Iowa will begin looking into the troubling allegations about the program brought forth by a bevy of former players.

In a statement, longtime Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz said that criticisms — which have predominantly come from black players — have been “difficult and heartbreaking” to read. 

“There are too many racial disparities in the Iowa football program,” wrote former Iowa and current Chicago Bears offensive lineman James Daniels. “Black players have been treated unfairly for far too long.”

Ferentz said what happens next is “a defining moment for the Iowa Hawkeye football program.”

“Over the past 24 hours I have seen some difficult and heartbreaking posts on social media,” Ferentz said. “I appreciate the former players’ candor and have been reaching out to many of them individually to hear more about their experiences in our program. I am planning on talking to all of them in the coming days. This is a process that will take some time, but change begins by listening first.”

Many of the comments from former players centered on negative — and sometimes racially charged — experiences in Iowa’s strength program, led by coach Chris Doyle. 

Doyle, who has been at Iowa as long as Ferentz has been head coach (since 1999), has been placed on administrative leave effective immediately. Ferentz said the school will conduct an “independent review” into his alleged conduct. Doyle, who makes $800,000 per year, is the highest-paid strength coach in the country. While Doyle is on leave, assistant strength coach Raimond Braithwaite will lead the strength program.

“I have spoken with [Doyle] about the allegations posted on social media. They are troubling and have created a lasting impact on those players,” Ferentz said. “He and I agree that all parties will have their voices heard and then a decision about how to move forward will be made.”

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Additionally, Ferentz said he will create an advisory committee made up of current and former players, as well as department staff, to help steer the program forward from a culture perspective. 

“This will be a diverse group that will be able to share without judgement so we can all examine where we are today and how we can have a better environment tomorrow,” Ferentz said. 

In their social media posts, many of the players said they felt like they could not be themselves inside the walls of the Iowa football facility. Ferentz says he wants to change that. 

“In our program there are high standards and accountability — we have a good team of players, coaches and staff members. But it is clear we can do more to create a welcoming and respectful environment where every player can grow, develop and become the best version of himself,” Ferentz said. 

Ferentz later added that the changes in the program “begin with me.”

Iowa athletic director Gary Barta said the revelations brought out by the former players have left him “concerned.”

“It is important that we reach out and listen to both current and former players. We must be willing to improve and change,” Barta said. 

Iowa established a diversity task force back in 2018 to address graduation rates among African American male student-athletes at the school. Barta said the athletic department has made positive strides, but it’s clear that “there is more to do.”

“As part of the process, the task force interviewed current and former student-athletes to better understand our department’s climate towards diversity and the experiences of student-athletes. It was evident at that time we needed to improve as a department. While we have taken several steps to address these issues, there is more to do,” Barta said. 

“Ultimately, our success will be defined by our actions. Our greatest victory won’t be found on a box score but a willingness to speak out against racism, and to make sure every student-athlete, coach, and staff member feel safe, supported and that they have a voice that is empowered.”

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The death of George Floyd in Minnesota on Monday has compelled many to speak out against social injustice and police brutality.

As protests were taking place across the country, Friday night two prominent Sixers figures took to social media to convey messages.

The team’s current point guard, Ben Simmons, put out a short statement on Twitter.

Witnessing the news the past few weeks & hearing the outcry has given me a lot to think about. It is time for everyone, from all walks of life, to get comfortable with voicing & calling out the uncomfortable subject of Blatant Racism that exists heavily within our society.

— Ben Simmons (@BenSimmons25) May 30, 2020

pic.twitter.com/bA7jZV3OY6

— Ben Simmons (@BenSimmons25) May 30, 2020

Hall of Famer Allen Iverson’s message was shorter but no less powerful.

Damn, I thought this was our country too???!!! #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd #IStandTallWithYou @_stak5_ #IveHadEnough pic.twitter.com/0fd8ugqVDB

— Allen Iverson (@alleniverson) May 30, 2020

Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, was killed after Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck while Floyd was handcuffed. The incident was caught on video by a witness. Chauvin was arrested Friday afternoon and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. All four officers that were on the scene were fired.

Former NBA player Stephen Jackson, who knew Floyd personally while growing up in Texas, spoke as part of the protests in Minneapolis.

“To my white brothers, I love you. Every race here, I love you. But it comes to a point now, where if you love me and you not standing on the side of me, then your love don’t mean shit.” -Stephen Jackson pic.twitter.com/a0ZZe3fXMN

— Logan Murdock (@loganmmurdock) May 29, 2020

Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns, a little over a month after losing his mother Jacqueline to COVID-19, also stood in solidarity with Jackson.

A ridiculously powerful image of Karl-Anthony Towns, who is still out there showing support for George Floyd despite recently losing his mother to COVID-19. He has proven to be a leader in his community and should be applauded for his tenacity and resilience. Salute, @KarlTowns. https://t.co/mvAMxglyft

— Bryan Kalbrosky (@BryanKalbrosky) May 29, 2020

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After a beating at an October house party that left an underclassman unconscious, four football players who were allegedly involved were allowed to play in the state football tournament. The game happened in early November, shortly after police had opened the investigation but before the students were charged.

RELATED: Bullying Task Force Formed After Assault of Student Athlete

Since that game, the Blue Earth community has been divided as the four athletes were slapped with felony charges, leaving police, parents and the school district scrambling to figure out what went wrong.

“The boys have lawyers, which leaves them unable to tell their side of the story and leaves them extremely vulnerable,” said Dalton Nagel’s mother at Monday night’s Blue Earth Area School Board meeting. Nagel is one of the 18-year-olds charged for his role in the beating.

“We felt that it put a huge target on his back,” said Naomi Ochsendorf, of her minor son who also faces felony charges stemming from the incident.

She told the school board that she has now pulled her kids out of the district.

Ochsendorf’s sophomore son, as well as another minor, and 18-year-olds Dalton Nagel and Wyatt Tungland all face felony charges for their alleged involvement in the beating of a fellow football player at an October house party.

“What does this have to do with football? It didn’t happen on the football field,” said John Schavey, at whose house the assault occurred. Students and parents have reported seeing a video of the incident circulating at school.

RELATED: Parents Push School Board for Answers, Action Following Assault on Blue Earth Student

The victim’s family wasn’t at Monday night’s meeting, but his father, Dale Hurley, told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS, “These kids beat my son and showed him the video of them beating him in the locker room at school.”

It’s the same video Winnebago police asked the community to turn over at the start of the investigation, but it’s unclear if that has happened.

“Dalton has denied involvement in this incident since the first round of interviews that were done at the school,” said Nagel’s mother in defense of her son.

District officials say they can’t comment on the ongoing criminal case, but they have said they are working to change the school climate. That starts with a bullying task force that meets every six weeks.

The four students facing charges were also suspended for 10 days and are currently not allowed to participate in extracurricular activities. 

RELATED: 2 Blue Earth Area Football Players Plead Not Guilty to Assaulting Fellow Student Athlete

“I am very displeased with the fact that my son and three other boys involved in an incident outside of school and off school property have been attached to this whole bullying task force that was created at the school,” Dalton Nagel’s mother said. “These boys have not been proven guilty of anything in a court of law. Why are they being proven guilty at the school?”

This criminal case continues to move through the court system. The school district conducted its own investigation, which is now closed. 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS is working to learn what the investigation entailed and what resulted.