Michigan University the most successful program in college football history in terms of wins was found to have violated this rule and was put on probation by the NCAA. Did keeping players more than 20 hours per week help Michigan and their football staff? I would have to say no as Rich Rodriguez was fired following the 2010 season. I am not saying he and his staff were fired for keeping players more than 20 hours per week, I am just saying no competitive advantage was gained. However, there is always a shade of gray in collegiate athletics. Coaches can only make 20 hours per week mandatory. Though can suggest players come watch extra film on their own, get an extra lift on their own, etc.
So should there be a 20 hour rule? Yes, without question there should be a limit on the amount of time a staff can be with players though I think it could be increased to 25-27 hours per week. Doing so would less the stress on both players and coaches would always feel rushed as 20 hours does not provide a great deal of time to prepare for a practices and a game each week. Though remember who you are asking a guy who aspires to be a college head coach.
Ian,
ReplyDeleteYou have some great insight on this topic. I am also on the coaching side and I completely agree that there needs to be some set number of hours per week. Otherwise, coaches would keep players around the clock. Not because coaches are bad people but like you said- coaches need to win for job security. Student-athletes need time for academics not to mention sleep, family, and time for other personal stuff. Along with the 20 coaching hours, players already go above and beyond. Team captains can coordinate team activities such as: weight lifting, team workouts, open gym, etc. Basketball is different than football because we deal with a smaller number, so I’m not sure what the right number is. You would know a lot better than me. But there definitely needs to be a number so the kids don’t get taken advantage of. Just because Michigan is one of the only teams that got caught doesn’t mean Michigan is one of the only teams doing it!
I can definitely understand both sides of this issue--although I coached at a school that was in the NAIA and not the NCAA. It seems to me that this would be difficult to prove, since I doubt that players would be forthcoming to speak against the coach. A former grad student experienced this at Ohio Northern and he wrote an autoethnography about it for his project. I was planning to share it with you, because I think it will be especially useful for what you want to do, Ian.
ReplyDeleteDr. Spencer,
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading your former grad students project. I also agree that student-athletes would be less than likely to be forthcoming regarding coaches forcing them to stay past the regulated 20 hours per week. Though I am now realizing that with the costs of tutition at schools and the opportunity to attend college I do not find it out of question to keep student athletes beyond the 20 hours a week. Further, it most good programs you do not have to keep kids rather they come back on their own and want to get better and ensure a successful team and season. Megan I completely agree that a majority of programs violate the hours limit and as you mentioned Michigan just got caught. However, I do know now that they operate at exactly 19 hours and 50 minutes per week just to be safe.
Thank you both for your comments.
Ian- Its amazing having the perspectives that you and I have as we were players and now are on the opposite side. While I do agree with the fact that coaches need to abide by the 20 hour rule, it is impossible to think that that is all a team needs to be prepared for an upcoming opponent. In a profession the blurred lines and rules are often crossed i can honestly see how a program like the University of Michigan could go over the maximum 20 hours.
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