Here’s the timeline of information that GoCoogs has put together about the redshirting of D’Eriq King. We offer original sourcing when possible. This timeline is developing:
In the days leading up to the Tulane game
Eric King calls Chris Pezman to alert him that if UH loses to Tulane, his son D’Eriq is shutting down his season with the intent to redshirt and transfer.
Thursday, September 19, 2019
UH loses to Tulane on a dramatic, last-second play. On UH’s last offensive snap, King’s fade pass to Corbin in the end zone was dropped.
Friday, September 20
Dana Holgorsen says he and D’Eriq sit down with King to discuss the possibility of a redshirt.
Monday, September 23
11:00 a.m. – Dana meets with the media at 11 a.m. Nothing about the plan is revealed. Nothing about King or Corbin is even said in the press conference.
1:52 p.m. – Joseph Duarte breaks the news that D’Eriq King is redshirting
BREAKING NEWS: Source to Houston Chronicle: UH QB D'Eriq King to sit out rest of season, redshirt https://t.co/xsJsCKpCZO via @houstonchron
— Joseph Duarte (@Joseph_Duarte) September 23, 2019
2:01 – Mark Berman tweets comments from Eric King, D’Eriq’s father:
Eric King, father of QB D'Eriq King, confirms his son is leaving @UHCougarFB & transfer: "It's the best decision for him at this point. Very, very tough (decision). He's got a lot of teammates riding on him. Sometimes you got to be a little self-centered & do what's best for u"
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) September 23, 2019
Eric King on his son D'Eriq leaving @UHCougarFB: "You have to do what's in your best interest. As a family, me, D'Eriq & his mom, we decided that's the best thing for him to do right now. https://t.co/gXXWPmbZkd
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) September 23, 2019
2:13 – Berman tweets comments from D’Eriq King. The QB is quoted as saying that he needs to decide if “I want to be here or redshirt.”
King mentions “a bunch of other guys as well” will redshirt.
While his father says he's leaving @UHCougarFB, QB D'Eriq King says his decision is not final: "I've got to go talk to Coach Holgorsen. It's not just me redshirting. It's a bunch of other guys as well." (Asked when he'll make a final decision) "Today, after 5. It's not final." pic.twitter.com/Z6rrcpJE67
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) September 23, 2019
4:19 – Duarte reports that D’Eriq King intends to remain in the program.
JUST IN: Quarterback D’Eriq King plans to redshirt this season and return to University of Houston in 2020, a person close to program tells @HoustonChron pic.twitter.com/ljKXS0Ud2z
— Joseph Duarte (@Joseph_Duarte) September 23, 2019
4:24 – Berman reports that Keith Corbin will also redshirt.
From @UHCougarFB: QB D'Eriq King and WR Keith Corbin will redshirt for the 2019 season with the plan to return next year.
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) September 23, 2019
4:26 – UH emails a statement to members of the media saying King and Corbin
From @UHCougarFB: QB D'Eriq King and WR Keith Corbin will redshirt for the 2019 season with the plan to return next year. pic.twitter.com/dVVxhgScRk
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) September 23, 2019
Tuesday, September 24
UH schedules a press conference for 3:30 p.m. to address the situation. Dana Holgorsen, D’Eriq King, and Keith Corbin are scheduled to speak.
3:30 – Dana opens the press conference by saying he wasn’t ready to comment on the subject on Monday.
3:33 – Duarte confirms that Clayton Tune will start Saturday vs. UNT.
Sophomore Clayton Tune will start at quarterback for Houston on Saturday at North Texas, coach Dana Holgorsen said Tuesday
— Joseph Duarte (@Joseph_Duarte) September 24, 2019
3:33 – Dana says Corbin and King will be involved in the team going forward including meetings and, as for King, as an “awesome sounding board for Clayton Tune.”
