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Leaders: Ferentz hire complied with nepotism rules

Sports

March 9th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Leaders of a University of Iowa oversight committee are satisfied Coach Kirk Ferentz didn’t violate school policy when he created a job opening on his staff that was filled with his son. Vice president for human resources Susan Buckley and associate provost Tom Rice said through a spokesman Thursday the hiring of Brian Ferentz as offensive line coach “was in full compliance with all university policies.” Buckley and Rice chair a committee charged with enforcing rules meant to ban nepotism.

Athletics director Gary Barta told Buckley it was his decision to hire Brian Ferentz, and Kirk Ferentz didn’t participate in the interview. But Brian Ferentz said Wednesday he left the New England Patriots because he couldn’t say no to his father, who had reassigned an assistant to create the opening.