I feel bad for Ryan Mallett.
He made a four-year commitment to Lloyd Carr, just like Pat White made a four-year commitment to Rich Rodriguez.
Now both quarterbacks, along with numerous other players throughout the country, have had their careers drastically altered by the whims of a head coach, administration, or booster club.
We hold teenagers to a higher standard of commitment than the grown men and women who lead their teams and athletic departments. Michigan is free to force Carr into retirement. Rodriguez is free to break a newly-extended contract. Mallett is forced to stay, or transfer and sit out a year.
What if the same rule applied to coaches? Can you imagine an interim head coach handling a BCS conference program like Michigan for an entire season while the Wolverines wait a year for Rodriguez to clear transfer waivers?
Ann Arbor, how would you like your chances in Columbus in 2009 with a figure head on the sideline?
The brutal reality is that Mallett appears to be one of the top freshman signal callers in the country... and he'll never play for Rodriguez, who's already actively recruiting a quarterback who'll be a better fit for his spread offense.
The transfer rules are well-intentioned and necessary. But they're also in dire need of amendment.
If a head coach leaves a program or is terminated, players should be allowed to apply for a transfer without penalty. If a player needs to change schools for personal or academic reasons, he should be afforded the same opportunity.
You'll notice I'm not advocating a blanket policy whereby every Michigan and West Virginia football player would become a free agent next season.
The NCAA has a thorough vetting process for regulating redshirt seasons and additional years of eligibility. Transfer cases should be handled with the same appreciation for individual circumstances.
The NCAA has the power and the resources to ensure that transferring doesn't become a rampant problem in college football. That authority should also be used to ensure that players' careers are protected from overly-ambitious coaches and athletic departments.
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6 months ago
I completely agree withyou. It is appalling that these coaches are allowed to just up and leave on a wimb and the kids have to stay behind and either play for a guy they don't want to play for or transfer and lose a year. I also cannot believe these coaches just leav the players to fend for themselves in a bowl game. Rodriguez should have at least had the descency to stay and coach WVU in the Fiesta like Carr did for his boys. He at least had the clas to leave his job a winner unlike Rodriguez. www.buckeyetopia.com
6 months ago
Anon., the thing Mallett did not know, and could not have known, was that Michigan would hire a new coach with such a different offensive philosophy. Heck, in this topsy-turvy year, with a few lucky bounces Michigan could have been playing in the national title game. One of Carr's assistants would likely have replaced him, and preserved the scheme that Mallett was recruited to play for.
Trey's point is that, through no fault of his own, Mallett is now stuck in a system that doesn't really fit the talents that he was recruited for in the first place.
from 6 months ago
Unfortunately, I had to delete the post that this comment references because it was unnecessarily obscene. To summarize, the criticism was that I was the only sports commentator who didn't see Carr's firing/resignation/retirement coming. Therefore, it's my problem, not Malletts that he's not with the Wolverines anymore.
In response, my contention has little to do with Carr leaving and everything to do with the new system coming in. How is an 18 year old kid supposed to make that projection when making a college choice. Give me a break. My point is that if Rodriguez doesn't fit Mallett's style, he should be able to reevaluate college programs without penalty.
Secondly, even though the comment that I didn't see Carr's departure coming was inane... I'd like to reference an article I wrote 4 months ago:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1829-College_Football-Florida_Gators_Football-LSU_Football-Texas_Longhorns_Football-Bleacher_Report_s_College_Football_Top25_Preseason-290807
"Beat Ohio State. Win a BCS game. Or make a change.
The Big Ten favorites have to get over the hump this season to restore the integrity of their coach, program and conference.
Lloyd Carr has lost five of six to Tressel and the Buckeyes. He’s lost five of the last six bowl games, including four in a row. And because the Wolverines weren’t alone in BCS bowl embarrassment back in January, the Big Ten’s reputation needs some rebuilding.
Replacing seven defensive starters is a tall task—but one that Carr’s nemesis managed quite seamlessly last season in Columbus. The Wolverines have a Heisman frontrunner at running back in Mike Hart and another one under center, Chad Henne.
It’s now or never."
6 months ago
anon-
if your six year old daughter is dropping f-bombs maybe you have more to worry about then an article on bleacher report
6 months ago
Good article Trey. The kids in college football make schools and advertisers tons of money, but in a situation like this they are really restricted by the NCAA. Set them free!
