Social media rumors draw response from Barta, Ferentz

Iowa athletics director Gary Barta and football coach Kirk Ferentz ended perhaps the most wicked game of online “Telephone” in state history Tuesday morning.

The duo called a news conference to squash Internet chatter of widespread drug abuse among Iowa players, upcoming arrests, multiple suspensions and coach resignations. With journalists calling players' parents to verify some of the reports, Barta and Ferentz thought the rumors were too potent to ignore.

“Initially our intent was just to release like we normally would,” Barta said. “As the day went on, we were both getting feedback there was a lot more being said out there.”

Senior wide receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos was arrested last week on multiple drug charges, which sent online message board posters scurrying to question whether he was the only player involved.

Over the weekend, sophomore running back Jewel Hampton wrote on Facebook, “Former Hawkeye!!! wats next???” By Monday, Internet rumors had as many as 11 starters and 23 players failing drug tests. One radio station “refuted” rumors from anonymous “sources” that Ferentz himself planned to resign.

“I'm not a huge fan of the social networks, but there's so much misinformation out there,” said Ferentz, Iowa's football coach since 1998. “I have no idea what's out there other than the feedback I got from maybe some parents. Seemed like it was time to address this.”

The rumor mill took root on social media websites like Twitter and fan message boards like HawkeyeReport.com, which had more than 1 million pageviews Monday.

“Basically the only days we reach that number is when we have drama on national signing day,” said Tom Kakert, HawkeyeReport.com publisher.

The social media buzz didn't wane Tuesday morning, either. A live chat on www.TheGazette.com during the 45-minute news conference generated 13,118 reader comments, a website record.

Monday night Ferentz issued a news release announcing Hampton will transfer at semester and the team's leading rusher, sophomore Adam Robinson, was suspended for the upcoming bowl game for “not complying” with team policies. But to many online posters, the release indicated more suspensions were forthcoming.

Iowa associate athletics director Fred Mims acknowledged a news conference gave the appearance of giving in to innuendo. But he said the department couldn't allow the rumors to persist.

“We have to gauge if it's important enough to sit before you and give you a chance to ask questions,” Mims said. “So hopefully (reporters) can put the right spin on what's happening or do we just sit back and let it keep running amok?

“It's all over the waves. It's on the ticket on ESPN and all of those things. So we want you to have as much information as we can share with you about the circumstance and hopefully you can report what is actually happening instead of listening to the rumors.”

Iowa athletics director Gary Barta and football coach Kirk Ferentz ended perhaps the most wicked game of online “Telephone” in state history Tuesday morning.

The duo called a news conference to squash Internet chatter of widespread drug abuse among Iowa players, upcoming arrests, multiple suspensions and coach resignations. With journalists calling players' parents to verify some of the reports, Barta and Ferentz thought the rumors were too potent to ignore.

“Initially our intent was just to release like we normally would,” Barta said. “As the day went on, we were both getting feedback there was a lot more being said out there.”

Senior wide receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos was arrested last week on multiple drug charges, which sent online message board posters scurrying to question whether he was the only player involved.

Over the weekend, sophomore running back Jewel Hampton wrote on Facebook, “Former Hawkeye!!! wats next???” By Monday, Internet rumors had as many as 11 starters and 23 players failing drug tests. One radio station “refuted” rumors from anonymous “sources” that Ferentz himself planned to resign.

“I'm not a huge fan of the social networks, but there's so much misinformation out there,” said Ferentz, Iowa's football coach since 1998. “I have no idea what's out there other than the feedback I got from maybe some parents. Seemed like it was time to address this.”

The rumor mill took root on social media websites like Twitter and fan message boards like HawkeyeReport.com, which had more than 1 million pageviews Monday.

“Basically the only days we reach that number is when we have drama on national signing day,” said Tom Kakert, HawkeyeReport.com publisher.

The social media buzz didn't wane Tuesday morning, either. A live chat on www.TheGazette.com during the 45-minute news conference generated 13,118 reader comments, a website record.

Monday night Ferentz issued a news release announcing Hampton will transfer at semester and the team's leading rusher, sophomore Adam Robinson, was suspended for the upcoming bowl game for “not complying” with team policies. But to many online posters, the release indicated more suspensions were forthcoming.

Iowa associate athletics director Fred Mims acknowledged a news conference gave the appearance of giving in to innuendo. But he said the department couldn't allow the rumors to persist.

“We have to gauge if it's important enough to sit before you and give you a chance to ask questions,” Mims said. “So hopefully (reporters) can put the right spin on what's happening or do we just sit back and let it keep running amok?

“It's all over the waves. It's on the ticket on ESPN and all of those things. So we want you to have as much information as we can share with you about the circumstance and hopefully you can report what is actually happening instead of listening to the rumors.”