Another article on alumni comments:
While all three former players remembered the toll the 100 squats workout took on their bodies, they also spoke of its importance – almost reverentially – in the Iowa offseason workout program.
“It’s terrible, physically, but it really teaches you to go to your limit, push your boundaries,” Murphy said. “And it’s really a key team-building thing. You’ve been to hell and back with your teammates. (Later during the season) we’d joke about it during practice: ‘At least it’s not 100 squats.’”
Added Herbst, “I felt like I accomplished something when I got done with it. It makes you tougher mentally as well as physically.”
All that is crucial to being a successful major college football player, Elgin said.
“This is Big Ten football. Every student-athlete is trying to push their body to the absolute max,” he said.
Murphy agreed, saying simply, “I don’t think you can ever work too hard.”
All three players also came to the defense of Doyle, who has a solid reputation in the coaching community. Elgin added about 100 pounds to his frame under Doyle’s tutelage.
"That strength staff headed by Chris Doyle, they are smart. They research
everything. They are looking out for the best interest of the player," Elgin said. "He’s one of those guys that really cares. He really gets to know his players. He probably knows the players’ bodies better than they do. They have such a magnifying glass on the players. They know what’s going on.
“He’s one of the best strength and conditioning coaches in the nation, and you don’t fall into that reputation by being careless. It’s an unforutnate incident that hopefully both sides will learn from.”
Murphy sees this week’s incidents as isolated and hopes the issue doesn’t get blown out of proportion.
“They’re doing the same things we all did,” he said. “They should focus the story on why did this happen now?”
“one of the best strength and conditioning coaches in the nation…” – Based on what assessment? I know some pretty smart strength coaches, and none of them would have ever prescribed 100 squats with a time limit. Obviously, this is a staple of the program and has a history.
The general public’s assessment of “What makes a good strength coach” counts for very little. It’s like using the “People’s Choice Awards” as a measuring stick for excellence.