6 months ago
I believe Mallet's going to stay. He ran a spread style offense in high school. There are many versions of the spread. Just because it's a spread offense doesn't mean it's a spread option run offense. He'll be just fine spreading the field with 4 wide and lighting defenses up.
6 months ago
Good article Trey...I'm with you that Mallett now has a decision to make. But before all of us go questioning the NCAA policies, let's look at Auburn's situation first. Their O.C. resigned, so they went out and found one to fit their young talent (Kodi Burns, Fannin, Lester, Tate, and Co.) Tony Franklin(the new O.C.) will fit in perfectly with the talent already there...as well as bring in more. They hired a coach according to their skill set.
So, why didn't Michigan do the same? I'm not too familiar with their entire roster, but I know about the Mallett situation that the article speaks of. I also know that Long is gone and Hart is gone...and I believe Manningham is, too. So, when there isn't a Pat White-type QB on Michigan's roster, why go out to drastically change the entire system based strictly on the hopes of landing big time HS recruit Terrelle Pryor? It just seems like a big risk to me.
As well as looking at the NCAA, we should look at Michigan's boosters/A.D. Not for "pushing" Carr out of his job, but for hiring outside of their skill set that currently exists on their roster. I'm sure Rodriguez will do fine in the long run, but he's not going to run the exact same offense as he did at WVU, at least not this first year. That's just my take.
-R.H.
6 months ago
Everyone on EARTH knew that Lloyd Carr wouldn't be around for 4 more years, including Mallett. I think that the author's the only one that didn't know this. To say that Mallett somehow got shafted or he's stuck there through no fault of his own is extremely and retardedly idiotic. He could've gone somewhere with a more stable coaching situation, but chose not to. He's a big boy. He can deal with it.
6 months ago
Hey Trey - how bout you let Rich Rodriguez decide if Mallett's a good fit for his offense. Or are you more qualified to say so than he is? Seems like you're implying that you'd know better than DickRod.
As was mentioned - Mallett was 100% aware that Lloyd Carr *might not* be there for four years - Do you agree or disagree with this statement? He made an EDUCATED choice - he didn't pick Michigan out of a hat with a blindfold on.
6 months ago
Again, whether or not he thought Carr would be there for 4 years is irrelevant. Hell, if Mallett wants to stay and play for RRod, great... that still doesn't change my point.
IF there's a coaching change at a school and IF a player doesn't feel comfortable in the program anymore as a result, he should be able to apply with the NCAA to transfer without penalty.
Mallett is just a high profile, current example of a broader reality that I'm addressing.
6 months ago
I understand your point, and will agree with your argument.
However Ryan Mallett wasn't the best example in my opinion. As mentioned Lloyd Carr was not sticking around 4 years. He picked Michigan based on the fact it's Michigan. That and he is probably going to stay, and Rodriguez is probably going to adjust to him.
They do need to change the rules somehow though.
6 months ago
Trey - your goofy idea provides a HUGE loophole for ANYBODY to transfer without penalty after a coaching change. All they have to do is say "I don't feel comfortable here anymore" - This has the potential to cause absolute chaos at up to 15-18 programs every single year.
Not gonna happen. Nor should it. They're big boys - they made big boy decisions.
6 months ago
Are u serious? I hope Michigan does get the #1 QB out of H.S. We need a dual threat type of guy. We definetly can use a Vince Young type Q.B with speed. It's time we beat OSU and I believe if we land him its the beginning of something special. If Mallett can't get it done so be it, he can move on.
6 months ago
Good article Trey. I will agree that changes in coaching regimes often screw over the athletes playing there. But in my opinion that I think it would be hard to distinguish whether a player was "abandoned" and is deserving of a waive of his transfer year.
Coaching changes were made at other schools where the new systems may not adjust well with the current players. Paul Johnson may want a more mobile QB than Taylor Bennett at GT. RRod may want someone like Pryor at QB instead of Mallett. Houston Nutt is all kinds of crazy so who knows what drastic changes he'll make at Ole Miss. Bobby Petrino will most likely overhaul the Wildcat formation and anything else associated with the old program at Arkansas.
My point is, in multiple instances, other players are probably getting screwed just as much as Ryan Mallett. Unfortunately, that is a reality with college coaches jumping ship earlier and earlier for greener pastures. I feel bad for guys like Mallett who probably have to transfer due to changes in coaching schemes, but it'd be tough to give him an exception because everyone would deserve that same exception and individual evaluation. It wouldn't be realistic to look at hundreds of athlete's transfer eligibility on a case-by-case basis. but thats just IMO.
