On the Willies Front

Well regardless of what order these events are taking place in I think it's safe to assume Willies and Ferentz will be having a chat at some point to discuss his return to the team. We can argue the semantics of it all we want, but that doesn't really do any good. So here's where I stand:

1. Ferentz is an idiot if he doesn't let him back. Maybe the kid made a mistake, but he seems like he realizes it and he has the right mindset in order to "work his way back". In football terms... Iowa needs guys like Willies now and in the future. He's likely learned a lesson. Now let him earn his way back.

2. As long as Ferentz takes him back I won't judge how he decides to handle him. Maybe he'll make him sit out a game or two. Maybe he'll make him sit the rest of the season because he left his team at a crucial point. Maybe he'll leave it up to the team to decide. Whatever they decide is fine by me as long as he lets him back.

I'd be shocked if he wasn't allowed back and he should be.

As for playing this year, even if Kirk wanted to reinstate him immediately he hasn't practiced in a month and it's hard to say what kind of shape he's in at the moment.
 
Kf is an absolute fool if he does not let him come back. The kid has done nothing wrong and only left the team because if his ailing father. You cant blame the kid. I bet his father talked him into coming back and not giving up. Kirk dont tick the fanbase off more than it already is!

You may be right but you are assuming you know everything that has been done and said and I doubt that's the case. If he did leave over playing time as some on here have led us to belive, that is kinda shakey considering he plays behind Smith our best WR.
 
Are we (again) seeing a collision of old-fashioned notions of communicating -- ie, knock on the door or pick up the phone and speak privately with the coach -- and mediums more familiar to young people (social media, online, speaking with reporters)?

it looks to me like word got out that Willies wants to get back on the team, a reporter for an online site called and asked him about it, he confirmed he WANTS to return to the team, and now we're all putting him back in uniform before he's had a chance to talk to the staff.

Either way, we all look foolish fussing over the thought process of a 19- year-old.

The first two paragraphs were my thoughts exactly. I think the word got out before Kirk was made aware of it. In reference to the last paragraph, I don't agree. This is exactly the kind of stuff that is talked about on forums like this. I was upset when he decided to leave the team, but it sounds like his father was a genuine concern for him. I remember being a college athlete about 10 years ago and I had a similar issue that made me transfer and I never ended up playing competitively again and I regret not being able to continue playing, but it was for a good reason and I wouldn't be where I am today if I hadn't left. I would welcome him back and if he comes back I look forward to watching him play because he has a ton of natural talent.
 
Well, I'm going to presume there's a lot more to the story.
Remember how fans thought DJK was 'mis-treated' by the good Captain.
Yeah, well......just sayin.

That being said, myself, as a Hawkeye fan and knowing what
I was like at 18-19, I'd certainly welcome Derrick back and make him commit to doin things right

Obligatory jerk comment in threads like these. You're the first one to bring DJK into this.
 
???

So you think nobody deserves a second chance?

He can earn a second chance, and I am sure that is what will happen. He will be given the chance to earn it. Not now, in the final weeks of the season.

To assume that he will not be given that based on two lines from a press conference is typical of this place. That is what your post inferred.
 
Was going to post something similar. Kirk does not abide mid-season distractions and with all the fan criticism and social media speculation of Willies being the first of mass defections he likely isn't interested in dealing with this now. He also doesn't tolerate players going to the media outside of approved channels. Can't really blame him.

I'd say Willies is out for this year, including the bowl game. Whether he's allowed back for next year would depend on a sit-down with Derrick and perhaps a vote by the team.

There is only 1 vote in the Iowa football program that matters and is counted. I'm not holding my breath on this one. Like most other things Iowa football, on or off the field, I expect this process will most likely be traveled on the most difficult path possible. Hopefully when this process ends Ferentz will still want DW on the team and DW will still want to be here.
 
Lot of pressure on these young kids without any distractions from their personal life. What they do as D1 football players cannot be easy. I'm not going to judge. DW seems like has has had a lot to deal with in addition to school and football.

I would hope that if he is on good terms with the football coaches that they entertain a method for him to return. In my opinion a door should only be closed if all the bridges have been burned. Similar to what DJK did at the very end.
 
He can earn a second chance, and I am sure that is what will happen. He will be given the chance to earn it. Not now, in the final weeks of the season.

To assume that he will not be given that based on two lines from a press conference is typical of this place. That is what your post inferred.

Fair enough, but my post was also somewhat directed at certain comments I've seen in this thread that seem to be judging Willies overly harshly (IMO). Not just KF.

But I hope you're right and that Willies can earn his way back into the program, because I'm sure Iowa could use him.
 
Ferentz's own son was arrested TWICE in his first 12 months on campus and ol' Kirt never batted an eye about keeping him on the team. The only thing Willies is guilty of is having more athletic talent than the Ferentz sons combined.
 
