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Friday, May 16, 2008
Is Saban “getting around” recruiting rules?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s another “Free-Wheeling Friday” and inquiring minds want to know:
1. Why the fuss over Saban’s use of technology? So the NCAA passes a rule that head coaches can’t visit high school recruits during the May evaluation period. But phone calls and any kind of electronic communication are acceptable. So Nick Saban, the Alabama head coach, sets up video conferencing, which is clearly within the rules. Then come the charges that Saban is “getting around” the rule. No, no, no. That is using technology to work within the rules. The rule was put into place because of the inability to enforce the “bump rule” where head coaches could see but not talk to recruits. Fine. But coaches are being held responsible for the character of the people they recruit. If technology allows them to make a better character evaluation of a potential recruit, then why not use it? Guys like Saban and Urban Meyer are great recruiters because they stay ahead of the curve and embrace the technology. So don’t be surprised if the NCAA eventually bans video conferencing with recruits.
2. Will Ryan Perrilloux last the entire season at Jacksonville State? The former LSU quarterback and the MVP of the 2007 SEC championship game is down to his last strike. Dismissed by Tigers coach Les Miles, Perrilloux has signed with Jacksonville (Ala.) State, a Division I-AA team, where he will be eligible immediately and will certainly be the starter this fall.
Perrilloux does have this going for him. Jacksonville State is coached by a veteran in Jack Crowe, who has worked at Clemson and Auburn and has been the head coach at Arkansas. He has worked with SEC caliber athletes. Perrilloux has to know that if he puts up good numbers at the I-AA level, somebody will use a draft choice on him. If he blows this chance, he’ll be too toxic to touch.
It would be a shame to see so much talent go to waste. We can only wish the young man good luck.
3. Is Southern Cal in trouble? I’ve been reading that the allegations that Southern Cal basketball star O.J. Mayo had his hand out (surprise, surprise) combined with the allegations involving USC running back Reggie Bush will surely put the Trojans in NCAA jail. Not so fast, my friend. Understand that these issues deal with agents, not boosters. The NCAA has clear rules that schools are charged with the responsibility of controlling their boosters. The agent thing is much more difficult to pin down. For the school to be punished in these cases, the NCAA has to prove that the school KNEW about it and did nothing. That is tough standard to prove.
4. Is anyone else sick of the Rich Rodriguez story? Every day there seems to be something new. Rodriguez was pressured to sign his contract with West Virginia by the governor. Rodriguez wanted his wife to write stuff for his website. West Virginia didn’t keep their promises to Rich Rod. The governor of West Virginia might be brought in for a deposition. Enough already. Will somebody at Michigan step up and write a check to West Virginia and end this thing? From what I’m reading there is plenty of blame to go around on both sides. West Virginia says Rodriguez owes them $4 million for bolting to Michigan. Split the difference, write West Virginia check for $2 million, and let’s be done with this foolishness. Michigan cannot want this to go to trial.
5. Memphis to the Big East? How would that work? There have been reports this week that Memphis could be a candidate to leave Conference-USA and join the Big East. Given the success of the Memphis basketball program that might make sense but here is the reality. The Big East has its hands full now managing a 16-team basketball league and an eight-team football league. Unless a basketball-only school, like Notre Dame, leaves there is no room. Besides, the next school that the Big East will probably consider as a football member is Central Florida, which was in the running when the league added South Florida several years ago.
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