Iowa announced Monday that it has parted ways with Chris Doyle, the football program’s strength and conditioning coach.
Doyle had been on paid administrative leave since June 6 after a group of former football players spoke out about negative experiences they and other black players had while at Iowa and under Doyle’s supervision.
In its statement Monday, Iowa said it has hired Kansas City law firm of Husch Blackwell to “conduct an independent review of issues and allegations relating to racial disparities within the football program.”
Doyle has led Iowa’s strength and conditioning program since 1999, spanning Kirk Ferentz’s entire tenure as head coach. Doyle was the nation’s highest-paid strength coach, earning $800,000 annually.
Doyle defended himself in a statement released June 7, denying ever having “crossed the line of unethical behavior or bias based upon race.” He said, “There have been statements made about my behavior that are not true.”
Hawkeyes athletic director Gary Barta is scheduled to speak later Monday afternoon.
Information from ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg was used in this report.