Iowa Barnstormers cut DJK
The Iowa Barnstormers of the Arena Football League have released former record-breaking University of Iowa receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, general manager John Pettit told WHO-TV on Monday.
The Canadian Football League’s Montreal Alouettes signed Johnson-Koulianos to a contract, and he expects to join them this season.
The player known to Hawkeye fans as DJK was arrested for drug possession before the 2010 Insight Bowl and was later dismissed by coach Kirk Ferentz. Pettit says the Barnstormers had no disciplinary problems or off-field issues with Johnson-Koulianos, and releasing him was strictly a football decision.
Barnstormers coach Mike Hohensee said the short training camp contributed to the decision.
“He wasn’t catching on as quickly to the indoor game as other receivers,” Hohensee said. “If this was outdoor game, he’d still be here. He’ll do well in Montreal. He just wasn’t getting the walls and motion.”
Was behavior or discipline a factor?
“No. Never any confrontational situation at all. He was professional in every way,” Hohensee said. “He thanked me and told me he appreciated the opportunity. In fact, he just sent me another text.”
Johnson-Koulianos told him via text: “Just gettin’ ready for Canada. No issues. All love. Great people in the Barnstormers organization.”
Category: Iowa Hawkeyes Football
