ESPN College Football

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Reporters and fans aren't the only ones who struggle to squeeze information out of Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz.

Ferentz's son, James, a senior center for the Hawkeyes, didn't fare much better this past winter.

When Iowa announced in early February that offensive line coach Reese Morgan would move to the defensive line, speculation immediately increased that Brian Ferentz, Kirk's oldest son and James' big brother, would return to his alma mater and coach the offensive front. James Ferentz heard the rumors, too. So he did some recon.

"I was trying to squeeze some information out of my mom, but she wasn't talking," James told ESPN.com. "Obviously, neither was my dad. He wasn't going to crack at all, so I knew my best chance was going to my mom. And when she wasn't talking, I knew I wasn't going to get any information."

James didn't discuss the situation with Brian, not wanting to put his brother "in an awkward position." But when their mother, Mary, clammed up about the situation, James knew there was a decent chance his brother would be leaving his post with the New England Patriots to return to Iowa City.

James ended up getting the scoop, but only a day before Kirk informed the rest of the team.

"I was really excited to finally hear the news," James said. "It's going to be good for Iowa football and selfishly good for me."

It's not unusual to see FBS coaches having their sons on the roster. Ferentz has coached his two oldest sons and his youngest, Steven, might walk on at Iowa.

There are also examples of coaches hiring their sons as assistants, like Frank and Shane Beamer at Virginia Tech or Steve Spurrier Sr. and Steve Spurrier Jr. at South Carolina.

But for a head coach to have one son on staff and another on the roster -- and to have the older son directly coaching his younger brother -- is unique. Brian played guard and center for the Hawkeyes. Kirk coached Iowa's offensive line from 1981-89.

"It's been great on two fronts," Kirk Ferentz told ESPN.com. "On a personal level, it's been interesting and neat, not something I ever envisioned happening. So that worked out beautifully. But more importantly, he's doing a competent job, and that's what we brought him here for, to do a good job coaching the line.

"He's off to a great start."

Brian's hiring has been scrutinized because of his relationship to his boss. The University of Iowa has a policy against nepotism that states familial relationships should be avoided whenever possible during the hiring process. According to documents obtained by the Associated Press, Iowa considered more than 100 candidates for two assistant positions before hiring Brian Ferentz and promoting LeVar Woods to linebackers coach.

From the AP report:

Athletic director Gary Barta has said it was his decision to hire Brian Ferentz, he will act as his supervisor and that Kirk Ferentz recused himself from the interview process. The claim was undercut earlier this month when Brian Ferentz said he had spoken about the job with his dad and took it because "you can't say no to your father."

The documents released Friday do not mention the relationship between Ferentz and his son, or any special steps taken during the hiring process. In fact, they show Kirk Ferentz was a member of the search committee for both positions along with other assistants and athletic department officials. A department spokesman had no immediate comment Friday, and university spokesman Tom Moore said the school had "followed its policies throughout this process."

Asked about the response, Kirk Ferentz said, "Not surprised, especially in Iowa, you kidding me? Anything that happens, you have to consider it to be news."

Ferentz noted how Iowa wrestling coach Tom Brands hired his twin brother, Terry, as associate head coach.

"That was a pretty good thing for the wrestling program," he said. "I wouldn't have brought Brian back here if I didn't think it would be a good thing for our program. That was the first priority."

James hasn't struggled to view Brian as a coach, first and foremost. He has been impressed by Brian's knowledge and his ability to connect with each offensive lineman.

"I don't if he's harder on me than most guys," James said, smiling. "He's probably a little quicker to point out my mistakes, but I make plenty of them, so I leave the door open a lot."

Iowa is young up front. While Ferentz has started the past 26 games at center, left guard Matt Tobin is the only other lineman with significant starting experience.

Ferentz sees the need for the line to prove itself and come together. He's excited to do so with his older brother and father calling the shots.

"If you can't appreciate the uniqueness and the incredible opportunity," he said, "I think I'd be missing out on a lot. I'm really fortunate to be in this position."

Every Big Ten administrator who has commented on the league's four-team playoff proposal also has made sure to acknowledge the Rose Bowl in the same breath.

"The Rose Bowl is extremely important to Michigan State just as it is to every school in the Big Ten and Pac-12," Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis told the Associated Press.

"Any talk of a limited playoff needs to keep the tradition of the Rose Bowl and the bowl system in play," Iowa AD Gary Barta wrote to the Des Moines Register in an email.

"My concern -- first and foremost -- is maintaining our relationship with the Rose Bowl," Wisconsin AD Barry Alvarez wrote in his monthly letter to fans.