On a related note, don't you think Mallett would be a great fit at Arkansas with the evil Petrino? He'd be guaranteed to start right away and would probably thrive in that offense.
6 months ago
If any of you know the rules of ncaa football, Mallett will not have to sit out if he transfered. The head coach that recruited and he played for is no longer the coach there. So he can go if he likes and won't have to sit out a year or lose a year. He is free to go.
from 6 months ago
That's not at all true.
6 months ago
Mallett did not commit to Lloyd Carr alone. He committed to the University of Michigan. He also committed with the full knowledge of the inevitability that Lloyd would retire within the next two seasons. Hell, every coach who recruited against Michigan made that argument against Lloyd as part of their recruitment. The idea that Mallett was blindisded by Lloyd's retirement is baseless and lame.
Kids transfer all the time and are doing so in increasing fashion due to their primadonna treatment and attitude toward playing time, touches, practice routines and "perks" (or lack of them). Removing the penalty for transferring would only reinforce this behavior and create a free agent culture inc ollege athletics, which is already a shell of what it used to be anyway.
If Mallett chooses to transfer, he knows the rules. He should have to live with them, just like anyone else.
Funny how rumors start spreading about UCLA and Mallett and then suddenly you're compelled to make this argument. Specious, self serving fan drivel. Senior writer? Get a blog.
from 6 months ago
Diddo ... he'll have to sit one year.
Mallett has a great arm .. but, well, being able to land the top-rated QB to run your offense is something you cannot pass o n. Anyo ne who saw Terrelle
Pryor in the U.S Army game ... well, nuff said?
marko from Indy
6 months ago
I think your suggestion about the transfer rule is putting the cart before the horse. The whole idea behind an athlete receiving a grant in aid is to obtain a degree from that particular college or university, while using their athletic skills along the way. These schools enter an agreement with the student athlete to provide them with a quality, and I might add, expensive education, in return for the student's athletic prowess on the field or court. Athletic scholarships are not given out with the intent that the athlete can pick up and leave after one year if things didn't exactly go their way. This includes coaching changes. Coaching changes happen. What would college football look like if every kid that has played for Nick Saban were allowed to transfer just because he took a new job? You need to be sure that you don't open a floodgate when a little adjustment may be all thats needed to correct a problem.
Now, do I believe that the NCAA needs to liberalize its transfer rule a bit? Sure. Sometimes there are very real and valid reasons why a student athlete would want to transfer. As you stated, those could be handled on a case by case basis. But to simply say that student athletes can leave just because a coach leaves, is not the answer. Coaches have valid reasons for leaving as well.
6 months ago
Players have 4-year scholarships and should honor them and coaches should be given year-to-year contracts instead of all of these contract extensions with multi-million dollars buyout clauses. It worked for JoePa at Penn State for decades. As long as he produced (wins as well as graduation rates) there was no problem for him holding onto his job. How was he able to recruit the athletes he got without them knowing he would be there the next year. You sell the football program, the institution and the academics, not the coach or the assistant coach. Kids are too coddled nowadays. Appreciate your free 4-year degree.
from 6 months ago
I believe scholarships are one year renewable, so if a coach wants to dump a kid after one year he can. Don't understand why an adult can SIGN a legal contract, then just because he gets a better offer he can bail but the kids he recruits are stuck. If the kid wants to stay great but if he feels he was misled he should have the same rights as the coach who left.
6 months ago
Amen! College is not pre-Professional, it's there for an EDUCATION! I don't care if you're the best quarterback in the world, the reason you should be going to college is for a higher education. Hell, look at Broadway Joe, even he realized that and went back to school and just recently walked. Congrats to him. Hopefully the youths of our college athletic programs will take what he did to heart and STAY in school for the degree. If you're good, the money will be there when you graduate. Then you have a fallback for when you eventually receive a career ending injury in the pro's.
6 months ago
Get your facts straight. Lloyd Carr was not forced into retirement. Had Bo not convinced him to return following the 2004 season Carr would have called it a career then. The same goes for the 2006 season except it was Bill Martin (you know,the guy that would be responsible for firing him) who had to convince Carr to return. So following the 2007 season when his 4 year starting QB, RB, and 2-time All-American tackle are all done he decides to do what he wanted to a couple years ago. His career is something to celebrate and it is irritating that hacks like you have to insist it was something other than his own decision. Yeah, there were some Michigan fans that wanted him out, but they were a minority. Most would have welcomed him back in 2008.
