AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > June > 01 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USOnce again, players left on hook by coach
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
On Tuesday, Billy Donovan said he was close to a new contract at Florida.
On Wednesday, Billy Donovan said he was still close to a new contract at Florida and, no, he hadn’t spoken to the Orlando Magic.
On Thursday, Billy Donovan finally agreed to a new contract. With the Orlando Magic. Negotiations presumably took only 18 seconds, or were conducted via Ouija board through Donovan’s spiritual adviser, Pinocchio.
So coaches lie. That’s no revelation. Let’s move on.
The issue here is not that a basketball coach would leave one job for another. The issue is what little recourse is afforded his former players.
When a coach leaves a school, the NCAA doesn’t allow players to transfer, at least not without sitting out a season. That’s almost no option at all. And it’s wrong.
Coaches can be as adept at schmoozing as drawing plays. They slither under the front doors of recruits’ homes. They convince them to sign letters of intent. They make promises they don’t intend to keep.
They are well practiced at looking a mother in the eyes and saying, “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of your son.”
Then, two weeks later, the coach is in Boston, or New York, or Orlando. Weasels aren’t particular.
Florida probably would allow Donovan’s incoming recruits out of their commitments, if requested. But the school is not required to do so by NCAA bylaws. Even worse, returning players have no choice but to stay or sit out a season.
It seems loyalty only flows in one direction.
“I agree — it’s wrong,” Georgia coach Dennis Felton said Friday. “I think that whenever there’s a coaching change, all players involved should be free to move to another school, with no restriction or penalty. Signed players should have the freedom to do what they like to do. Sitting players should be free to transfer without sitting out a year.”
Well, that’s one vote. But don’t expect this to be the start of a movement. Too many agendas at work.
Felton can’t remember a rules change ever coming up in debate. He figures the NCAA would never yield such freedom to student-athletes because, “It wants to protect its institutions.”
Schools would never want such a rule because, as Felton said, “It may not be as easy for schools to jump up and fire a coach if it also means that it’s going to be easy to lose their players.”
But the current situation simply isn’t fair.
The counter-argument — that a student-athlete is committing to a university, its academics and its program — is naive. Yes, maybe there are things that Duke or North Carolina or Florida offer that could be considered unique. But when a basketball player signs a letter of intent, the coach — Mike Krzyzewski, Roy Williams, Billy Donovan — is the primary motivating factor.
Four years ago, when Felton replaced the deposed Jim Harrick in Athens, he agreed to let four recruits (two high school seniors, two junior college transfers) out of their commitments.
“I told them we’d like to have them here at Georgia, but I would not restrict them if they wanted to go elsewhere,” Felton said.
“It’s not only naive, it’s wrong to think that student-athletes, when they choose a school, that it’s not based on the people in that program. It’s not the buildings. It’s the same for all students who are recruited for other things on campus. You connect with the people, the professors. You connect with the culture created by the people in that program. That’s why students come to a school.”
Donovan knows that. But if he feels any guilt, $27.5 million will buy a lot of therapy.
He wasn’t wrong for taking the job. If he pulls the same crash-and-burn as other college coaches in the NBA, he can always return to campus life.
Somebody will pay him. Then, Donovan can tell recruits, “This is the place to be. I’m not going anywhere.”
And kids and moms will believe him, and sign the letters. They had just better realize that their futures are being tied to concrete, not a human.
Permalink | Comments (57) | Post your comment | Categories: Hawks / NBA, Jeff Schultz
Comments
By Bugger
June 1, 2007 6:44 PM | Link to this
Felton would jump to Florida in a heartbeat. But no major conference school would want him.
By knutsack
June 1, 2007 6:48 PM | Link to this
I dont care about this subject at all… Why are’nt the Georgia Force listed ioon the homeoage as a home team?
THEY ARE 10-2 for christs sake! Lets give them some love!
I cannot find a place to contact someone who can help me with this, so help me Jeff!
By knutsack
June 1, 2007 6:48 PM | Link to this
I dont care about this subject at all… Why are’nt the Georgia Force listed on the homepage as a home team?
THEY ARE 10-2 for christs sake! Lets give them some love!
I cannot find a place to contact someone who can help me with this, so help me Jeff!
By boonedawg
June 1, 2007 6:55 PM | Link to this
bugger, come out of that closet boy.
By boonedawg
June 1, 2007 6:55 PM | Link to this
bugger, come out of that closet boy.
By boonedawg
June 1, 2007 6:55 PM | Link to this
bugger, come out of that closet boy.
