A proposal for an early signing period for college football will be voted on this summer. It could solve some recruiting problems, but also create others.
For instance, if a recruit signs in the proposed early period for mid-December, should he get an automatic release from his letter of intent if his college head coach or positional coach changes before the normal February signing period?
Even though the current recommendation does not include an automatic release under those conditions, according to an NCAA spokesman, many coaches feel like maybe it should, especially if the head coach changes jobs.
Several coaches weighed in exclusively with the AJC on the topic:
- Tennessee's Butch Jones: "I think a lot of times the relationships are earned over time. I really think it stems from the head coach. And I really do believe that if the head coach does leave the institution, then it's all about the welfare and benefit of the young man. I believe (an automatic release) would allow him to open his recruitment up. But assistants leave for different reasons – right, wrong or indifferent. And with the way we recruit, it's a group effort. It's not just one individual. But I do think if the head coach leaves, I do think that the young man should be able to explore his options."
- USC's Steve Sarkisian: "If the head coach decides to leave after the kid has signed a national letter of intent, then you could potentially open that back up."
- Clemson's Dabo Swinney: "Let's say the head coach gets fired or packs up and leaves. Then that's simple: Those recruits (who signed early) are no longer bound. If the head coach is fired or leaves, those guys are basically free agents again and can either firm up with that school or they are free to re-sign somewhere else on (the February) signing day."
- Georgia Tech's Paul Johnson: "I think you ought to give the kids an out. Most of the times if the head coach is going to change, it's going to happen in December (so the kids have time to find another school)."
- Oklahoma's Bob Stoops: "No, because I believe you sign with the school – with the school and with the program. I believe that's why you sign. You sign to go to school at that university. If that's not what you're doing, then you don't need to sign early."
- LSU's Les Miles: "If they have a question where (any type of coaching change) will change the loyalty to their college, then they need not sign. In other words, if they're going to question whether or not their coach is going to be there, then they need not sign."
- South Carolina's Steve Spurrier: "That's another good reason to not have another early signing period because a lot can happen. So I don't have the exact answer. I've sort of enjoyed the way we have been doing it the last 10 or 15 years. … Yes, if a coach leaves, well maybe the player should have a right to change."
- Florida's Jim McElwain: "If there's a whole staff changeover, then (an automatic release) may have some merit. At the same time, that's going to be one of those situations that's going to be awfully hard."
- Miami's Al Golden: "I think there should be an opportunity to opt out if the head coach leaves."
- Oklahoma State's Mike Gundy: "There are so many variables involved but I think at some point, especially if it's a head coach, that they should have the opportunity to make a decision that they can change."
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