6 months ago
by Poppy
I think Ryan ought to stay!!! He is obviously looking 3-4 years down the NFL road and wondering if this is the right path. I feel Coach Rod has a new look for him and he will broaden Ryan's skills so he is not just another "stay in the pocket" QB. The spread is going to become more popular in the pro's with all the popularity it is gaining at the college level. Versital QB's are going to be the thing. If Ryan can widen his abilities under Coach Rod, he should stay. Coach has already told him he wants him to stay and there is more than one way to "skin a cat" in his offense. He also shouldn't base his decision on wheather another QB is being convented...he is going to see that the rest of his football career. So to Ryan I say....you have a well respected coach who knows what he is doing, stay and learn from him, widen your skills and become a versital QB for the NFL. Michigan has been a QB school for the NFL and it is not going to change.
6 months ago
Mr. Bradley, I completely agree with your first sentence. I do feel bad for Ryan Mallett. I feel this, however, not because there is a coaching change, but because of a system change. I believe these things are quite different. Strong football programs provide some stability, which is a representative of their universities. One thing I want to remind you of is that recruits get scholarships from the universities, not the head coaches.
I may be wrong with this, but, to me, it seems that when recruits decide to which school they want to commit, they consider: a)loyalty to a certain school b)a tradition of winning c)a tradition of sending players to the NFL d)a desire to create a tradition of winning e)where their best fit is/where they will get to play f)a balance between education and the above. This might not be all the reasons, or possibly any of the reasons. This is just how I see it.
Now I think a player like Mallett might choose Michigan because the reasons b, c, e, and f. Things like b, c, and f, are things that are at the university's full control, not the head coach's. Things like the traditions of winning and getting players into the NFL are attributes of a football program, not a single head coach. Football programs are created by universities in order to create and uphold these traditions because they are goals these universities wish to achieve. The university has control in who it selects to mold its football program. The university obviously also has the control in its student's education.
What remains is the reason e of which the university has only some control because other issues, like continuing a tradition of winning, could preempt reason e. This is where the big issue arises; it is hard for recruits to accurately assess where their best fit truly is without knowing what the system will be for their entire tenure. A university decides how it will mold its program during a coaching change by finding its best fit for a coach. Sometimes, to maintain a tradition of winning, it requires a change of coach that affects the old system to the point where some current players are not as well suited for the new one.
This is why I feel bad for Ryan Mallett. He fit in perfectly with the traditional Michigan QB. Even if Mallett expected Lloyd Carr to retire during his time at Michigan, he probably would have expected Michigan to hire a coach that embodied Michigan football (in the style of a Michigan Man). Instead Michigan hires Rich Rodriguez who is the "father of the spread offense" and seems to like mobile QBs. I'm not saying a player like Mallett couldn't thrive in a spread, it is just against his expectations. His expectations of being provided a place to showcase his NFL potential (while *hopefully* winning college championships) now have to be changed.
The thing is, recruits are getting their scholarships from universities when they say they want to play for a certain schools. They are not really receiving scholarships from the head coaches who recruit them. It really is the football program that they are committing to. This is why I believe that recruits need to consider the football program more than the coach when deciding their fates. Players need to recognize that coaches tend to change, and the football program is what should be focused on. Now when the program and its system change, that just sucks.
6 months ago
So, what if a guy like Mallett goes to Michigan, dosen't start, and transfers somewhere else. When he gets to the new school and id allowed to play right away but dosen't start would he be free to transfer again after that and keep doing it until he finds a place he can play right away?
I think that recruits need to make there decisions based on the school not the coach especially in todays age. What if Rich Rodriguez leaves Michigan after 2 or 3 years and all the talent has been allowed to transfer somewhere else? I say leave the rules as is otherwise you will have kids transferring all over the place.
from 6 months ago
The NCAA would not rubber stamp an application to transfer based on "not playing."
6 months ago
"let's look at Auburn's situation first. Their O.C. resigned, so they went out and found one to fit their young talent (Kodi Burns, Fannin, Lester, Tate, and Co.) Tony Franklin(the new O.C.) will fit in perfectly with the talent already there...as well as bring in more. They hired a coach according to their skill set.
So, why didn't Michigan do the same?"
