HAWK TALK

May 2016

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12 Still, Iowa City is a long way from Olive Branch. "e people were unbelievable, I felt at home here," Bell said. "Football is important in the South and football — especially Iowa football — is important in Iowa City. When I came to Iowa City, everything was Iowa Hawkeyes and I wanted to be part of that." And even though an injury robbed him of playing a single college snap, Bell absorbed the Hawkeye culture. "If you don't play a down, one thing coach Ferentz will make sure is that you finish with a college degree and leave as a better human being," Bell said. "I'm living proof." at is one of many sales pitches Bell can deliver. ere are many more: "For myself not being a native Iowan and being a person of color, I'm an anomaly in Iowa City," Bell said. "I'm here and I'm finding success. When I go to other states, I'm not trying to sell something I haven't done. I have already done this and I can tell you the highs, lows, and why you should give it a shot. "e thing about coach Ferentz is that he is so fair and consistent. I know exactly what to expect and when I'm telling a kid something, he can take it as the concrete truth. It gives you ultimate confidence when you're selling a place because you know the guy at the top has your back, stands for stability, and believes everything we're preaching." Bell did not have a difficult time transitioning into his new job. e groundwork was set by predecessors Seth Wallace and Eric Johnson. Having the new Richard O. Jacobson Football Operations Building doesn't hurt, either does a 12-0 regular season, Big Ten West Division championship, and Rose Bowl Game berth during the 2015 season. But Bell said there is still the challenge of finding student-athletes that fit Iowa's system. "It's not about finding the kid with the most stars and recruiting him," Bell said. "We have to find the right fit and I learned that a long time ago. We can't deviate from what made us successful just because we found success."

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