By boonedawg
June 1, 2007 6:56 PM | Link to this
bugger, come out of that closet boy.
By boonedawg
June 1, 2007 6:56 PM | Link to this
bugger, come out of that closet boy.
By John
June 1, 2007 7:17 PM | Link to this
He wasn’t wrong for taking the job. If he pulls the same crash-and-burn as other college coaches in the NBA, he can always return to campus life.
From the story above: “Somebody will pay him. Then, Donovan can tell recruits, “This is the place to be. I’m not going anywhere.” And kids and moms will believe him, and sign the letters. They had just better realize that their futures are being tied to concrete, not a human.”
I keep getting mixed up, is this story about Donavan or Saban?
By toocoldscorpio
June 1, 2007 7:28 PM | Link to this
An apology too Jeff Schultz. I wrote in a blog a vicious slur too you sir and for that I am sorry. You are not a racist and I know that others mis label you as such too. Again I am sorry for using such hateful language and I hope you will accept my apology.
By Bugger
June 1, 2007 7:34 PM | Link to this
Uh, what closet?
Yo mama knows I’m not gay.
By Mountain Man
June 1, 2007 8:15 PM | Link to this
1 billion people in China could care less about this and at least one in Georgia. I don’t blame him at all since most of the team this year is going to the NBA, then when next year’s team doesn’t do as well as this year, the Florida people would be ready to scalp him.
By Barry
June 1, 2007 8:16 PM | Link to this
It just shows again the character of Dennis Felton. If Felton would have forced those players to stay, do you think he (and we) would have endured a 20 loss season? UGA is so fortunate to have him as a coach.
By Me
June 1, 2007 8:50 PM | Link to this
If those college players think thats bad wait til the get out of school and see how you get treated in the real world.
By Me
June 1, 2007 8:51 PM | Link to this
If those college players think thats bad wait til the get out of school and see how you get treated in the real world.
By Me
June 1, 2007 8:51 PM | Link to this
If those college players think thats bad wait til the get out of school and see how you get treated in the real world.
By T
June 1, 2007 9:12 PM | Link to this
Get a life Jeff … if someone offered you just $100K more a year to write for the Canton Gazette.. you would be gone.. the kids get an education thats paid for.. and get the opportunity to play ball.. not a bad deal… get over it..
By Robert
June 1, 2007 9:19 PM | Link to this
It’s life. Aren’t sports supposed to prepare these guys for life? You go to work for a company because you love the CEO and he’s gone before you move into your office. Who said any of this was fair?
By DrDawg
June 1, 2007 9:24 PM | Link to this
Look, there is one truth - you may love the company, but the company does not love you. If Donovan had lost 20 games, he might love Florida, but he would be gone. You might give the Dawgs all your effort, but if you don’t produce, you are on the bench. Talk to Blake Barnes. There is always somebody younger, better, and richer. That is life. The good times and the bad times do not last.
By Duh
June 1, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this
Uh, Jeff, you forgot to mention how these athletes that you are feelin’ sorry for often bolt for the NBA after one season and surely after 3 seasons. Very few top level basketball players stay four years. It goes both ways…Jeff, I hear alot of people rippin’ your blogs…I see why now
By TW
June 1, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this
To make up for it, the Univ of Fla should have to pay for the players’ education…
By jim
June 2, 2007 12:55 AM | Link to this
b-ball is a thug sport anyway so who cares nothing but rapist and losers and thugs, thugs and more thugs. Losers and thugs who cares about these losers in life.
By Braves Fan 79
June 2, 2007 1:01 AM | Link to this
Go Gt!
By AC
June 2, 2007 1:22 AM | Link to this
Stop hatin’!
By op
June 2, 2007 1:29 AM | Link to this
Why can’t pro players and all coaches be forced to honor the contracts they signed and not leave until said contracts are completed? Having said that, why not require contracts from scholarship athletes that would require them to stay 4 years? Requiring honesty would make all sports better. So simple. Yet so far-fetched in today’s world.
By Najeh Davenpoop
June 2, 2007 1:33 AM | Link to this
The way the article is worded, you’d think Donovan fully intended to screw his players over all along. Don’t blame Donovan for going to the big stage to prove what he can do, not to mention cashing in on his success with a huge contract. Anyone else in his position would do the same. Blame the NCAA for having yet another foolish rule, not Donovan for doing what’s best for himself and his family.
By Salty Dawg
June 2, 2007 1:37 AM | Link to this
The High School players know that they are committing to the school and not the coach. They have been pursued by so many that they have no excuse for not knowing the rules. Tough. Make the best of it. Move on. Oh, and they can still get a quality education in the process for free.
