On the subject of taking chances on kids of questionable charactor.....
The Pierre Pierce thing took an enormous toll on this program and we are still feeling it today. When Pierce came here, there were no questions about his charactor, he was a good solid recruit and there were no warning signs. I have no problem with him being granted a schollorship to play here.
When Pierce came back....,we took a chance we should not have and it cost us dearly.
Kirk Ferentz did not take simular chanes with the City Boyz INC. He swiftly punished everyone who gave his team a black eye in a mannor that seemed pretty consistent with their crimes. His program was nearly flushed because of charactor issues. Who remembers the pain, embarrasment and uncertaintly of those 18 or so months?
Look things are going to happen. Good kids are going to come in here and make mistakes and get into trouble and there is no way we can identify every possible issue. But to think that charactor issues from the past shouldnt be looked at long and hard and even be cause to pass on some great talent is silly.
Ignoring history is one of the dumbest things you can do in life.