Ferentz's own son was arrested TWICE in his first 12 months on campus and ol' Kirt never batted an eye about keeping him on the team. The only thing Willies is guilty of is having more athletic talent than the Ferentz sons combined.

Even more reason to me that Ferentz should welcome him back but not until next year. However, if he takes him back no questions asked he sets a precedent that any unhappy kid can throw a tantrum, ask for a transfer, leave and then change his mind and come back. (I'm not suggesting that was the case with Willies). I would sure like to see him back though.
 
I don't think anybody knows what happened to get us to this point, but here we are. I hope just from having a very talented WR on the team, that this all works out. I do trust that KF will make the decision he needs to make. I don't think the full story will ever become available to someone like me, so all I can do is trust the coach in this situation.
 
Willie's, if it is his desire, will be back on the team. KF is a strong mentor, and assuming the circumstances of his family were the main reason for DW departure (and maybe, even if it were not), KF will do the right thing. He may even be back in pads by the weekend, or maybe it will be after the season, depending on the circumstances and conversations that have taken place. Does DW deserve to be on the bowl traveling squad, perhaps the B1G CG team, or is there a stronger reason to make him sit until spring? The decision will not be made because we "need" him, or his teammates want or don't want him; the decision, if it even comes to be, will hedge on the circumstances and the remorse and conviction of DW.

It does shed light on a further problem, that there are public quotes by teammates (including CJB) about playing time, locker room chemistry etc. That too may dictate playing time if any for DW (doubtful he would get any, but not ruled out), but certainly it appears more clear that it possibly may have contributed to PT (or lack thereof) for CJ. Sometimes at this level, good or bad, it is about just more than X's and O's.
 
Here is what will happen: (1) KF will not really address the issue until the end of the regular season; and, well he should not...distractions now are a negative (2) Ultimately, assuming the kid is telling the truth about his dad, KF will allow him back on the team (3) in the past, KF has talked about what a great kid DW is...don't forget that! (4) assuming that he is not having serious academic problems (I don't think he is, from reports on the internet), that will play in his favor (5) DW will have to earn his way back (6) this will NOT be about DW's value as a wide receiver; it will be about the fact that KF see's himself as a father figure and cares deeply about the kids he brings into Hawkeye Land...So, DW will be back on the team: If he is not allowed back, we won't ever know why, but there will have been a darn good reason.
 
Willie's, if it is his desire, will be back on the team. KF is a strong mentor, and assuming the circumstances of his family were the main reason for DW departure (and maybe, even if it were not), KF will do the right thing. He may even be back in pads by the weekend, or maybe it will be after the season, depending on the circumstances and conversations that have taken place. Does DW deserve to be on the bowl traveling squad, perhaps the B1G CG team, or is there a stronger reason to make him sit until spring? The decision will not be made because we "need" him, or his teammates want or don't want him; the decision, if it even comes to be, will hedge on the circumstances and the remorse and conviction of DW.

It does shed light on a further problem, that there are public quotes by teammates (including CJB) about playing time, locker room chemistry etc. That too may dictate playing time if any for DW (doubtful he would get any, but not ruled out), but certainly it appears more clear that it possibly may have contributed to PT (or lack thereof) for CJ. Sometimes at this level, good or bad, it is about just more than X's and O's.

This is the only quote that REALLY needs to be read in this thread. Colorado nails it...and, NO sarcasm here...way to go CH!
 
Here is what will happen: (1) KF will not really address the issue until the end of the regular season; and, well he should not...distractions now are a negative (2) Ultimately, assuming the kid is telling the truth about his dad, KF will allow him back on the team (3) in the past, KF has talked about what a great kid DW is...don't forget that! (4) assuming that he is not having serious academic problems (I don't think he is, from reports on the internet), that will play in his favor (5) DW will have to earn his way back (6) this will NOT be about DW's value as a wide receiver; it will be about the fact that KF see's himself as a father figure and cares deeply about the kids he brings into Hawkeye Land...So, DW will be back on the team: If he is not allowed back, we won't ever know why, but there will have been a darn good reason.

...(3)" in the past, KF has talked about what a great kid DW is"

KF spoke glowing of DW. I think he really does like the kid, and will let him come back, but we won't see him until spring, and no way he'll let him travel to the bowl game unless KF is 100% convinced he left for family reasons only.
 
As we all know Ferentz is predictable right? Well there is already kind of a history of this happening at Iowa. A few years ago we had a LB actually transfer. Only to end up coming back and actually get some pt, can't remember his name, but basically he said the same thing. That he missed the family at Iowa. Perhaps DW should not have answered those questions, but as long as the kid has been honest and forthright, even if a pain in the a$$ then I believe he will be back. However he won't be talking to the media. A thumbs up to anybody that can post the kids name I am referencing I think he was a senior in our4-8 campaign.
 

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