Perhaps there's some little-known Big Ten bylaw requiring league officials and administrators to pay homage to the Rose Bowl whenever discussing the future of college football. Commissioner Jim Delany always makes a point to acknowledge the Rose Bowl as the league's most important external relationship.

Kevin Ash, the Rose Bowl's chief administrative officer, enjoys hearing this from one of the game's conference partners. He hopes the pledges continue, as the Rose Bowl needs both the Big Ten and Pac-12 to be in its corner.

One of the big questions with any playoff model is how it would impact the current bowls, including the Rose. Would the Rose Bowl remain a premier sporting event on New Year's Day, or would the game start seeing drops in attendance and ratings like some of the other major bowls?

The Big Ten plan would remove the top four teams from the BCS bowl pool and have semifinal games played on the college campus of the higher seed. The championship game then could be bid out, like the Super Bowl.

The Rose Bowl's fate largely rests with Delany and his Pac-12 counterpart Larry Scott.

"We rely on them heavily to lead on our behalf, because we don't sit at the table with them," Ash told ESPN.com on Thursday. "We're not an active party. We know they have our best interest at heart, and we're a huge part of who they are in the postseason."

Like many, Ash senses the momentum building toward a college football playoff. He understands that the next BCS cycle, beginning in 2014, could bring changes for the Rose Bowl.

"It's going to be interesting to see some of the proposals," he said. "There could be variations that could be OK for the Rose Bowl game. If the commissioners feel we need to move in a different direction, which is best for college football, we've got to be a part of that."

The desire to maintain the traditional Big Ten-Pac-12 Rose Bowl matchup has been viewed as one of the primary impediments to a college football playoff.

Like the Big Ten and, to a lesser extent, the Pac-12, the Rose Bowl has been viewed as an obstruction to a college football playoff. Although the game has loosened its access rules and has had teams from other leagues, most recently TCU in the 2011 game, the desire always has been to have the Big Ten champion face the Pac-12 champion on Jan. 1 in Pasadena, Calif.

Any type of playoff format would decrease the likelihood of having both league champions in the game.

"Whatever system they decide to put forward, we will deal with the access issue as it applies to us, and we will embrace any visitor that comes to our game," Ash said. "But each year, we hope to have a Pac-12 and Big Ten champion playing for the Rose Bowl championship. Simple as that. Does it hurt us to have other teams in here? No. But we're traditionalists. It's a part of who we are."

Some see the Rose Bowl's traditionalist nature as being inflexible. The Big Ten, and, to a lesser extent, the Pac-12, have been viewed this way as well.

Ash said it's not the case.

"Since the BCS, we've learned to evolve, and we still have our tradition," Ash said. "Tradition is a two-sided sword. If you sit on tradition, then you can get left behind, but if you are careful about how you move forward, then you can keep that tradition going. There's possibilities out there, models that can be successful for us. We've got to see what plays out."

And follow Delany's and Scott's lead.

"They're very, very intelligent guys, and their leadership is amazing," Ash said. "We need to evolve in order to stay relevant. I think those are the guys who can take us there.

"They're going to protect us as best they can."

As expected, more Big Ten figures -- past and present -- have weighed in on the passing of former Penn State coach Joe Paterno on Sunday morning at 85.

Here are some additional statements:

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz

"It is certainly a very, very sad day. The passing of Coach Paterno is a huge loss; there will never be another Joe Paterno. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Paterno family."

Iowa athletic director Gary Barta

"Joe Paterno has meant so much to college athletics over such a long period of time. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his immediate family first and foremost, and then, certainly, to the extended Penn State family."

Former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of Coach Paterno. I will remember him with respect and admiration. I will remember his competitive spirit, his incredible generosity, his honesty, his integrity and his humanity."

Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini

"My condolences go out to Coach Paterno’s family and the Penn State community. I have so much respect for what Coach Paterno accomplished at Penn State both on and off the field. He wasn’t just a legendary coach, but a class individual and his record speaks for itself. I had the honor of getting a few chances to spend time with him since we joined the Big Ten, and those were special opportunities for me as a relatively young head coach in this profession."

In addition, National Football Foundation chairman Archie Manning and NFF President & CEO Steven Hatchell issued a joint statement on Paterno's passing. Paterno is a 2007 inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame.

It reads:

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Coach Paterno. He stands at the very top of the mountain in terms of his coaching accomplishments, and his dedication to the education of his players set the standard for entire college football world. On multiple occasions, the National Football Foundation saluted his never-ending passion and commitment to the game. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Sue, his family, and the entire Penn State community."