Your missing the point of a HEAD COACH here. The head coach is in charge of the entire program. He decides what offense, spread, pro style, triple option, west coast. He also chooses what defense he wants to run 4-4, 4-3, 3-4, split 50. Auburn's head coach hired an offensive coordinator that had the same offensive philosophy.
Bill Martin Michigan's athletic director would never be able to find a qualified coach who would be willing to come to Michigan and run a predetermined offense and defense. Any head coach who did that would be a puppet of the AD and a laughing stock in the coaching circle.
"why go out to drastically change the entire system based strictly on the hopes of landing big time HS recruit Terrelle Pryor?"
I can guarantee you Bill Martin did not hire Rodriguez just so he can land Terrelle Pryor. He hired Rodriguez because Rodriguez is the type of person he wants running Michigan's football program for years to come. An atletic director hires a head coach because they share the smae principles, values and ethics as the AD. They hire a head coach with the intent of being there for many years to come not just long enough to coach the current roster (unless they hire Nick Saban or Bobby Patrino then all bets are off).
6 months ago
This is the first I heard of "Michigan is free to force Carr into retirement." I didn't realize Carr was forced to resign. Here I thought Carr planned his retirement last year. You know when he talked Michigan into giving all his assistant coaches guarantee pay for the 2008 season. Seems like he was looking out for his staff when he retired in case the new coach fired them. So once again, where did this "Michigan is free to force Carr into retirement" come from. The Senior Writer label must mean a senior in high school.
6 months ago
He's a senior in the mentally retarded class, Chu. So much of his article is stupid drivel, it shouldn't be taken seriously.
6 months ago
Well this is the Bleacherreport (beta)... a site I never heard of until my hometown newspaper linked to this article. Thus it is easy to question the legitimacy of the 'senior level' status for Trey. Regardless I think we can deduce that this article wasn't well thought out, I have not read every comment, but has anyone thought about the abuse that could be utilized if 'free' transfers were allowed.
Imagine a coach moving to another program and his players allowed to 'freely' transfer to the new school with him. Thus players become little more like free agents. Schools could find their programs cannabalized by coaches leaving for their own personal reasons. If Mallett was free to transfer away from Michigan what would stop Rich Rodriguez from asking Pat White, Noel Devine, Steve Slaton, etc, to transfer to Michigan. The logistics of handling this by 'case by case' basis would be a monstrosity, and could you limit a kids choice to not include a school that his former coach transferred to?
Although I do feel Ryan Mallett has found himself between a rock and a hard place, sitting out a year doesn't mean that his development will be stunted. This is equivelant of having a 'redshirt' year. Also ponder what would happen if Ryan Mallett transfers to a new school, and then next year that coach is fired, retires, or finds a new job. Suddenly we will have a system of mercenary players.
Note that a change in football would then require the NCAA to change rules for other sports. Now imagine the impact on college sports as a whole.
from 6 months ago
"You'll notice I'm not advocating a blanket policy whereby every Michigan and West Virginia football player would become a free agent next season. "
... thanks for not noticing.
6 months ago
Anonymous - I agree with you, Trey is an absolute moron for writing this article. Well put.
6 months ago
"If you think Carr's decision was made independently, you're naive."
Trey, that's an awfully insulting thing to say about Carr. So I'm sure you would never state something like that without loads of evidence to back it up......
We're waiting....
6 months ago
Trey,
You've obviously struck a nerve with your article. Since several folks have used broad strokes to call you a moron I'll use some in return. Anyone who doesn't see the merit in revisiting the antiquated transfer rules the NCAA has in place is a moron. Kids...and they are kids...make a decision to attend a program based on the program as a whole and anyone who does not believe that the coach is a huge part of that 'big-boy' decision is also a moron. Last and not least, since articles like this are your opinion rather than commandments you are handing down from on high, people who call you a moron...well...they're morons. First amendment...read it, learn it, love it. Good article.
6 months ago
The irony is that Rich Rodriguez doesn't even WANT Ryan Mallett. Rest assured, he's not recruiting Terrelle Pryor to be Mallett's backup for the next three years. Now, he might not get Pryor, but everyone in the world knows that if Mallett is playing next year, it'll only be because Rodriguez didn't get the guy he really wanted.
That's a far cry from where Mallett would have been, had Carr or a "Carr-like" successor been in place next year. I'm sure that when Mallett was recruited, coaches stressed the school's tradition of continuity. Otherwise, they couldn't have recruited my grandmother, much less Ryan Mallett.
