parents as well. In my mind the parents are the contacts that matter the most... not the PR contacts and social media. The public is not privy to what was said or discussed in those private conversations nor do they have a right to know. Also not known is what the doctor(s) have told both the parents and the coaching staff.
I suspect this is not as serious as it has been perceived but it is a condition that has a remote chance of being much more serious so every pre-caution is being taken.
We live in a society that tries to tear down anyone or anything who is successful [note the mention of Ferentz's salary and the post from a rival Husker fan]. We also live in a PC society that has wussified our great nation. Gregg Doyel was on our local radio show calling for immediate changes to all conditioning programs across the country. Wow,, how is that for PC and wussification. Would he not be the first person to right about the Hawks lack of conditioning and that Ferentz should be fired if we go 3-8??? Maybe the real answer then is all sports should simply be discontinued. Would that not be easier and less costly? This would insure that nothing bad could ever happen from athletic competition and prepartion. Then we would not need people like Greg Doyel who makes a living off of sensationalism in the PC-PR, social media world.
I simply do not see how Ferentz's or Barta's attendance in this presser does anything to help the players who are recovering. Would it have been nice sure but not necessary.
Get well HAWKS!