By UK1in96n98
June 2, 2007 1:48 AM | Link to this
This is a Pitino disciple so what do you expect? I was never big on the idea of him at Kentucky. I loved Tubby Smith, and thought most of the criticism was BS by an impatient fan base. (very similar to Bama)
Kentucky will be back on top soon.
Concerning the players:
Jai Lucas has suggested he doesn’t want to play there now. He played UK until the end in recruiting and would probably like to play with his buddy Patrick Patterson.
KENTUCKY GOT THE RIGHT BILLY.
UK1in96n98, and Go Gophers!
By FIUmom
June 2, 2007 7:03 AM | Link to this
Coaches are people with jobs, just like most of us. They need to do what is best for themselves and not the recruit that signed a LOI. My son went through the very same thing. The runningbacks coach came to my home, spent hours with us, ate dinner with us, earned my trust, and most importantly bonded with my son. Then a week after National Signing Day he personally called my son to let him know that he was taking a job with the Baltimore Ravens. He wanted to make sure that my son knew that he was not turning his back on him and that he should still go to school because the ulitmate goal was an education. He called my son before the news of his departure was reported by the media. Some coaches have a conscious, but they all have to do what is best for them and their families.
By FIUmom
June 2, 2007 7:03 AM | Link to this
Coaches are people with jobs, just like most of us. They need to do what is best for themselves and not the recruit that signed a LOI. My son went through the very same thing. The runningbacks coach came to my home, spent hours with us, ate dinner with us, earned my trust, and most importantly bonded with my son. Then a week after National Signing Day he personally called my son to let him know that he was taking a job in the NFL. He wanted to make sure that my son knew that he was not turning his back on him and that he should still go to school because the ulitmate goal was an education. He called my son before the news of his departure was reported by the media. Some coaches have a conscious, but they all have to do what is best for them and their families.
By Randy
June 2, 2007 7:27 AM | Link to this
I have to agree with T. Donovan put in 11 good years there, won two nat’l championships. As a faculty member at USC (LA), I know that professors, deans, and administrators regularly move around, too. I don’t feel sorry for these young players. They tend to have it quite good. A university is always more than the individuals who work there. It seems reductionist to say that, without a particular coach, these young men and women are merely left with anonymous bricks and mortar. Tradition, academic atmosphere, the camaraderie of their peers, the variety of cultural offerings, the town where the school is located, and yes, even the architecture all contribute to the entire college experience. Come on, Jeff, are you really so cynical to believe all of these athletes choose a university based only on a coach’s rep and ability to charm their parents? Yes, I agree that many of these athletes are not scholars, but you’d be suprised how many of them are also there to learn. Many. Let’s not judge these coaches too quickly—and let’s not underestimate these kids.
By Randy
June 2, 2007 7:28 AM | Link to this
I have to agree with T. Donovan put in 11 good years there, won two nat’l championships. As a faculty member at USC (LA), I know that professors, deans, and administrators regularly move around, too. I don’t feel sorry for these young players. They tend to have it quite good. A university is always more than the individuals who work there. It seems reductionist to say that, without a particular coach, these young men and women are merely left with anonymous bricks and mortar. Tradition, academic atmosphere, the camaraderie of their peers, the variety of cultural offerings, the town where the school is located, and yes, even the architecture all contribute to the entire college experience. Come on, Jeff, are you really so cynical to believe all of these athletes choose a university based only on a coach’s rep and ability to charm their parents? Yes, I agree that many of these athletes are not scholars, but you’d be suprised how many of them are also there to learn. Many. Let’s not judge these coaches too quickly—and let’s not underestimate these kids.
By Randy
June 2, 2007 7:29 AM | Link to this
I have to agree with T. Donovan put in 11 good years there, won two nat’l championships. As a faculty member at USC (LA), I know that professors, deans, and administrators regularly move around, too. I don’t feel sorry for these young players. They tend to have it quite good. A university is always more than the individuals who work there. It seems reductionist to say that, without a particular coach, these young men and women are merely left with anonymous bricks and mortar. Tradition, academic atmosphere, the camaraderie of their peers, the variety of cultural offerings, the town where the school is located, and yes, even the architecture all contribute to the entire college experience. Come on, Jeff, are you really so cynical to believe all of these athletes choose a university based only on a coach’s rep and ability to charm their parents? Yes, I agree that many of these athletes are not scholars, but you’d be suprised how many of them are also there to learn. Many. Let’s not judge these coaches too quickly—and let’s not underestimate these kids.
