Ferentz on Lickliter: ‘I’m a fan’

In December, Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz urged patience for then-men's basketball coach Todd Lickliter.

Wednesday, in his first public appearance since Lickliter was fired March 15 by Athletics Director Gary Barta, Ferentz said he hopes to remain a friend of Lickliter's.

“I don't know if surprised is the right word,” Ferentz said. “I think there has been enough written about everything, and I'm sure more has been talked about, but I guess my only comment is I enjoyed our friendship and I hope it continues. I just think Todd's an excellent coach.

“Things didn't work out the way anybody wanted to, I think everyone would be in agreement on that. But I would also say that here's a guy who's coached in a couple Sweet 16s.

“I'm hopeful that he gets another opportunity. I just hope it works out great for him. I'm a fan.”

21-older sounds good

Iowa football's off-field legal issues have narrowed to a trickle, but the idea of a 21-and-older bar law in Iowa City still sounds like a good idea to Ferentz. He's also realistic, though. He knows it won't be a cure-all.

“I'm in favor of it, but that being said, no matter what we do we can try to curtail, we can try to be proactive and educate, but drinking is going to be an issue on every college campus in America,” Ferentz said.

He gave a point of reference when he and a daughter visited Penn State a few years ago. You need to be 21 to enter a bar in Pennsylvania.

“We went downtown and I looked out at an apartment building,” he said. “The bar scene might've been a little slow, but the apartment I was looking at was rocking. So it's hard to slow things down. ... It's not going to be the ultimate cure.”

Tuesday night, the Iowa City Council approved the first of three readings of an ordinance banning those younger than 21 from being in bars after 10 p.m.

Quick slants

Linebacker Lance Tillison is back on the team. He left after the 2008 season, unhappy with playing time. He will have one year of eligibility remaining. The 6-2, 215-pounder is not on scholarship, Ferentz said.

Defensive end Adrian Clayborn faces minimal punishment after pleading guilty to disorderly conduct March 4. He won't be suspended, Ferentz said.

“Nothing major,” Ferentz said. “Some, but nothing major. It ended up panning out like I thought it might based on what I knew.”

Clayborn, 21, was charged with assault causing bodily injury after he allegedly punched a cabdriver who honked at him in January 2009. By pleading guilty to the lesser charge of disorderly conduct, which covers fighting or violent behavior, Clayborn faces a $100 fine.