3:33 – Brian T. Smith uploads video of Dana saying that he spoke to King and Corbin over the weekend then clarifies that it happened Friday:
Holgorsen pic.twitter.com/9xV8mrU9gL
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) September 24, 2019
3:34 – When asked about people saying they’ve written off the season, Dana says that he “can’t wrap my mind around that.” (Youtube)
3:35 – “We’re not currently in a very good spot” when it comes to competing for championships, Dana says. (Youtube)
3:37 – Asked if he’s had the redshirt conversation with everyone that has not used it, Dana says, “Everybody’s different. Everybody’s different. I’ve had this conversation with a good bit of them.”
3:41 – “I’m not recruiting a transfer because he’s in our program,” Dana says of Clayton Tune.
3:41 – Asked if there’s any concern that another school might “get in (King’s) ear to draw him away,” Dana chuckles and says, “yeah.”
He continues: “He’s a special player and there’s a lot of coaches out there that cheat.” He goes on “All indications are he’s not going in the transfer portal.” (Youtube)
3:43 – Dana on who initiated the conversation: “D’Eriq was pretty upset after the game. So I brought him in first thing on Friday morning and we talked. I presented every option that was available out there.”
3:44 – When asked if any player has been upset about this, Dana says, “No, I don’t think so. I don’t think so.”
3:46 – King says reports of him leaving were fake news.
King: “I’m here.”
Said reports that his he was going to leave UH were fake news.— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) September 24, 2019
3:46 – King says: “I think words might’ve gotten twisted up” in reference to his dad. He declares that “he never said that, I can assure you he never said that” in reference to Berman’s initial two tweets quoting Eric King on Monday.
UH QB @DeriqKing_ responds to reports his Dad said he’s transferring. @UHCougarFB @abc13houston pic.twitter.com/rIz4D3qaNX
— Bob Slovak (@BobSlovak13) September 24, 2019
3:48 – Dayon Dunlap uploads video of King saying he “never thought about leaving, never thought about transferring.”
D’Eriq King on redshirting pic.twitter.com/q0iCYJjW1v
— Da’Yon Dunlap (@DayonDunlap) September 24, 2019
4:37 – Mark Berman uploads video of AD Chris Pezman warning other schools to not attempt to recruit Corbin or King or they will face the consequences.
Chris Pezman, @UHCougarFB VP/athletics, on if UH hears of anyone trying to recruit QB @DeriqKing_ and WR Keith Corbin: “It is against NCAA rules to reach out to those kids. They’re not in the transfer portal and we”ll be very aggressive with anybody that does.” pic.twitter.com/bR51B4lvKl
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) September 24, 2019
Saturday, September 28
Clayton Tune leads the Cougars to a 46-25 win over UNT in Denton. Tune is hurt late in the game on a 55-yard run.
Early in the bye week
Offensive lineman Justin Murphy physically confronts King over the redshirting decision. At least one player described it as a fight. Murphy is suspended.
October 10
In a somewhat-misleading tweetstorm, Justin Murphy announces that he is leaving the program.
My name is Justin Murphy. And according to sources I am no longer apart of the 2019 Houston Cougar Football Senior Class. A senior class that is the first group to experience a head coach and administration to actively tank a football season. (THREAD)
— Justin Murphy (@JMurphy_73) October 11, 2019
December 12
D’Eriq King graduates from UH.
Later in December
King applies for post-baccalaurate studies at UH. His intention is to do online-only classes.
January 12, 2020
D’Eriq King removes himself from a team-wide group-text that he leads. He assigned another player to lead it.
January 13, 2020
Under the cover of the national championship game, or perhaps using the game to amplify his decision and get more publicity, King announces that he has entered the transfer portal.
I’ve entered the portal I think it’s best for me and my family!
— King (@DeriqKing_) January 14, 2020
Less than 20 minutes later, Dana Holgorsen signals that he has moved on:
LFG!!!
— Dana Holgorsen (@Holgorsendana) January 14, 2020
January 16, 2020
D’Eriq King travels to Miami to visit The U.
January 20, 2020
A day after news broke that he’d committed to Miami, King makes it public.
Story is still being written… LETS GO! #TheU ?? pic.twitter.com/NLjL9FzUuW
— King (@DeriqKing_) January 20, 2020