Well, Michigan has decided to change directions, for perfectly valid reasons that no one anticipated. No one penalizes Michigan for changing to a new system, which would obviously be ludicrous. So, why penalize the player who no longer fits that system?
from 6 months ago
Who's to say he doesn't fit the system. What system? The spread offense? There is more than one way to run the spread. All they need is a quick rb(MCguffie), wr's who can make plays in space(Manningham, Matthews, Stonum), and a smart qb that can read defenses(Mallett). Just because he's bringing the spread does not mean that it has to be a mirror image of WVU.
6 months ago
If folks are worried that an incoming coach would bring his top starts with him, then maybe the rules should be changed to force coaches to sit out a year as well... :)
Yes, that's offered tongue-in-cheek, and can never be implemented for obvious reasons.
Bottom line is, the current system unfairly penalizes players (and potentially limits their already short earning years in their chosen career) and I think that was the point of Trey's piece. It's created some pretty good who-gets-the-next-round? chat on here, which is the mark of a good column.
6 months ago
Trey, I agree with your main point that the transfer rules are unfair to players, but I think you could have made it without running down coaches for changing jobs. I doubt Rich Rodriguez made the decision to go to Michigan on a "whim." Coaching football is a job, and everyone deserves the right to make the career choices that are best for him and his family. If a CEO moved to a different company, or you accepted a job writing for another publication, no one would be morally outraged. The villain here isn't the coaches, it's the system that punishes players when coaching changes inevitably occur.
On a side note, there's no evidence that Carr was "force[d] into retirement." When another poster brought this up, you called him naive, still without backing up your claim. I can understand that amidst the general win-at-all costs clamor in college football, and knowing how important the Michigan-OSU rivalry is to both sides, you would assume that Carr was under fire from the Athletic Department; but I think you'd be wrong. Believe it or not, Michigan has a track record of valuing integrity and class over wins, sometimes to the despair of fans. Just look at Tommy Amaker's excruciating run as basketball head coach. It was widely believed that Carr would retire after this year, regardless of win-loss record. After the season, many reports indicated that he played a major role in the search for a new coach. All the available evidence points to the fact that Carr was and is a valued and respected person in the Athletic Department.
6 months ago
I think I'd have to say I'm naive with respect to kids being recruited by universities. I understand the coach is the main ambassador for that university, but I still haven't seen a press conference where a kid says he can't wait to play for the University of Rich Rodriquez! I'm down here in New Orleans and I can't wait for my kid to play at Les Miles State! Fact of the matter is a lot of these kids, and their parents for that matter, use these schools as a jumping off point to the NFL (witness Darren McFadden's mama's comments before the Cotton Bowl). They use the school for exposure and get a scholarship out of the deal. Then they get pissed when they think they're being used. They are - no doubt about that. The real world sucks sometime. I say let them transfer if they don't like the new coach. Hell, if a student went to a school because a certain professor was teaching scientific approaches to third-world basket weaving and that professor left the student could easily pack up and head to another university. No scholarship involved there, more than likely. Let's see how fast these athletes want to transfer if the NCAA says "fine, go ahead. You just don't get another scholarship".
6 months ago
I believe that coach Rodriguez is a good enough football coach to taylor his offense around the talents of Ryan Mallett.This Pryor kid is a joke. He had WVU on his list until coach Rod went to Michigan. That's the only reason why Pryor is even considering Michigan. To tell you the truth, as a Michigan fan, I don't want the kid. Yeah, he's the best high school player in the country, but by the looks of him in the all american game, he's no team player. There is no option with him. The only option is to run. Plus, he's arrogant as he can be. He showed up to the game wearing a Michigan sweatshirt and had a buckeye on his helmet. He's playing games. If coach Rod is trying hard to get Pryor, it's a mistake that most likely will come back and blow up in his face. I understand that he's the coach now, but so far, I don't care for his decisions. Michigan is not West Virginia. No matter how hard he tries to make it that way. Maybe I'm wrong. I hope I'm wrong(for Michigan's sake).
