Iowa RB Marcus Coker: Adam Robinson 'deserves a second chance'

IOWA CITY - Adam Robinson remains on scholarship at the University of Iowa, but he's no longer a member of the football team.

His protege, incoming sophomore running back Marcus Coker, would like to see Robinson's status change.

Robinson, a junior this fall, was dismissed from the football team after he was charged with marijuana possession the night before Iowa's Insight Bowl appearance against Missouri. Robinson, who later pleaded guilty, was suspended from the team before the arrest for violating team rules and did not accompany the team to the Phoenix area.

"I think he deserves a second chance," said Coker, who rushed for a season-best 219 yards on 33 carries against Missouri as Robinson's replacement. "I don't know (if Robinson will come back). That's not my decision. I would welcome him back with open arms."

When asked if his teammates shared his point of view, Coker said, "I can't speak for them, I can just speak for myself.

"He had one slip up. That's it."

Robinson rushed for 941 yards and 10 touchdowns in 10 games last year, team highs in both categories. Coker finished with 622 yards in seven games.

Two weeks ago Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz said he has not talked to Robinson since his dismissal.

"We're supporting him academically right now," Ferentz said. "My goal is for him to get his degree."

When asked him Robinson has a chance to rejoin the team Ferentz said, "I really haven't given that much thought.  I've been kind of focused on the guys that were with us in Arizona."

Coker said he still talks to Robinson and just saw last weekend. Coker said he has no problem dueling with Robinson for playing time  the starting running back job should return to the team.

"You've got to compete against the best to be the best," Coker said. "If he's better than me, he's better than me. But I'm going to work every day as hard as he is or harder to try to be better than he is.

"He wa a great teammate. He always helped me out and pushed me in practice because he would go 150 percent."I try not because it becomes overwhelming. I keep it as a day-by-day thing."