Problems in College Athletics
The list is endless and it's getting
longer by the day. Universities nationwide
keep a close eye on the bottom line. That bottom
line is increased enrollment which translates for many
high end institutions into millions of dollars flowing
through the campus doors annually. Presidents across
the country believe a winning football product will put
students in classrooms and butts in the seats every Saturday.
You know what? They are right but herein lies the problem...
Coaches' livelihoods depend on
packed houses and how many "w's" they can pull
out. To achieve this, their bread and butter sits
with recruiting which has now basically become a year
around job. In the Big 12 Conference, the King of
recruiting is Texas Head Coach Mack Brown and he gets
paid a pretty penny to win those wars every February.
Granted, these blue chippers pledge their allegiance to
their respective schools but since when did they become
silent when times are tough? It's not always there fault.
Following the Longhorns loss to Oklahoma
October 12th, which happened to be
another big game setback for Mack Brown's golden boy Chris
Simms, a media member asked Simms what his mindset was
leading up to key games such as OU. Instead of letting
his 22 year senior answer the question, in steps Brown
who responded " I'll answer that for Chris."
Simms is a big boy who will be drafted in April. Not only
could he answer that question, he wanted to answer the
question. He's the first one to take responsibility when
things don't go his way. Mack Brown should be embarrassed.
Hey Mack, stick to recruiting and while your at it figure
out a way to win a big football game and let your players
learn how to deal with obstacles in life. It's good
for you and it would be a boost for college athletics.
Randy McIlvoy is the weeknight anchor
on Fox Sports Net’s nightly SOUTHWEST SPORTS REPORT.
McIlvoy joined Fox Sports Net in 1998 as the network’s
high school sports authority, hosting the network’s popular
HIGH SCHOOL XTRA weekly magazine show. Prior to that he
spent 11 years as an award-winning sports anchor and sports
producer at television stations throughout Texas.
While at Fox Sports Net he also worked as a sports reporter
for Dallas-Fort Worth ABC affiliate WFAA-TV before taking
on the regional sports news assignment.
React to this week's commentary in
THE ENDZONE!
Back
to Round the Horn >
|
