NCAA should ban coaching hires until bowl season ends

An open letter to Dr. Mark Emmert, President of the NCAA:

As the ex-President of the University of Washington, congratulations on your recent Apple Cup victory. Those words are very difficult to say, coming from this loyal WSU Alumnus. However, in your current role as President of the NCAA, it seems like an appropriate moment in time to reach out to you.

   The recent headlines about your ex-UW football coach leaving for greener pastures at USC struck a common nerve. Let’s just call it another case of “football coaching dominos.” And this is one board game that no one likes to play. Unfortunately, we all know how it goes: Your team just won its last game of the regular season. Everyone’s thrilled about that upcoming bowl appearance. But almost before you’ve finished your celebratory toast, your head coach “suddenly disappears for the weekend.” Ugghh. A couple days later, you confirm he’s accepted a position at another university, for more money and greater opportunity. The bubble is burst.

   Certainly we can all appreciate the merits of the free market system. And coaches definitely have the right to negotiate on behalf of their own self-interest. But who the heck is looking out for the best interests of the athletes, and what “life lessons” are we teaching them? After all, isn’t the coach the leader of the team? Surely your executive committee can empathize with the students, alumni and other fans who feel abandoned each year. It’s about damned time someone spoke up on behalf of all these stakeholders…all across the country.  And Dr. Emmert (ahem) that someone should be you. We’re asking your NCAA executive committee to lead by example on this one. Consider this a public cry to do something truly bold and courageous.

   So what’s the solution? How about implementing a “fall hiring moratorium” for football coaches? The proposed moratorium could begin halfway through the season and end after the last college bowl game of the season. During the moratorium, no recruiting or interviewing of any kind may take place. The day after the end of the season it’s back to normal and all restrictions disappear. This simple solution would be fair to all colleges and universities across the board. And it surely has benefits for all stakeholders and fans.

   I’m sure there are a few higher priority issues that the NCAA needs to address. But solving this problem could at least be a consensus-gaining notch in your belt.   Not to mention, when you see something wrong, you should speak out and try to fix it.  It’s a concept called leadership. Let’s hope you and your NCAA executive committee can rise to the leadership challenge on this one.