 Marc MorehouseHi, I'm Marc Morehouse. I've covered sports for more than 15 years, mostly in Eastern Iowa. I've had Hayden Fry [...] |
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No chance of a return
Coker is finished at Iowa
Iowa running back Marcus Coker (34) evades Minnesota's Cameron Botticelli (46) in the second quarter of their game at TCF Bank Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011, in Minneapolis. (Liz Martin/SourceMedia Group News)
Marcus Coker is officially finished at the University of Iowa, Iowa City attorney Leon Spies said Wednesday.
The former Hawkeyes running back withdrew from Iowa on Tuesday. Also Tuesday, Coker was named as a subject in a Iowa City Police Department investigation of an assault that occurred on Oct. 28.
“Yesterday, he withdrew his enrollment and registration at the University of Iowa and he’s moving on,” Spies said. “His career at Iowa is over.”
On his Facebook page Tuesday, Coker expressed frustration with the situation, writing “it’s really ridiculous to be punished for something I didn’t do.” The sophomore, who was second in the Big Ten in rushing with 1,384 yards, told The Gazette on Dec. 30 he wanted to remain at the UI.
Spies said he’s been assisting Coker in his dealings with the University of Iowa. He said there wasn’t much he could say on that front.
“Because of the university’s procedures in cases like this, which are confidential, I’m not at liberty to give you any response,” Spies said when asked if Coker’s suspension and the investigation were linked.
“All I can tell you is that in any decision like this involving a young man of his talents and aspirations, it was a complicated choice,” Spies said. “Fortunately, he had a lot of valuable input from his family, his teammates and friends at the university. He’s a top-drawer young man and it was a very difficult choice.”
Asked about the fact Coker wanted to remain a Hawkeye, Spies said, “A lot of that is what I can’t answer, only because of the limitations imposed on me by my ethics and by university regulations.”
When Coker transfers, he’ll have three years to play two seasons of football. Spies said he didn’t know where Coker would end up.
“That’s factoring in what he and his family are discussing right now,” he said. “As always, his goal has been to be the best student, teammate and citizen he can be. I think he’s still got his eyes on that prize.”
Spies’ statement leaves no room for a turnaround. Coker is finished at Iowa.
Coker was featured in a UI fundraising video this year. He also was profiled in the university’s viewbook, which is sent to prospective students.
And now he’s gone.
UI sports information director Steve Roe said head coach Kirk Ferentz and athletics director Gary Barta wouldn’t have a comment Wednesday. Barta discussed the situation before Tuesday’s basketball game at Michigan State.
“When you put all that time and energy — whenever somebody doesn’t finish with you, because that’s the goal – the goal is to win championships and watch, in this case young men, walk out the door with a degree in their hand,” Barta said, ” so anytime that doesn’t happen – they’re teachers, they’re mentors – so, anytime that doesn’t happen they’re frustrated. And it’s not just this situation; it’s any time it happens.”
Coker was suspended for Iowa’s appearance in the Insight Bowl, with the UI citing a violation in the student-athlete code of conduct. Coker also was the subject the ICPD investigation into an alleged assault that took place Oct. 28, a day before Coker gained 252 yards in a loss at Minnesota.
Spies said Coker was aware of the investigation and Iowa City’s response in the police report that was released. The University of Iowa also was aware.
Here’s a timeline:
Oct. 28, 1:15 to 1:30 a.m. — Incident occured at 618 Iowa Ave., Coker’s residence (according to Iowa City Police incident report)
Oct. 28, 4:53 a.m. — Incident reported to ICPD by victim
Case is listed as “active” and victim was “dispatched to UIHC for a sexual assault.”
Oct. 28, 2:36 p.m. — Charter for the Hawkeyes’ game at Minnesota leaves the Eastern Iowa Airport (link).
Oct. 29 — Coker rushes for career-high 252 yards and two TDs in Iowa’s 22-21 loss.
Oct. 31 — Iowa City police inform University of Iowa officials about the alleged assault.
Dec. 20 — Iowa announces Coker is suspended for the Insight Bowl, citing a violation of University of Iowa policies and the UI student-athlete code of conduct.
Dec. 28 — Iowa athletics director Gary Barta tells reporters at the Insight Bowl, “Yes, the invitation is there for him to come back. We’ll let this play out and see what happens.”
Dec. 30 — Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says on pregame radio that he expects Coker to come back. “Hope things work out positively.”
Dec. 30 — Coker tells The Gazette via Facebook he wishes to return to the UI, saying “Hawk for life.”
Jan. 10, 2012 — Coker withdraws from the University of Iowa. Details of the ICPD assault investigation are released in answer to an open records request by the Iowa City Press-Citizen.
Jan. 10 – Coker expresses frustration with the situation on Facebook, “Welp so much for that. It was a good 2 years iowa..best 2 I could of asked for. Thanks again for the support. I really wish I could tell u guys wats goin on cuz its really ridiculous to b punished for somethin I didnt do. Id like to think the coaches and athletic staff for everything. Hawk for life.”
Jan. 11 — Leon Spies, Coker’s attorney, says Coker’s career at Iowa is over and no explanation can be given because of UI regulations.