By Randy
June 2, 2007 7:29 AM | Link to this
I have to agree with T. Donovan put in 11 good years there, won two nat’l championships. As a faculty member at USC (LA), I know that professors, deans, and administrators regularly move around, too. I don’t feel sorry for these young players. They tend to have it quite good. A university is always more than the individuals who work there. It seems reductionist to say that, without a particular coach, these young men and women are merely left with anonymous bricks and mortar. Tradition, academic atmosphere, the camaraderie of their peers, the variety of cultural offerings, the town where the school is located, and yes, even the architecture all contribute to the entire college experience. Come on, Jeff, are you really so cynical to believe all of these athletes choose a university based only on a coach’s rep and ability to charm their parents? Yes, I agree that many of these athletes are not scholars, but you’d be suprised how many of them are also there to learn. Many. Let’s not judge these coaches too quickly—and let’s not underestimate these kids.
By Lew
June 2, 2007 7:53 AM | Link to this
Who would want to live in Cowtown? (Gainesville, FL.)
The Gators weren’t much before Donovan….. and they won’t be much without him.
Cowtown…..can concentrate on football and mud slides, monster truck rallies… whatever they do there!
By DC
June 2, 2007 8:20 AM | Link to this
I’m confused here, does anybody really care about Florida? So what if the coach lied. Since when does a reporter think they will get the deepest darkest secrets from someone they interview? Nothing new is learned in interviews…they are all canned answers learned at coaching school. Just like buyer beware, it’s player beware.
By D-Cider
June 2, 2007 8:39 AM | Link to this
Jerk Schultz, is this the best you can do? a blog on kobe not coming to ATL and now this. Donovan’s stock will never be higher, take the job and go. you can spend time crying for these kids, but this happens all to frequently. write a letter to the NCAA.
By Anthony
June 2, 2007 8:42 AM | Link to this
The problem is in the recruitment not what happens when a coach leaves. If you were to let players leave when a coach leaves what do you think would happen when a school fired its coach for breaking the rules and that school was put on probation for the offense. The school would be looking for a new coach and a new team (thats about 80 young men in football). That is why in recruiting the families involved better know something about the integrity of the staff and administration and not just look at the winning percentage and listen to the spin.
By GatorFan
June 2, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this
Robert - If I take a job and the CEO quites, I can take another job anytime I want and I won’t have to sit out a year.
I can see letting recruits out but if you let the whole team out, programs would be devastated every time a coach left. Plus, if the coach left for another school, most of his players could follow him.
It’s all part of the process. If you are worried that a coach is going to leave, don’t go there. Patrick Patterson is looking pretty smart for picking UK over UF right now!
By L. M. Hull
June 2, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this
Thank God for one thing. Donavan is white. Otherwise, we would have to endure the race card being played over and over and over!
By Gil In Mechanicsville
June 2, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this
I am only sad because Va Commonwealth is about to lose their very good coach (Grant)to Florida. Good luck to him and thanks for a great year.
By GT FAN
June 2, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this
PLAYERS have to sit if transfer? They are STUDENTS first players SECOND so, I hope they picked their College based on Education first and playing second. Most of them will not go PRO anyway.
By BarkinDog
June 2, 2007 10:26 AM | Link to this
I have to laugh at those who always claim that student athletes get a “free” education. Show me one athlete who got his or her college education without untold hours of extra hard work on the field, court, course or pool (sans those who may have been injured early). Student athletes work their tails off for their scholarships, or they wouldn’t have gotten them. It goes without saying they put in far more hours into their college life that non-athletes. So, the next time you want to talk about athletes getting “free educations,” think about it. Those who make this stupid comment probably never spent a minute on campus as a scholarship athlete.
By Atlanta Gator
June 2, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this
From an e-mail letter transmitted to all University of Florida alumni late last night … .
“Dear Alumni and Friends,
“If you’re like me, it was a something of a bittersweet moment when you heard that head basketball Coach Billy Donovan was leaving the Gators to take over as coach of the Orlando Magic.
“But bitter certainly isn’t an emotion I feel when I think of Billy. On the contrary, I couldn’t be happier for him and the wonderful opportunity he has to coach in the NBA. When I think of what Billy accomplished for the University of Florida during his 11-season tenure, I’m amazed. A 261-103 record. Nine straight 20-win seasons. Nine consecutive NCAA Tournament berths. Three trips to the NCAA Championship game (2000, 2006, 2007).
“And of course, there’s the icing on the cake: A dream team that chalked up the Gators’ first back-to-back NCAA Men’s Division I Championships in 2006 and 2007. Billy will leave as UF’s winningest coach.
