Big Ten Football: Illinois Sends 8 Coaches to Penn State, None Left on Campus

CBS Sports' Dennis Dodd tweeted from the 2012 Big Ten Media Days, noting, "Ill coach Tim Beckman stated he had 8 coaches in State College, none on campus."

A college football program is allowed nine assistant coaches.

What that means is that Beckman's entire staff spent time in State College while none remained in Champaign—though I have no idea where the ninth assistant coach was. Maybe recruiting in Ohio?

This is due to relaxed transfer rules that the NCAA is allowing PSU players for a limited time.

Adam Hoge of CBS Chicago breaks down the relaxed transfer rules, but it is questionable whether all coaches are sticking to said rules.

On The Big Ten Network's coverage of the Big Ten Media Days, MSU coach Mark Dantonio noted, "I have a respect for Penn State but at the same time we have a job to do. And we already have a relationship with some of these players from having recruited them."

Penn State coach Bill O'Brien understands this, but he has a problem with programs that are looking to poach his players without following the rules.

The Penn State coach (via The Centre Daily Times) said, "I respect the coaching profession, and I have a lot of respect for the coaching profession. A lot of coaches. ... They are playing under the rules — no question about it — but they are recruiting our players without having the courtesy of calling me and telling me they are doing that."

He specifically noted that despite a number of teams making contact with current PSU players, only three coaches have contacted him about those players—Iowa's Kirk Ferentz, Central Florida's George O'Leary and Syracuse's Doug Marrone.

Notice that there is no mention of Illinois in that group. Or Michigan State, for that matter.

Read more here: http://www.centredaily.com/2012/07/25/3272557/penn-state-coach-bill-obrien-holding.html#storylink=cpy