A couple missing (and telling) items from the timeline:
Nov. 5 – 132 yards rushing and 2 TDs vs Michigan
Nov. 12 – 57 yards rushing, 24 yards receiving and 1 TD vs. Michigan State
Nov. 19 – 139 yards rushing and 1 TD at Purdue
Nov. 25 – 87 yards rushing, 39 yards receiving and 1 TD at Nebraska
How about NOT using athletes in university promo’s? The purpose of the university is educating of 30,000 students, not entertaining the masses with athletic competitions.
The competitions are ancillary and, in reality, totally unnecessary, to that purpose.
Unfortunately athletics have become necessary. However no one wants to watch a math quiz or science test. Face it sports is one of the best way to market any school. More people sit in the stands than in the class room at almost any college intituation.
Iowa acedimcs will allways be top notch for public institutions. We have just a run of bad luck with certain players. Coaches are not paid to be baby sitters after night fall.
University athletics are NOT necessary to the purpose of educating students.
The school’s academic excellence should be the “marketing” tool used to attract student. The leading academic institutions throughout the world could give a rat’s behind about athletic skill.
That’s only true if you’re talking about school such as MIT = a specialized school without athletic programs. Iowa’s a wonderful academic school and I’m proud of it, but it’s no MIT. So yes, athletics are the best way to market the university – look how many commercials on TV alone showing the medical, astronomy and other programs. And those commercials, shown nationwide on ESPN and in many parts of the country on BTN, are just the tip of the iceberg.
MIT has athletics. So does Cal Tech. I have a nephew who was a 4 year starter in football at the original B16 dominators, the U of Chicago. Johns Hopkins has athletic competition. Ivy League ring a bell?
BTW, these schools aren’t “specialized”. They are just infinitely better at educating a student in any discipline you may chose.
Goodness, Grinnell has a much higher level of education in areas it emphasizes and is a small, liberal arts institution. Also, any student can compete in whatever athletic endeavor they choose. Nice.
Wear those blinders proudly. The universe centers around IC, I guess.
Jay:
MIT, Ivy League, etc. that have athletics and terrific academic programs don’t highlight athletes in their most of their marketing because their academic programs (And perceptions of them) are far higher level overall than most 4-year schools. Most others don’t measure up to them – hence, the use of athletes/athletics in their marketing campaigns.
John;
I agree about the media moronically going into high schools to broadcast their college choices (and many of those recruiting “experts” don’t know half as much as they think they do) – it’s absolutely unnecessary and stupid. As for college athletes not graduating at as high of rates as normal students – not so at Iowa and most Big Ten schools. In fact, at some school (nationwide) athletes outpace regular student graduation rates. So while you can always find those less-than-intelligent examples of student-athletes, most are just fine role models – if that’s what you expect/need them to be for you. Personally, I don’t need them to be role models for me, my kids, or anyone that I know. But you’re free to desire those attributes of them if you’d like.
Jay you are correct. I noticed however that anything contrary to what the University of Iowa promotes is in appropriate such as them tagging your comments . The MEDIA puts these “kids” on hero status in the press, television, and promotes them to a status that they haven’t achieved. Many can’t string two coherent sentences together without stuttering and the likes of you and I don’t count. their graduation rates in many colleges are horrible and all in all we are not demanding they behave and become true ROLE MODELS over time. They get immediate status and entitlement. We now have the MEDIA going into the high-schools and groveling at their feet asking where will you go to college and interviewing them like they are something special. Romans and Gladiators. Let the fights begin!!!!!.
You’re kidding right?
No.
I wish Coker well in the future, but I feel the Coach and the A.D. did the correct thing. Again thanks for the memories Marcus.
I am sure Coker’s situation will be a learning point for all incoming scholarship freshman, as well as others who have left college programs. If you are a student-athlete; 1) stay in class 2) stay away from downtown 3) Do not have a girlfriend 4) avoid public display
Even Coker could not see this coming I am sure, but only the two people in his apartment know exactly what happened. Unfortunate outcome for one of them. One of these kids is lacking some scruples.
Marc- you mentioned a concern for Coker after the Purdue or Nebraska games. Did you “hear” of something going on?
How come it took so long for the media to locate a police report?
Whoa, whoa, whoa, Jay Long. Being a former UI athlete, and someone who was also educated at the UI, I don’t think there is anything wrong with profiling a student athlete. The commitment and drive that are required by scholarship athletes is incredibly demanding and to infer that a student athlete like Marcus is solely displaying athletics and not also academics is very unfair. Profiling a scholarship athlete should instill drive and excitement in an incoming student and inspire them to work hard at whatever it is they do. Student profiles are there to show you the opportunities available at a large public institution, not simply to glorify university athletics.
As someone with a similar background, and I not getting in a pi$$ing contest. I understand the time, effort and discipline involved with being an athlete at the collegiate level, any division/association, any sport.
The high schooler who is swayed by, “oohhh that is where(fill in the blank) goes”, will probably flunk out. Others are drawn by the allowing of 18 year-olds in bars. They will flunk out also. I’m sure some golfer could replace the Coker in the promo. Would the effect the same? That golfer is just as good a student, puts in as much time and effort and may be a better competitor. Would you feel the same?
Why is the fabulous educator, an SUI graduate, not as highly profiled? Or the med school student? I’m positive the UIHC is a much larger revenue source than all althletics.