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Pac-12 notebook: Coaches think legalization of sports betting could be a risky gamble

Stanford head coach David Shaw speaks at the Pac-12  Football Media Day in Los Angeles on Wednesday. (Jae C. Hong / AP)

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – It was a safe bet that the subject of sports gambling, and how it might bleed into college athletics in the near future, would be a popular talking point Wednesday at Pac-12 Football Media Day.

Sports betting has become a pervasive topic since the Supreme Court ruled in May that individual states have the freedom to regulate gambling. Legalize it or don’t legalize it – that decision is in the states’ hands, and three have already chosen to do the former: Delaware, New Jersey and Nevada.

So what’s the direct impact on college football and the Pac-12? With the legalization of sports gambling, college coaches could be encouraged – or even required – to provide weekly player availability reports, or in more simpler terms, injury reports.

That could make things fuzzy in an era in which many coaches prefer to keep such intel concealed – for the protection of their players and to ensure no advantage is given away during planning or preparation.

“I’m not going to reveal injuries, even if I’m qualified to, until I’m forced,” Washington State coach Mike Leach said. “And they might force me. I doubt it. But they might, and if they do, then I’ll try to figure out a way around it.”

Stanford coach David Shaw, who spent nine years as a position coach in the NFL, held steadfast to his belief that injury reports don’t belong in the college game, insisting medical information of young adults shouldn’t be made available to the public.

“I would not be comfortable with that,” Shaw said. “… There is a stark difference between working with professionals and working with college kids. I do not feel right giving out medical information of a 19-year-old. I think it’s wrong in any way, shape or form.

“If there’s something the young man and his family wants to release, that’s up to him. It’s his health. But as far as institutionally talking about a young person’s health, we have HIPAA laws that prohibit that. I think it’s wrong, it’s unnecessary, and I think it would be catering towards the gambling and the betting, which we can’t, in my opinion, do that.”

Rule changes

Kick returns and redshirts: NCAA rule changes involving both topics were discussed at length during the proceedings.

Beginning in 2018, players are allowed to “fair catch” kick returns inside the 25-yard line and the ball will be moved up to the 25-yard line, like it would be for a touchback received in the end zone.

“I think there is a huge push from guys like me and a lot of coaches around America that don’t want to see the end of the kickoff,” said Shaw, who’s had some of the country’s best returners during his time on The Farm – Ty Montgomery, Christian McCaffrey and Chris Owusu, to name three. “I love kickoff and kickoff return. I really do.”

The NCAA also passed legislation this offseason that allows redshirting players to appear in up to four games without forfeiting their eligibility. Pac-12 coaches like the modification.

“To me, it’s comforting. It really is,” Washington’s Chris Petersen said. “It’s like we can do what’s right for the kids. We’re not going to get ourselves into a situation where, like, your game – whatever it is – 8, and we’re like, holy smokes, we need to play this guy.”

“It approaches five years of eligibility, which I’ve always thought would make things very simple, would be a smart way to do things,” Leach said. “It would eliminate a portion of the rule book.”

Fresh meat

Five conference schools introduced new head coaches this season. Excluding Chip Kelly, an old pro at the annual gathering, all made their debuts.

Kelly, the former Oregon maestro, is taking over for Jim Mora at UCLA. Ex-Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin replaces Rich Rodriguez at Arizona. Jonathan Smith, most recently the offensive coordinator at Washington, enters year No. 1 at Oregon State. Mario Cristobal was elevated at Oregon, replacing Willie Taggart, and Herm Edwards left his NFL analyst booth to takes the reins at Arizona State.

“Football is cyclical,” Cristobal said. “Sometimes conferences run into that when you have a good number of coaches that are new in the conference. I look at the level and their pedigree and where they’ve been and what they’ve done.”

Update on Huskies’ Bryant

An injured knee will preclude talented Washington tight end Hunter Bryant from opening the season and it’s unclear if, and when, the Huskies will get their Freshman All-American back.

“He’s not going to be ready at the start of the season,” Petersen said. “May end up being his redshirt year, especially with the four games that we can play.

“But he will not be ready at the start of the season.”

Bryant was the Huskies’ third-leading receiver last fall, with 22 catches for 331 yards and one touchdown.