All 13 Iowa players stricken with rhabdomyolysis have been released from the hospital, but their return to winter training hinges on blood tests they'll take in the coming days and weeks.

Colleague Joe Schad reports that players will have blood tests every two or three days to check kidney function and whether muscle breakdown material remains in the system. A source tells Schad that all 13 players previously tested well outside the normal range, which isn't surprising given their condition.

Some additional information:

The players' families have met with Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz and athletic director Gary Barta, the source said. The meetings involved questions about for how long the intense workouts had been planned, whether players' access to water was restricted and if players who missed a team-provided meal were told to run.

At least two of the players who were hospitalized had received workout awards from the team's strength staff in the past. A key returning starter was among the hospitalized, the source said. ...

Several of the players' families have been contacted by attorneys interested in filing negligence suits, the source said.

I hope for two things in the Iowa case. The first is obvious: for the players to fully recover and return to normal team activities. From what we heard last week from Dr. John Stokes and other medical experts, most people who have rhabdomyolysis are able to fully recover.

The second thing is trickier. I want Ferentz, Barta and other Iowa officials to get to the bottom of what happened during those workouts. Only the players and the strength coaches know, but players are loyal and don't want to say things that could come back to hurt their well-respected coaches. No one wants to be labeled a rat or a soft football player.

Perhaps these workouts were standard and had been done countless times before without any players ending up in the hospital.

But if the strength coaches went too far with their demands, will the players speak up about it?

Great news out of Iowa City on Sunday night, as officials announced that all 13 football players stricken with rhabdomyolysis have been released from the hospital.

Coach Kirk Ferentz announced Friday that five players were being released. Six more were discharged Saturday and the final two on Sunday. The university last week announced an investigation into what led to the series of hospitalizations.

Here's Ferentz's statement issued Sunday:

"Getting all 13 student-athletes healthy and out of the hospital has been priority number one all along, so I'm very happy that they all are now back home and resuming their lives. These young men and their families have been through a difficult and trying time. They are under my supervision and watch, and I am truly sorry for what they've experienced. They trained extremely hard and ended up in the hospital, and there is no indication they did anything wrong. So I'm pleased they are progressing well and I look forward to seeing all of them being back to normal.

"Now that these students are out of the hospital and on the road to recovery, we can devote our full attention to determining what happened, and making sure it does not happen again. There has been a lot of speculation by those who don't have the facts and it is unfair and inappropriate for anyone to make wild guesses about what happened."

Athletic director Gary Barta echoed Ferentz about getting to the bottom of what happened and also cautioned against rushing to judgment.

"We now can focus exclusively on discovering the root cause of this situation, and I'm anxious to work with president [Sally] Mason's group to this end," Barta's statement reads. "We will review every aspect of the workouts and talk with everyone involved. The staff and coaches who work with these young men are highly respected professionals who are dedicated and care deeply about our student-athletes. I hope those who follow our program will respect this process moving forward and refrain from any further unproductive rush to judgment."

It's good to hear Ferentz absolving the players in his statement, while it's noteworthy what Barta says about the strength and conditioning staff who oversaw the training sessions.

The big questions trace back to the series of workouts that began Jan. 20. Was the intensity and the structure of these sessions standard for the start of winter training, or were things cranked up to an excessive level? Only the strength coaches and the players know the answer.

Make no mistake: Strength coach Chris Doyle and his staff have been integral to Iowa's success in Ferentz's tenure. They have a proven conditioning program that works masterfully. Their investment in the players and their care for the players shouldn't be questioned. So what changed this time around? Could anything have been done along the way to prevent the hospitalizations? Did the way Iowa lost games in 2010 -- blowing fourth-quarter leads -- contribute to players being pushed too far?

Every aspect of what took place between Jan. 20-24 must be closely examined.

Iowa held a news conference earlier Wednesday afternoon where we got a few smidgens of information about the Hawkeyes football players who remain hospitalized. The number of hospitalized players has increased to 13, and it's now confirmed they are recovering from rhabdomyolysis, a muscle syndrome that can be caused by excessive exercise and can, in serious cases, cause kidney damage.

Iowa director of football operations Paul Federici addressed the media along with Dr. John Stokes, a kidney specialist at University Hospitals. Biff Poggi, whose son Jim, an Iowa freshman linebacker, is one of the hospitalized players, also appeared at the news conference and provided by far the most information about what has taken place during the last six days.

