Mekhi Sargent speaks softly, but comes through loud and clear about Brian Ferentz
By Pat Harty
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Any fair and reasonable person would acknowledge that the Iowa football program had a problem with racial disparities that finally came to light when former center James Daniels said as much on Twitter in early June.
Daniels was the first of more than three dozen former black players who accused the Iowa program of having racial disparities, and double-standards that in some cases worked against the black players.
Most of the accusations were directed at Chris Doyle, who in a less than a month in June went from being the highest paid strength and conditioning coach in the country to being unemployed.
Doyle agreed to a $1.3 million separation, and just like that, he was gone after 21 seasons as Kirk Ferentz’s right-hand man in many ways.
Iowa offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz, who is Kirk Ferentz’s son, was also accused of saying things that were racially insensitive, but not to the extent of Doyle.
Brian Ferentz has yet to comment publicly since the accusations were made, but that should change on Thursday when he meets with the media as part of an Iowa football press conference that will feature the coaches.
Brian Ferentz obviously has some explaining to do, and he probably would help his cause by apologizing to anyone that he might have offended.
You hope that Brian Ferentz has learned from this experience and he realizes that too many former black players have made accusations for it to be considered anything less than serious and disturbing.
Brian Ferentz and his father, fair or not, have had their images forever tarnished by this horrible story.
The challenge now is to move forward and to put words into action.
It’s hard enough playing any Big Ten football season, but to do it during a global pandemic, and after being accused of racial disparities, will make the 2020 season a season like no other.
But with all of that being said, there is also another side to Brian Ferentz that has been easy to overlook since the accusations were made.
I hadn’t given that side much thought until senior running back Mekhi Sargent, who is black and a native of Key West, Fla., was asked Tuesday on a zoom conference to comment on the accusations of racial disparities, and on his relationship with Brian Ferentz.
“Honestly, coach Brian is a great man,” Sargent said. “He’s a great coach. I’ve never had a problem with coach Brian. I’ve never had a problem with coach Doyle. I can’t speak for a lot of people who did have those problems. But for me personally, I’m from a diverse location, Key West, Florida. So I’ve never really had problems with the racial disparities.
“I’ve never experienced it here at the University of Iowa. And like I said, coach Brian is a real good coach. And he’s going to continue to be a very good coach and very supportive of all the players here.”
Needless to say, that’s a strong endorsement from a player who demands respect.
Sargent feels that way about Brian Ferentz despite having lost the starting running back position to then true freshman Tyler Goodson late last season.
It would be easy for Sargent to be bitter and vindictive in his position, and to use the accusations to his advantage.
But instead, Sargent has accepted his role and he still supports Brian Ferentz.
That says something about Sargent’s character, and about Brian Ferentz’s influence.
Sargent also didn’t have any problems with Doyle, as he pointed out. But Sargent was careful not to speak for the players who did have problems with Doyle.
It is reasonable to believe that some black players had issues with Doyle’s approach, but also that some didn’t. Both things can be true.
Sargent is very soft spoken and comes across as being all-business, so maybe he was spared any mistreatment.
But just because a player isn’t soft-spoken, or maybe lacks some discipline or maturity, isn’t reason to be mistreated.
And it’s always possible that some black players still were mistreated despite being soft spoken and all-business.
Doyle obviously crossed the line too many times with black players, and has since paid a heavy price.
Brian Ferentz still has a chance to repair his image, and to help his father fix the culture within the Iowa program.
Sargent said the right steps are being taken on a daily basis. He sees it, and can feel it.
“I would say a lot that went on in the offseason did kind of bring our football together because at the end of the day we all have to go onto the field and play together,” Sargent said. “We all have to get up in the morning and train together. We all have to be in position meetings together. We’re all brothers. We’re all family here. We have a stronger bond now that things are kind of moving forward in the right direction.”
It has been a rough fourth months for Brian Ferentz from a public relations standpoint, but he finally received a vote of confidence from somebody who truly matters.
Mekhi Sargent speaks softly, but what he said about his embattled offensive coordinator came through loud and clear.