Iowa Hawkeyes football strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle released a statement late Sunday afternoon about allegations of racially charged behavior.
Doyle has been accused by several former players of making racially insensitive remarks over the years, and he’s since been placed on administrative leave.
This is a defining moment for the Iowa Hawkeye Football program: pic.twitter.com/ckEH39QVki
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) June 6, 2020
However, he said he’s an innocent man and doesn’t believe any of the allegations are true. In his statement posted to Twitter, he told fans in part, “At no time have I ever crossed the line of unethical behavior or bias based upon race. I do not make racist comments and I don’t tolerate people who do.”
You can read his full statement below.
— Chris Doyle (@coach_Doyle) June 7, 2020
This is going to get really ugly, and that’s now obvious at this point in time. It’s not a single allegation Doyle is facing.
He’s facing many of them, and he more or less just said they’re all untrue. Both sides are going to likely dig in at all costs.
Time for the truth: pic.twitter.com/aBeVbtfvc4
— Terrance Pryor (@Tpryor51) June 6, 2020
Thank you James!! I remember when I used to wear my tank tops in the facility, I used to get called in the coaches office because I had too much tattoos and it wasn’t the “Iowa culture” or the “Iowa Way”. https://t.co/gYMtSDTMKR
— HaitianQ (@__haitianprince) June 6, 2020
Just got his from a former Iowa football player who is white. Walking on egg shells is becoming a theme. pic.twitter.com/RTKx3tEEgi
— Tyler Devine (@devine_tyler) June 6, 2020
Iowa players are sharing stories about racially charged treatment they received from strength coach Chris Doyle. Doyle is the highest paid strength coach in the country. https://t.co/KtVwvlwH9o
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) June 6, 2020
Ultimately, I’m not even sure how you can prove what did or didn’t happen. It’s not like any of these alleged comments about the way players dressed, tattoos and such are on tape.
Head coach Kirk Ferentz said there’ll be an independent investigation, and I guess Iowa fans will just have to wait and see.
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) June 6, 2020
Keep checking back for more updates on this situation when we have them!