Some notes:

• The players are responding well to treatment, although their release from the hospital remains unknown. Officials can't confirm the cause of the rhabdomyolysis, although they suspect it stems from a series of intense workouts.
• Federici said all Iowa players went through the workouts, which are standard for this time of year but described as "strenuous" and "ambitious." Thursday marked the start of winter workouts, and according to Biff Poggi, the players did an intense series of squats where a certain number of reps needed to be done in a specific time period. Jim Poggi reportedly did 100 squats in 17 minutes.
• Federici on the regimen: "It is strenuous, it’s ambitious, the student-athletes know that. … It has been part of our workout at this time of the year in the past. [The wave of health problems] is just an anomaly. We haven't seen this type of response."
• Biff Poggi: "It was a hard workout and [Jim] called afterward and said it was a hard workout. He was very, very sore. Thursday was general fatigue. Thursday evening he started to have severe quad pain."
• Iowa players went through an upper-body workout Friday before getting the weekend off, although Biff Poggi said Jim's muscle soreness actually got worse. Players went though another lower-body workout Monday, after which Jim Poggi had symptoms (discolored urine) consistent with rhabdomyolysis.
• Biff Poggi said Jim's treatment has consisted of intravenous fluids, frequent blood work to check kidney function and bed rest. No dialysis has taken place. The officials couldn't comment on the treatment for the other players because of privacy laws.
• The use of drugs and food supplements can contribute to rhabdomyolysis, although it's too soon to tell if that happened in the cases of these players. Hydration also is a factor, though Federici said fluids are readily available during these workouts.
• Players went through the workouts in groups of 15-35 and all five Iowa strength coaches were present, Federici said. Muscle fatigue and soreness is typical after these workouts but the training staff began referring players to the hospital after more serious symptoms emerged.
• Federici said head coach Kirk Ferentz is returning to Iowa City on Wednesday afternoon from a recruiting trip. Biff Poggi said he has been in touch with both Ferentz and linebackers coach Darrell Wilson multiple times in the past few days.
• Federici: "Changes will be considered, I’m sure. We’re always looking for a better way to do things."
• Stokes said it's typical for patients with rhabdomyolysis to be hospitalized for more than 48 hours. The good news is these are typically one-time occurrences. "What doctors are trying to be sure of is muscle injury improving and kidney function not getting worse," he said.

Clearly, there are many more questions that remain. This certainly wasn't Iowa's finest hour from a p.r. standpoint, and if not for Poggi's presence, the news conference would have been pointless. The big question among many folks is why Ferentz and athletic director Gary Barta weren't present Wednesday? Schools typically want to get their most recognizable figures in front of the media.

I get that, but my bigger issue is why none of the strength coaches appeared Wednesday. They were present at these workouts and they could have shed more light on what actually happened, the workout regimens, what they ask from the players, whether there is any precedent for these medical problems, etc.

Thirteen players in the hospital is a big deal, and Iowa needs to treat it that way in its dealings with the media and the public.

Stay tuned for more as the story develops.

Iowa has scheduled a news conference for 4:30 p.m. ET today (3:30 p.m. local time) to discuss the 12 football players hospitalized Monday night.

According to a news release, a representative from the football staff and a doctor from University Hospitals will be present to answer questions. Athletic director Gary Barta won't be in attendance.

The players reportedly have exertional rhabdomyolysis, a condition often caused by extreme exercise that, in serious cases, can cause damage to the kidneys. The school says the symptoms likely were caused by a recent workout.

Some key questions:

• What specifically took place at this workout?
• How did this workout differ from previous training sessions, if at all?
• How were players prepared for this workout?
• What's the prognosis for the players going forward? When will they be released from the hospital?
• What type of disciplinary action could be taken against those administering the workout?

I'll have a full recap after the news conference.

The 12 Iowa football players hospitalized Monday night are reportedly being treated for exertional rhabdomyolysis, a condition often caused by extreme exercise that, in serious cases, can cause damage to the kidneys.

Iowa sent out a news release Tuesday night stating that the players are being treated for symptoms likely related to winter workouts. The workouts are permitted under NCAA rules.

The good news is players received treatment early in the process, and they should all be fine.

From The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette:

The exact details of the workout that might have caused this are unclear. Iowa players did recently participate in lower-body drills that included a series of 100 squats followed by sled work. It's a workout the Iowa program has used in the past, according to sources.

Exertional rhabdomyolysis is the breakdown of muscle fibers that results in the release of fiber contents (myoglobin) into the bloodstream. Muscle soreness and urine turning brown are common symptoms. Iowa linebacker Jim Poggi wrote on his Facebook page Tuesday that he had been hospitalized after his urine turned brown.

You can learn more about the condition here and here. There was a similar outbreak last summer with a high school football team in Oregon. The situation in Oregon occurred during an uptick in the team's training regimen, which could also be the case with the Iowa players.