“Simply put, he did the job and he did it well. For that, we are grateful.
“As Billy moves on to other challenges, we will begin the search for his successor. (Notice I didn’t say “replacement” – no one will ever replace Billy.) I have complete faith and confidence in Athletic Director Jeremy Foley’s ability to scour the country and find yet another terrifically talented and qualified head basketball coach.
“Please join me in wishing Billy Donovan and his family the best of luck in his future endeavors.
“Go Gators!”
[signed] “Bernie Machen “President”
Speaking as a loyal Gator fan and University of Florida alumnus, I couldn’t agree more. Nothing else needs to be said.
By Alphabet
June 2, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this
BarkinDog - I think we can agree that nothing in life is truly free. But the alternative for a poor kid to try and go to a $20/30K a year school working at Subway is less likely to happen than a kid who wins a full ride playing ball. It is still a privilege and not a right. They have that choice don’t they?
By Jay
June 2, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this
Lets see…these “kids” are getting a free ride at a school that they would have zero chance attending otherwise, they get to play in one of the best leagues in the country, and for one of the premiere programs in the country.
Nope, I dont feel bad for them.
By Scotty
June 2, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this
The real question is, Why did Donovan always sweat so profusely under the arms? That’s all I really want to know. I do not feel sorry for UF. They have had plenty to celebrate lately.
By Scotty
June 2, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this
The real question is, Why did Donovan always sweat so profusely under the arms? That’s all I really want to know. I do not feel sorry for UF. They have had plenty to celebrate lately.
By Gary T.
June 2, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this
Given the nature of fan disloyalty why does anyone expect total loyalty from any coach? Think about the number of great coaches in different sports and at different levels who lost early in their careers. Coach K, Coach Smith, And Coach Noll come quickly to mind. In today’s market, they all probably would have been fired before they got things totally underway. Are corporations any different? The only thing that counts is now. Thus, what about the future?
Georgia has stuck with Felton- thank God. I heard Coach Calipari interviewed about Dononvan two days ago. He stated that Donovan did not go to U-K and remained LOYAL TO UF directly because of The UF PRESIDENT AND AD. AS much as I love the Dawgs, I do not believe that would be the case at all at UGA.
As far as student transfers, there is no legit reason to prevent it. This is true exploitation of the student athlete.The NCAA should be destroyed or greatly altered. It is a self serving egotistical outfit that does not serve the student athlete at all . Two quick examples.
If your boss leaves a business, do you have to sit a year before moving to another job? I heard the baseball coach from Ms. State blast the NCAA, saying he first retired because of them. UGA and OKLA never got in official trouble wilth the NCAA, until they brought siuit against the NCAA in the 80’s to allow more than the “game of the week” in football. Suddenly, both got slapped. A Notre Dame booster got in trouble with the IRS for contributions, but the NCAA never found any problem.
As the great MR. Furman Bisher would say, selah.
By Phillip
June 2, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this
Jeff get a life and relax
By George Takei
June 2, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this
Oh my….
By Big Mac
June 2, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this
Jeff - get in the real world. Talking about not fair - how about the players that jump ship and head to the NBA. Shouldn’t there be a ‘rule’ to prevent that? Think about Tech - probably will have two gone this year. What is Hewitt supposed to do? Loyalty is a two way street.
By dogforlife
June 2, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this
Dawg fans: Here’s a check in your name for $27 million to coach Georgia Tech football. Are you going to tear it up?
A red & black sellout? A sellout “from where you stand, maybe. But I’m standing over here now!”*
*Marlon Brando, On the Waterfront
By If you are critical of the AJC
June 2, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this
they come back and remove your post. There was no bad language or anything innappropriate about it. Dogheads.
By OUR Fans with $hit for brains and lying lynching sport writers
June 2, 2007 7:03 PM | Link to this
THE SORRY DAWG HAS SOME LIGHT NOW. THE GATORS WILL STILL BEAT THE BRAKES OFF OF THE UGA OF THUG! B-BALL FOOTBALL UGE CLUELESS
By OUR Fans with $hit for brains and lying lynching sport writers
June 2, 2007 7:04 PM | Link to this
THE SORRY DAWG HAS SOME LIGHT NOW. THE GATORS WILL STILL BEAT THE BRAKES OFF OF THE UGA OF THUG! B-BALL FOOTBALL UGA CLUELESS
By jEFF THE LYNCH MOB SPORTS WRITER
June 2, 2007 7:07 PM | Link to this
PAPER BOY GET A JOB HATER!