5 months ago
I guess I didn't rebute a statement like 'not advocating a blanket policy' bluntly when saying that the "logistics of handling this by 'case by case' basis would be a montrosity". I understand you are suggesting that the NCAA should determine each players case individually, but that would create a huge legal dilemna. Is the NCAA going to determine your transfer validity based on if you were a 5 star player in High School? Or maybe they can create a list of the top 10 players and only they could transfer with a 'no year loss'. No requirements based on Football could be made to say one player deserves a 'no year loss' transfer. The rejection of one player over another would open the NCAA to litigation. Just because you say "I'm not advocating a blanket policy" doesn't negate the fact that suggesting that some players deserve a 'no year loss' transfer would require a 'blanket policy' to preserve fairness to all student atheletes. I guess in the end I should just have realized you wanted to state there was a problem, not that you have a solution. A problem that's obvious to anyone that follows college football. I guess I should have stopped reading the article after "I feel bad for Ryan Mallett." because that should have indicated this was all fluff and butter.
5 months ago
Michigan can allow him to transfer without having to sit out a year, by NCAA rules. If they don't want him, they should.
Having said that, I'm sure they won't, regadless if it's the Right thing to do.
The Right thing to do is not to steal away a schools basketball and Football couches in the same year!
5 months ago
Rodriguez recruited Mallett 3 times now. It's not his fault if Mallett doesn't feel comfortable in the system. Rodriguez has said that his system is able work with someone like Mallett who isn't very mobile. Steve Threet, a GT transfer and likely starter for next year, has a very similar build to Mallett and isn't a real running threat either. The only difference is that Threet saw a little spread in high school, but he would basically be learning a new system just like Mallett. In the end, the decision was Mallett's, and if he was a true Lloyd Carr guy, he would have trusted Michigan to bring in a quality successor. On top of this, Mallett is kind of a hot-head and was often at odds with his coaches and teammates.
5 months ago
Mallett came from Texas to Michigan. That tells me they sold this kid on being the next great Tom Brady of Michigan. This is total crap for him to have to sit out a year in order to show his skills. Mallett could be succeeding McCoy as the next great UT quarterback. Unbelieveable. I won't even start on FRAUDRIGUEZ!!!!!
Jay
http://www.thousanddollarprofits.com/haeveyj10
5 months ago
"This Pryor kid is a joke. He had WVU on his list until coach Rod went to Michigan. That's the only reason why Pryor is even considering Michigan....by the looks of him in the all american game, he's no team player."
No team player, huh... Wouldn't that make him and Rodriguez a perfect match ?
;-D
5 months ago
Well, by the looks of things, if we don't get Pryor we are in trouble. I don't blame Mallett for leaving but I don't like the fact that coach Rod is relying so heavily on Pryor. If I were him, I wouldn't be putting all my eggs in one basket. He's already lost three players this week(Mallett, Manningham, Arrington). With the loss of Hart, Henne, and Long(among others), this coming year could be ugly. I'm going to stand by our coach on this one. Mainly because I have no choice.I just hope this is not too much of a rebuilding year.
5 months ago
Does a player commit to a school or to a coach or coaches? When I agreed to work for the company that hired me, I agreed to work for the company, not my immediate supervisor.
What I think should happen is that kids should have the option of signing on for a four year scholarship or take their chances and sign on for an annual scholarship each year. The risk they take is that the school may not want a "bust" after two years or so but the reward is that the student athlete could transfer after one year (having fulfilled his committment) without having to sit. Now will this ever occur? I doubt it.
5 months ago
Matlett made the right decision. Why doen't some Michigan fan call Scotty McBrien, the QB for WVU when RR arrived and ask him and his mother about their experience with RR. I am sure they will be only to happy to share their story with you. Russ
5 months ago
That is one of the worst leads I have seen in my life. I refuse to read the rest of the article after that.
4 months ago
So much misinformation here it's not even funny, BUT i will address a few things..
1. Mallett knew Coach Carr was leaving this year, as did all real Michigan fans, it wouldnt have mattered if he won all games or lost all, he was going to retire.
2. I would of been happy with any assistant coach taking over.
3. Henne and Hart was injured many games this year, you saw the real Michigan team against Florida.
4. Mallett should of stayed, as Michigan is not going to run run run the ball, they are LOADED at WR's and at play makers. Mallett would have been great in the new offense, he ran the same thing in high school, AND he is better out of the shotgun then under center anyways.
and now the last
4. It is fine with me to let Mallett play right away, i have no problem with it at all and i do wish him the very best!
4 months ago
yeah i feel bad for the players who have such great potential, and they commit for 4 years and then who they came to play for decides to leave. the rules need changing, or else in this day and age of coach moving, theres gonna be a lot of upset players or a lot of talented players waiting out a year.
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