Derrell Johnson-Koulianos is arguably the greatest wide receiver in Iowa Hawkeyes history. He’s first on the UI all-time list in receptions and 2nd in receiving yards. He also once had high NFL Draft potential. Then came all the arrest, and six drug charges. DJK now alleges he was defamed by Iowa Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz and plans to write a book about his experience at the school.
He played with the Iowa Hawkeyes from 2006-2010, and was kicked off the team before bowl game his senior season. Johnson-Koulianos posted some comments Tuesday on Twitter alleging that Ferentz discouraged NFL teams from pursuing him in the 2011 draft.
KF punished me by making me wear a trash can on my head for an entire practice while recruits parents were at practice…
— DJK (@coachkoul) December 17, 2013
KF’s sons James Ferentz asked me to buy him boos when he was too young livin in hillcrest dorms.
— DJK (@coachkoul) December 17, 2013
The money, the drugs the dictatorship of a program. All of it will be in the book.
— DJK (@coachkoul) December 17, 2013
Not blaming anybody. I take ownership for how it went down 100%. But it’s only fair people know all the truth.
— DJK (@coachkoul) December 17, 2013
There’s so much shit that hasn’t been revealed about what goes on and I experienced. This book gonna open some eyes.
— DJK (@coachkoul) December 17, 2013
And there’s a lot more like that. There’s a ton of interesting and eye-opening tweets like this. Johnson-Koulianos tweeted that he received an offer to write a book, which will be published next summer.
Prosecutors did not file formal charges of maintaining a drug house against Johnson-Koulianos. The State of Iowa once alleged Johnson-Koulianos was in possession of cocaine, as well as Ambien, Diazepam and Dilauded without prescriptions. He was also charged with possession of Xanex and Promethazene without prescriptions, according to trial information. In addition, he faced charges for possession of marijuana with intent to deliver after police found marijuana, a digital scale and a large amount of cash at his home. On January 24, 2011, Johnson-Koulianos pleaded guilty to marijuana possession. As a result, the other drug charges against him were dismissed. He was granted a deferred judgment and received a year of self-probation, plus a $315 fine.
The Iowa Hawkeyes responded to DJK yesterday with this:
University of Iowa Athletic Department officials are providing the following comment in regards to information circulated on social media outlets earlier this week:
The UI Athletics Department and the Iowa football team are aware of former Iowa student-athlete Derrell Johnson-Koulianos’ recent social media statements.
During his career at Iowa, Mr. Johnson-Koulianos had moments of success on the field. He also made some unfortunate decisions during that period of time.
As we do with all student-athletes, we attempted to assist him and work through the various issues. Unfortunately, his tenure ended with him being suspended from participating in intercollegiate athletics at Iowa due to being in violation of the UI’s Student-Athlete Code of Conduct.
Derrell Johnson-Koulianos went undrafted in the NFL, but was signed by the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League on October 19, 2011. In January 2012, he signed with the Iowa Barnstormers of the Arena Football League. He was released in late February, 2012. He resigned with the Montreal Alouettes on June 5 and was released on June 18th.
Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net, an affiliate of Fox Sports. He’s also an analyst for multiple news talk radio stations across the country; with regular weekly segments on NBC and Fox Sports Radio. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks) and RSS Catch him Tuesdays talking Illini and Northwestern for KOZN 1620 The Zone, Fridays talking Chicago Bears for WAOR 95.7 The Fan