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JON BEUTJER'S DEPARTURE r r: r tJ , ~ ·, ·, • 'I l • ~ Beutje· keeping options open, looking at Div. II and Div. III By Melinda Mawdsley The Daily Iowan A week full of excitement and hype for the 2001 Iowa football team was overshadowed by two surprise phone calls. The first came Tuesday, when sophomore Jon Beutjer briefly informed coach Kirk Ferentz of his decision to transfer. The second came Wednesday, when the former Hawkeye quarterback elaborated on his reasons for leaving the Hawkeyes. An upset Beutjer said he was transferring because he was distraught over the portrayal and handling of his fight with teammate and roommate Sam Aiello in late July. "This was the hardest decision I've made in my life," Beutjer said from his home in Wheaton, TIL, on Wednesday. "But I had to take care of myself. I left Iowa because I couldn't take the betrayal I felt from head coach Kirk Ferentz and my position coach Ken O'Keefe." At first glance, it was thought maybe Beutjer was upset because he didn't get the starting nod for Saturday's season opener against Kent State "This was the hardest decision Pve made in my life. But I had to take care of myself." - Jon Beutjer former Ul quaterback and left because the coaches opted for Kyle McCann and guaranteed playing time to then-No. 3 Brad Banks. Not 80, said Beutjer. That announcement only made it easier to leave. He said his decision to transfer was made on Aug. 24 -two days before he learned he would be the back-up. Beutjer said he was assaulted by Aiello over a $22 cable bill on July 25 and suffered a concussion - the third of his prep and college career. From the time the incident occurred until he spoke out on Wednesday, Beutjer said, the coaches have played down the seriousness of the incident, and that angered him. He said it got to the point where be couldn't even look the coaches in the eye. "'felt it would remain a distraction until the truth came out," he said. "I love my teammates, the fans, the support - everything about Iowa. But I could not play for coaches that do not support me and whom I cannot trust." Beutjer left for his parent's house on Tuesday morning. That afternoon was the first Ferentz learned of his former player's decision. "I came out of a team meeting and got a phone call about five minutes after I got into my office," Ferentz said Tuesday. "He [Beutjer) told me very briefly that his desire was to transfer to another school." Even though Beutjer and his family disagree with the way the incident was dealt with, Ferentz and Athletics Director Bob Bowlsby stand by the their handling of the situation. Fer- entz said Aiello was clearly in the wrong and has been punished inhouse for the incident. "There is a structure for dealing with such things, and this was dealt with in an appropriate manner," Bowlsby said Thursday. Aiello is expected to start at right guard against Kent State. Beutjer has received his release from Iowa, and he said he's considering a variety of options, including other Big Ten schools. He may also select a Division II or II school so he can play both football and basketball. Ferentz said he did address the team following Beutjer's departure and was pleased with the Hawks' ability to maintain focus and practice hard. He reiterated that overcoming adversity is the key to a successful season, which the Hawkeyes seem poised to achieve for the first time since his arrival in 1999. "I'm confident our guys will react in a positive manner," he said. "And I think our guys are ready to take on whatever challenges confront us, and this is certainly one." E·mall Of reporter Mtllllll• Mlwdlley 11: mmawdsleyOb!ue.weeo.ulowa.edu KENT STATE Kent State returns 17 starters lyiiiUIIIIIIIIwdlllf The Daily Iowan Dean Pees chuckled when asked if there are similarities between Iowa and his Kent State program. He said even though both schools return nearly 20 starters and more than 40 lettermen while spending the summer milling over naming their starting quarterbacks, the parallels end there. "'owa is going through a little bit of a slump," Pees said. "Theirs is a program with a rich tradition, and I really see them getting it back. We're trying to build a program that hasn't been around for 20 years." But taking an active role in rebuilding a program isn't new turf for Pees. He served as defensive coordinator under George Perles and Nick Saban at Michigan State from 1995-97. In the four years prior to Pees' arrival, the Spartans compiled a 14-31 record. In Pee ' hort time in East Lansing, he helped take the Spartans to three con ecutive bowl games and turned ...... Kent State at a glance 21110 recent 1-10 IIIMa.cii:OanPees C.l•~~ea: Mid-American EniiiiiK 30, 287 Rltlnlllt~47 ltll'tlriNIInllll:17 their defense into one of the top 20 in the country. Then a call came from Kent State. Pees knew he wasn't taking over for a legend or even for a mediocre coach. He was in charge of simply making the Gt>lden Flashes a competitive program. "' knew somewhat what I was getting into," he said. "I kind of relish the fact that I didn't have to live up to anyone's standard . I wanted the opportunity. Even though our record is terrible, it's been rewarding." Kent State has a 3-30 record in the three years since Pees took over. The Golden Flashes haven't had a winning record ince 1987 when they fin- . . ,. . ished 7-4. However, Pees believes his program is turning a corner. He said in order to become a championship team, the players first have to be a competitive one. In his first season, the Golden Flashes went 0-11. Two years ago, they picked up two wins. Last season, Kent State put together a 1-10 record. Pees also points out that the competitive fire he's trying to instill in his team began to surlace last eason. The Flashes beat Central Michigan in double overtime and suffered three defeats by seven points or fewer. As a coach searching for positives, Pees will chalk tho e up as moral victorie . "We're a lot closer than we've been before," he aid.·"Kids understand that we were in games last year." Senior co-captain Brian Hallett arrived on the Kent campu the ame year as Pees. Hallett has endured three- traight ea on of defeat and di appointment, but he stands by his coach and ... the direction Pees is taking his program. "' love playing for coach Pees," Hallett said. "His heart is completely in Kent State. He wants to win, I think, more than anyone on the team. I just want to win 80 badly for him." Hallett anchors an offensive line that will try to provide ample protection for sophomore quarterback Jeff Valentino and senior tailback Chante Murphy, the team's defending offensiveMVP. The knock on Kent State's offense is its predictability and lack of bigplay guys. But sometimes those 27-point underdog put up the biggest fight. That element of urprise is what the Cklldeo Flashes are counting on. "A lot of people will think this team is a pushover: Hallett said. "I thought we played well last year, and we've played well against the Big Ten schools."
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