IOWA CITY, Iowa — Chigozie Ejiasi bristles at the term "baby sitter."

Iowa's new director of player development doesn't see himself that way, even if many others do. Hired in September to fill a position created in the wake of numerous off-the-field problems, Ejiasi's official role is to help Iowa's freshmen and sophomores adjust to life as a college football player — and do so without getting in trouble.

That might mean a quick chat with a player, finding him a tutor or setting him up with a mentor. And if Ejiasi has to place a call or two to a bar owner or make the occasional trip to Iowa City's downtown district on a Saturday night, then so be it.

"I've never baby-sitted before or anything like that. This whole situation, it's really just to be a bigger brother to these guys, at the same time to be a dad to these guys also," Ejiasi said. "I'm here for these guys and to help them out any way that I can."

Judging by Iowa's recent problems, Ejiasi will be busy.

The Hawkeyes — by far the most popular team in a state of just over 3 million people and no major pro sports franchises — wound up in the news as much for what they were doing off the field as on it.

In addition to a number of alcohol-related arrests, three cases — all involving underclassmen — stood out.

Wide receivers Anthony Bowman and Dominique Douglas pleaded guilty to credit card fraud last December and left the program. Wide receiver James Cleveland and quarterback Arvell Nelson were booted off the team after being arrested on drug charges in February.

The most serious case involved two now-former players, Abe Satterfield and Cedric Everson, who have been charged with sexually assaulting a female athlete in October 2007 in a residence hall room. They will be tried separately next spring.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, who is well-respected within the state for both his coaching acumen and his humble, hardworking persona, found himself facing as much heat as he had during his 10-year tenure in Iowa City.

Ferentz approached athletic director Gary Barta about how to clean up the program. What they realized was that most of the problems were with their newest players. Ferentz and Barta set out to hire someone who could help players adjust to college, where the academic, social and on-field pressures they face all increase exponentially.

Iowa didn't shy away from the fact that Ejiasi's position was created in response to its off-the-field issues. But Barta is adamant that Ejiasi will be in charge of more than keeping Hawkeyes out of trouble.

Barta said that Iowa is among a small number of Division I programs to create such a position, which he believes will become more prevalent.

"It is so much more broad than getting in trouble and not getting in trouble," Barta said. "It's not set up to be a disciplinary measure. It's just to help the total student-athlete transition."

The 27-year-old Ejiasi appears well-equipped for the role. A former four-year letterman for the Hawkeyes, Ejiasi spent two seasons as an administrative assistant with the team and is well-versed in all that being an Iowa football player entails.

The Hawkeyes haven't had any major conduct issues this season, and they've improved on the field as well.

After going just 12-13 from 2006-07, Iowa finished the regular season at 8-4 and earned a bid to the Outback Bowl to play South Carolina.

"He's a great guy. Players really respect him because first and foremost he is a former player himself," sophomore quarterback Ricky Stanzi said. "He's been through the program; he understands what we've went through. And he's a young cat, too, so he understands a lot of what we're going through."

Ejiasi's role isn't set in stone. Since it's such a new position, Ejiasi's duties will be malleable as both he and the university determine what's working and what isn't.

One thing is certain, though. Ejiasi's knows that Iowa's off-field conduct will play a major role in how he's evaluated.

But Ejiasi insists that his most important task will be preparing the program's young players to handle their new role as a college athlete in the spotlight.

"The message is, you're being watched," Ejiasi said. "You've got to be on point with what you do. At the same time, you're here for academics also, and you can't rely on just football."

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Associated Press writer Nigel Duara in Iowa City, Iowa, contributed to this report.