The syndrome, rhabdomyolysis, often occurs when athletes who have not been training have a sudden increase in the intensity of their workouts, like a return to practice after a summer break, said Dr. Rupert P. Galvez, a sports medicine doctor who wrote a 2008 article about the syndrome.

"It may tend to happen more toward the beginning of the season, as they’re starting up their preconditioning training," Galvez said.

The identities of the hospitalized players remain unknown, and we don't know when they'll be released from the hospital. Iowa athletic director Gary Barta says the school will investigate the situation, and it will be interesting to see what is found about these workouts.

I guess this is what they mean by getting out in front of the story.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz and athletic director Gary Barta held a news conference Tuesday morning where they revealed very little actual news. Despite rampant rumors about a wave of drug-related suspensions, Iowa announced no additional personnel updates other than what was released Monday night.

To recap: Top running back Adam Robinson has been suspended until January at the earliest for unspecified reasons, while running backs Jewel Hampton and Brandon Wegher are transferring. Wide receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos won't play for Iowa again after his arrest last week on several drug charges.

That's it.

"We don't anticipate any more announcements on our roster," Ferentz said.

You can breathe a little easier now, Iowa fans. The roster won't be depleted for the Insight Bowl matchup against Missouri on Dec. 28.

The only real news from Iowa City today is that the school reviewed its drug-testing program following the DJK mess last week and found "some flaws and inconsistencies," Barta said. The school didn't find any specific acts of cheating or any cover-up attempts by those performing the tests, but Barta has "strong evidence" to believe that student-athletes likely have found ways to get around the testing program.

He didn't go into specifics.

"We have not caught anybody getting around the system,” Barta said. “Unfortunately, there’s enough evidence in our protocol to say we have to tighten up. It’s pretty likely that someone -- I don’t know if it’s 1 or 21 -- someone has gotten around this process.

"And if it’s only one, it makes you doubt all testing.”

All Iowa student-athletes are randomly tested at least once a year by the school, including all 92 football players this year, coach Kirk Ferentz said. The Big Ten and the NCAA also conduct separate drug testing. An Iowa student-athlete automatically misses athletic competition with a first positive drug test. Those who refuse testing count as having tested positive.

A few nuggets:

• Robinson remains eligible and Ferentz hinted that his suspension is for academic reasons, stretching back to Robinson sitting out the start of the Ohio State game on Nov. 20. "It's my anticipation that he'll be back in January," Ferentz said. Hampton's decision to transfer was mutual, Ferentz said.
• The coach didn't want Robinson and Hampton to be grouped in with Johnson-Koulianos, the only Iowa player facing legal action at this time. Unfortunately, holding a news conference like this allows folks to draw those conclusions.
• Asked if other players knew about DJK's problems, Ferentz said: "My guess is some did, and if that’s the case, it’s unfortunate that nobody came forward."
• Iowa City police gave Ferentz a head's up about the DJK situation last Tuesday while the arrest was taking place.
• Ferentz on player conduct: "My guess is the behaviors of this year's team off the field aren't much different [from last season]. We had a lot of the same parties on the team last year. When you win 11 games, everything's fine, and when you win seven, it's a little different."
• Ferentz on DJK: "Shock's a strong word. I think I got over that about 20 years ago. Disappointment is obviously a big part of the equation."
• Drug testing for Iowa student-athletes continued last week, although it wasn't out of the ordinary, Barta said.
• Barta on the state of the program: "The state of the program is in great hands. We're dealing with some important and challenging issues, but I have great confidence in Kirk's handling of them."

Anyway, an odd day in Iowa City, but not a catastrophic one for the program as it prepares for the Insight Bowl.

You'd have a hard time convincing most state employees that college football coaches deserve the money they make.

But when you consider the market for the nation's best coaches, Iowa's Kirk Ferentz is worth every penny.

Iowa continued to pledge its loyalty to Ferentz on Thursday, announcing a contract extension through the 2020 season. School official expect the contract to be signed Friday, hours before Ferentz begins his 12th season as Hawkeyes' head coach.

The compensation certainly is notable: Ferentz will earn $3,675,000 annually, an increase of 330,000. He also receives longevity compensation beginning in 2010 that starts at $325,000 and increases every year. I'm no financial expert, but that kind of money goes a long way in Iowa.

Ferentz becomes the Big Ten's highest-paid coach, pocketing just more than Ohio State's Jim Tressel ($3.5 million).

"I've said publicly, and privately to Kirk, that it would be my goal to have him retire at Iowa," athletic director Gary Barta said in a statement. "This contract is a statement supporting that commitment."

