FORMER HAWKEYE SCOTT PLATE SEVERELY INJURED, RECOVERING. Scott Plate was a three year starter at corner back for Iowa during the 1990-'93 football seasons. His senior season ('93), Plate recorded five interceptions and 42 tackles. His life following Iowa football has been difficult.
Plate is battling an addiction to alcohol. He's been arrested and divorced. He was homeless. The story on MLive places Plate outside a homeless shelter with a blood-alcohol of .358. A witness claims Plate and Justyn Ewing-Brown had a confrontation. According to the witness Plate used a racial-slur and physically bumped Ewing-Brown. Justyn responed with a punch that would drop Plate to the ground where he fractured his skull, an injury that eventually led to brain surgery.
Plate was in a coma and his father Bill says his recovery from his injuries have been "pretty miraculous." For now, he's alive and his father says "we hope something positive will come out of this."
FRAN MCCAFFERY IS GONNA GET PAID, EVENTUALLY. According to this story from Cedar Rapids Gazette's Scott Dochterman, McCaffery is among the Big Ten's lowest paid coaches. McCaffery earned $1.1 million dollars guaranteed salary. Gary Barta says he and McCaffery haven't talked about a raise.
Thus far, the McCaffery rebuilding project is right on schedule. At least in terms of getting wins and meat in the Carver-Hawkeye seats.
McCaffery's guaranteed salary is increasing each year. He'll earn $1.15 million next season and max out at $1.35 million in 2016. There's bonuses too. He earned an additional $10,000 this year for reaching the NIT. Getting his athletes to perform in the classroom can also earn him an additional $100,000.
If McCaffery's rebuilding stays on pace and Iowa reaches the NCAA Tournament next season you have to wonder if he and Barta will sit and discuss a raise and or extension. With Nebraska paying newly signed coach Tim Miles $1.4 million and Illinois throwing around figures of $2 million plus Fran will have some negotiating power. The winning still has to happen first.
MOVING ON WITH MARC MOREHOUSE'S FOUR DOWN SERIES. Iowa's defensive back four returns 50% of their starters. Tanner Miller and Micah Hyde will be the leadership back there. B.J. Lowery will get the start opposite of Hyde and sophomore Nico Law will replace Jordan Bernstine. Senior Greg Castillo is the current favorite to play the nickle and be the first defensive back off the bench.
Iowa's built some depth through the last two recruiting classes. Second year players Jordan Lomax and Torrey Campbell could see the field at times this fall. Morehouse believes there's special teams positions open for any of the incoming defensive back recruits too. Kevin Buford, Anthony Gair, Sean Draper, Ruben Lile and Maurice Fleming will be competing for that valuable opportunity to gain experience.
HOW LONG WILL RICKY STANZI STAY A CHIEF? Bill Williamson, of ESPN.com, think's Stanzi's time in Kansas City is in "trouble." Williamson cites the Chief's signing of Brady Quinn as a bad sign but does expect Stanzi to remain the #3 QB this season. SBNation Chiefs blog Arrowhead Pride thinks there's a lot to like about Stanzi. AP writes that history though, is not on Stanzi's side.
IOWA FOOTBALL MISSES ON A COUPLE OF RECRUITS. It's becoming a common theme this spring, Iowa offers a highly touted high school footballer, said footballer commits elsewhere. Colin McGovern is a Rivals three star offensive tackle prospect that gave his verbal commitment to Notre Dame over the weekend. Mike McGlinchey is another three star offensive tackle that also committed to the Irish. Iowa still has zero commits for the 2013 recruiting class.
IOWA OFFERS A FOUR STAR TEXAS QUARTERBACK. We'll see if the name Greg Davis means anything in the Longhorn state. Iowa offered a scholarship to Cody Thomas of Colleyville, Texas. Thomas is rated four stars by recruiting service Rivals.com. He's 6'5" and a pro-style QB, here is his YouTube.
IOWA OFFERED A RUNNING BACK TOO. Zaire Williams is from the same town as Shonn Greene. Hopefully the connection pays off as Iowa recently offered the 5'11" running back a scholarship. Iowa has offers to three players from Sickerville, New Jersey. Both Greg Webb and Dajaun Drennon, teammates of Williams, hold Iowa offers too.
Other links:
- 2011-2012 Season in Review: Devon Archie
- Wes Washpun, former Iowa recruit is transferring from Tennessee
- Metcalf qualifies U.S. for Olympics at 66 kg weight class
- 2012 Pan Am: 66 KG FS Gold: Brent Metcalf (USA) vs. Haslan Garcia (CAN)
- Spring Ball is Going Well for Vandenberg
- Top Iowa basketball moments of 2011-12: No. 5 vs. Michigan
- Draft Stock: Reiff & McNutt
- Hawkeyes Host UNO as Dahm Goes for Win No. 200
- Sash receives key to Oskaloosa
- Gable to sign autographs at museum Friday
- Free Agent quarterback Danny O'Brien to Penn State?
- Former Hawk Jovon Johnson said no to the NFL
- Matt McDonough named wildcard for the US Olympic trials
- Hawkeyes earn all-Americans, top finish in 17 years
- Can the Hawkeyes get a running game going?
- Illini expected to hire Groce
- Ex-Hawkeye, Comet Sindlinger going into Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame
- Marvin McNutt: Ready for the next step