The situation surrounding Iowa running back Marcus Coker continues to be vague, but it sounds as though the Big Ten’s second-leading rusher will return to the school for spring semester.
According to the Iowa City Gazette, and citing a source with knowledge of the situation, Coker will be back with Iowa and potentially reinstated to the team.
Coker was suspended for last night’s Insight Bowl -- a 31-14 loss to Oklahoma -- due to an unspecified violation of the school’s Code of Conduct policies. Such a violation warrants an appeal process if the athlete wants to be reinstated. There is currently no timetable set for such an appeal.
But Iowa has maintained the option to return is there for Coker.
“Yes, the invitation is there for him to come back,” Iowa athletic director Gary Barta said on Wednesday. “We’ll let this play out and see what happens.”
Coker was essentially the Hawkeyes’ running game this season, collecting 1,384 yards and 15 touchdowns.