The Ferentz extension is a wise move for Iowa and Barta, who had himself a very nice week, securing the Farmageddon rivalry with Nebraska in the new Big Ten divisional alignment. Iowa loves stability, and Ferentz has provided it as the second-longest tenured coach in the Big Ten behind Penn State's Joe Paterno. Ferentz is one of only eight FBS head coaches to be in the same position they had in 1999.

So why lock him up now? Because Ferentz always has the potential to move on. He'd never say anything publicly, but his name always gets mentioned for NFL vacancies. And when Paterno finally decides to step down, expect to hear Ferentz, a western Pennsylvania native, get mentioned as a candidate.

I don't think he's going anywhere. He loves Iowa, and his son, James, will start at center for Saturday's opener against Eastern Illinois. Ferentz also has a 17-year-old son attending school in Iowa City.

As I wrote back in early October, Iowa might not be considered a big-time program, but it distinguishes itself from comparable schools by paying its coach what he's worth.

"To many, Ferentz's credentials don't translate into a $3 million salary, but consider the alternative. If Iowa doesn't pay, it could turn into Louisville or North Carolina or Michigan State or Washington State, programs that went downhill after losing successful coaches (Bobby Petrino, Mack Brown, Nick Saban, Mike Price). Coaching change really stings, and some programs never recover. Iowa has avoided the same fate."

Why should Ferentz make more than Tressel? He faces a more challenging situation, which lacks the local recruiting base enjoyed by Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan. Despite bringing in average recruiting classes, Iowa has reached six January bowl games in the past eight years and comes off of an Orange Bowl championship.

Smart move by Iowa. And the dollars given to Ferentz make sense.

CHICAGO -- Commissioner Jim Delany outlined two major forces behind the Big Ten's expansion study in his meeting with reporters Tuesday.

The first is obvious: The Big Ten Network, a project that faced plenty of initial skepticism but has not only survived, but thrived. The potential to grow the network in new markets or potentially strengthen existing markets is a huge part of what the Big Ten has been studying the last five months.

The second force is bigger than the Big Ten and impacts numerous industries in America.

People are heading south in larger numbers, and the population shift has put northern institutions like the Big Ten on notice.

"As far as the shifting population, that is reason, by itself, enough, to look at the concept of expansion," Delany said. "We've been blessed in many ways by the economy and the density of the population in the 20th century. Our schools have benefited by healthy economies, by strong markets, by growth, by integration. ... In the last 20, 30 years, there's been a clear shift in movement into the sun belt. The rates of growth in the sun belt are four times the rates they are in the East or the Midwest.

"You do want to look forward to 2020 and 2030 and see what that impact would be on our schools."

Delany has brought up the demographic shift several times in recent years when talking about recruiting and other topics. He knows that in order for the Big Ten to maintain its national standing, its alumni base and its brand, the league might need to get bigger.

Iowa athletics director Gary Barta said shifting demographics were one of the first subjects brought up when league officials decided to push forward with an expansion study.

"Without going into any specific school, it's just projecting ahead," Barta said. "Do we need to grow the business in the next 20 years, and, if so, does adding schools make any sense? That's part of the principle of whether or not we look at expansion."

Aside from Texas, most of the rumored expansion candidates are located in the Midwest or toward the East Coast.

It begs the question: Should the Big Ten look to the South to capitalize on the population shift, or is the league best served by getting stronger in its existing footprint?

"It depends," Ohio State athletics director Gene Smith said. "You could address the census issue by getting [stronger] where we are."

As you can image, the Big Ten's announcement about potential expansion created a ton of buzz from State College to Iowa City. Everyone's talking about possible 12th teams, the benefits and drawbacks for the league and what it all means.

Here's a sampling of what they're saying:

QUOTES/STATEMENTS

Michigan State athletics director Mark Hollis: "With the changing landscape of intercollegiate athletics, now is a good time for the Big Ten to review its current structure and evaluate the potential for expansion. The Big Ten remains the nation's premier conference; however, it's always important to evaluate ways to make the conference even stronger. The addition of Penn State to the Big Ten in 1990 certainly proved to be a home run, so if the conference decides to expand, it is our hope that the move would bring similar prestige and success to the conference."

Michigan head football coach Rich Rodriguez: "I am in favor of the Big Ten exploring all options to make the league stronger, whether the decision is ultimately made to expand or not. We should be proactive in examining the college athletic landscape and I'm pleased that our conference is looking for ways to make the Big Ten better. I am behind the decision to expand if it fits with the ideals of our conference."

Ohio State athletics director Gene Smith: "When you look at the college landscape across the country and you look at the television contracts over the next five to eight years, this is probably the right time for us to see if there is any value in adding a team or teams."

Michigan athletics director Bill Martin: "I think we’d all be open-minded about it. And, again, I think it gets back to the right fit that does make sense."

Purdue athletics director Morgan Burke: "I think about every five years we're going to take a look, but it doesn't mean you're going to expand. It simply says things can change, and therefore we ought to be in a position of taking a look at what the various options are."

Indiana athletics director Fred Glass: "I think it would be overstating it to say that we’re looking for somebody to add. We're looking at whether we want to add somebody, and who those somebodies might be. I think it’s really important to underscore that we're fine where we are. There's no need for us to do this if it doesn’t add value to the conference and to the applicant that might want to join the conference."

Illinois athletics director Ron Guenther: "About every five years the Big Ten Conference explores the possibility of expansion. Any expansion of the conference would obviously have to be a good fit academically, geographically and financially. If the Big Ten does make a change, I hope it will be as successful as the addition of Penn State."

Ohio State president E. Gordon Gee: "We can't look in the rear-view mirror and say we love what we are. We need to say, 'What can we be?'"

Iowa athletics director Gary Barta: "We do have a great conference and in order to add somebody it's going to have to make sense. When we added Penn State, it worked out wonderfully. They fit our philosophy. They fit athletically, academically, geographically. If we ever find the perfect partner, then I think it's worth looking at. If we don't find the perfect partner, then I'm not interested in expanding."

LINKS

• Big Ten expansion could bring greater risks than potential rewards, SI.com's Stewart Mandel writes.
• Expansion makes sense for the Big Ten, which should think outside the box and push for Texas, CBSsports.com's Dennis Dodd writes.
• If the Big Ten can't land Notre Dame, definitely take Rutgers, David Jones writes in The (Harrisburg) Patriot-News.
• Missouri doesn't sound too excited about the possibility of joining the Big Ten, Vahe Gregorian writes in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
• Ohio State's Smith thinks television is the driving force behind the expansion push, Doug Lesmerises writes in The Cleveland Plain Dealer.
• Missouri is the best of a not-so appealing group of expansion candidates, Mike Hlas writes in The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette.
• The Chicago Tribune's Teddy Greenstein takes a look at what we know and what we don't know about possible Big Ten expansion.

Iowa and Penn State both have completed the regular season at 10-2, but the schools' competition for a BCS at-large berth is just getting started. Ohio State owns the Big Ten's automatic BCS bowl berth (almost certainly to the Rose Bowl), but as usual, the league is well positioned for an at-large selection.

The Iowa-Penn State debate is fascinating because so many factors are involved, and many seem split on these teams. Penn State is ahead in all of the human polls, but the computers favor Iowa and push the Hawkeyes in front in the BCS standings.

Here's a look at the BCS case for each team.

The Case for Iowa

Iowa's case is built around what happened on the field and who it came against. The Hawkeyes feel they have the facts on their side and see no need for flash or sizzle (i.e. style points).

AD Gary Barta and head coach Kirk Ferentz can point to the following factors:

• A head-to-head victory at Penn State on Sept. 26. Iowa went into Happy Valley and upset Penn State 21-10. The Hawkeyes also were without starters Bryan Bulaga and Tony Moeaki in the game.
• Better wins than Penn State. Iowa beat Arizona, a recently ranked team that would be back in the polls had it not fallen apart late against Oregon. Iowa also beat Wisconsin, ranked 16th in the BCS standings before last week's loss to Northwestern.
• A tougher schedule overall and on the road. Iowa had to visit Penn State, Ohio State, Wisconsin and Michigan State and went 3-1. The Hawkeyes could have gone 0-4 or 4-0, but they were competitive in every game. Plus, Iowa played two nonconference games against decent BCS teams (Arizona and Iowa State), while Penn State played one against a bad team (Syracuse). Iowa's schedule ranks 27th nationally based on cumulative opposition; Penn State's ranks 47th.
• More adversity than Penn State. Iowa lost two potential starters before the season (RB Jewel Hampton and CB Jordan Bernstine) as well as starters like Bulaga, Moeaki, wideout Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, safety Brett Greenwood and quarterback Ricky Stanzi during the season. Iowa's only two losses came in a game Stanzi didn't finish because of injury (Northwestern) and a game in which Stanzi didn't play (Ohio State).
• A much better showing against Big Ten champ Ohio State. Iowa took the Buckeyes to overtime in Columbus despite redshirt freshman quarterback James Vandenberg making his first career start. The Hawkeyes lost 27-24, while Penn State got obliterated on its home field.
• Stanzi is expected back for a bowl game.
• Iowa fans travel extremely well to bowl games, a reason the Hawkeyes have leapfrogged Big Ten teams in the selections. Arizona is filled with Iowa natives and university alumni, making the Hawkeyes attractive to the Fiesta Bowl.

The Case for Penn State

Penn State's case is built around impressive victories, star players, a tremendous brand name and a legendary head coach. The Lions earned style points in their wins this season and finished the regular season with their top performance, throttling Michigan State. Plus, these bowls know what they'll get with Penn State, and they'll like it.

AD Tim Curley and head coach Joe Paterno can cite:

• Margin of victory. Penn State beat Michigan State by 28 points on the road, Michigan by 25 points on the road and Northwestern by 21 points on the road. Iowa needed a touchdown on the final play to beat Michigan State 15-13. The Hawkeyes also beat Michigan by only two points at home and lost to Northwestern at home.
• Stronger play down the stretch. Iowa went 1-2 in November and had only one victory by more than 12 points after spanking Iowa State 35-3 back on Sept. 12. After falling to Iowa, Penn State won seven of its final eight games, with six of those wins coming by 18 points or more and five by 20 points or more.
• A key injury against Iowa. Penn State faced the Hawkeyes without star linebacker and co-captain Sean Lee, who missed the game with a knee injury.
• The Temple win. Everyone knocks Penn State's nonconference schedule, but the Lions' 31-6 victory against Temple on Sept. 19 looks better and better. The Owls haven't lost since and could win the MAC title.
• Paterno. He remains one of the most fascinating figures in sports, and he always makes a bowl game more appealing with his presence. Paterno has won more bowl games than any other coach.
• A national name. Iowa and Penn State both travel well, but Penn State is a name recognized by casual fans around the country. Penn State has been to five Orange Bowls and six Fiesta Bowls, including the 1987 game that clinched the school's last national championship and drew a huge television audience. If a bowl picks Penn State, it is guaranteed a huge turnout and great TV ratings.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany has called league expansion a "back burner issue" more than once in recent weeks.

Well, here's one for the conference to put on the front burner. 

The hiring rate of minorities to head coach and coordinator positions remains well below what it should be in college football, and it's reflected in the Big Ten.

The league has one minority head coach -- Michigan's Rich Rodriguez is Hispanic  -- and only two minority coordinators in Michigan offensive coordinator Calvin Magee and Michigan State offensive coordinator Don Treadwell.

The league had six coordinator changes during the offseason, including the departure of Illinois offensive coordinator Mike Locksley, who became one of six black head coaches in the sport when he took over at New Mexico. But none of the vacancies was filled with a minority candidate.

The Big Ten has had only three black head coaches and only one, Michigan State's Bobby Williams, since 1991. Northwestern had consecutive black head coaches from 1981-91 in Dennis Green and Francis Peay.

Before Michigan hired Rodriguez, the Big Ten had only one other minority head coach in the last two decades -- Wisconsin's Barry Alvarez, one of the most successful coaches in recent league history.

"It's not more of a concern today than it was a year ago or two years ago, but it's a constant focus," Iowa athletic director Gary Barta said of minority coach hiring. "We want diversity on our campus from the president's office to the faculty, including the athletic department. And the only way you get that is through purposeful recruitment. It's not just who applies. It's who you're looking at and who you're developing through your ranks."

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Belts are tightening around college football these days, as athletic directors are finding ways to trim costs in a very tough economic climate.

Iowa appears to have succeeded during its trip to the 2009 Outback Bowl. 

The school today released its budget report for the bowl trip. Iowa came in just under budget, spending $1,519,800 for the trip after being provided a budget of $1.65 million, in accordance with Big Ten Conference policy.

"I'm very proud of our staff's ability to effectively manage the expense-side of our participation in the Outback Bowl in a way that allowed us to stay within our budget, provide all that was required to prepare our team for the game and give us the best chance for victory, and to give our student-athletes the high-quality experience they earned," Iowa athletic director Gary Barta said in a statement. 

It's interesting to see the itemized breakdown of expenses, which include the following:

• $290,842 for transportation of players, coaches, support staff and athletic department officials.
• $66,725 for the marching band's meals, lodging and per diem expenses.
  
• $20,130 for team equipment costs. 

Iowa sold more than 14,000 tickets for the game through its own ticket office, and the report showed the school paid for 3,672 tickets that were either "comped" or unsold. Both teams were responsible for 11,000 game tickets.