Interesting comments yesterday by 'Nova coach Jay Wright...

[orangecuse]

On the Scott VanPelt ESPN radio show yesterday afternoon relative to football recruiting. He basically said, very eloquently, that college football ethics specific to recruiting, stunningly, just doesn't exist. He stressed that by no means are we "angels" (us coaches) in the college game, but that it is practically unheard of that when a kid verbally commits to a school, that other coaches would still actively pursue going after him. An honor code, so to speak, amongst fellow colleagues in the profession. And, that only in instances where there was a coaching change, etc., would other coaches possibly reach out to that kid. However, that even in those instances, many times the kid still stays true to the school he originally committed to.

He stated that it's unreal how college football recruiting's culture is so completely different, seemingly astonished by it. VanPelt basically said yep...man, that's just the way it is...chuckling at the accepted culture and behavior. In my opinion, that largely, says a lot about the state of college football/athletics today. It also, imo, continues to send a clear message to our youth that it's okay to simply renege on your word, and, that your word/commitment doesn't really mean a thing.

I guess, in a way, it isn't any different than our culture/world we live in today...if it's not in the contract, it must have never been said or agreed upon beforehand, or conveniently, an apparent misunderstanding, regardless of the handshake...

 

[javadoc]

On the Scott VanPelt ESPN radio show yesterday afternoon relative to football recruiting. He basically said, very eloquently, that college football ethics specific to recruiting, stunningly, just doesn't exist. He stressed that by no means are we "angels" (us coaches) in the college game, but that it is practically unheard of that when a kid verbally commits to a school, that other coaches would still actively pursue going after him. An honor code, so to speak, amongst fellow colleagues in the profession. And, that only in instances where there was a coaching change, etc., would other coaches possibly reach out to that kid. However, that even in those instances, many times the kid still stays true to the school he originally committed to.

He stated that it's unreal how college football recruiting's culture is so completely different, seemingly astonished by it. VanPelt basically said yep...man, that's just the way it is...chuckling at the accepted culture and behavior. In my opinion, that largely, says a lot about the state of college football/athletics today. It also, imo, continues to send a clear message to our youth that it's okay to simply renege on your word, and, that your word/commitment doesn't really mean a thing.

I guess, in a way, it isn't any different than our culture/world we live in today...if it's not in the contract, it must have never been said or agreed upon beforehand, or conveniently, an apparent misunderstanding, regardless of the handshake...

I don't follow hoops much any more, so is his characterization correct, with regard to hoops recruiting? If so, I wonder if it would change were hoops to start dealing with football-scale money.

 

[orangecuse]

I don't follow hoops much any more, so is his characterization correct, with regard to hoops recruiting? If so, I wonder if it would change were hoops to start dealing with football-scale money.

To be honest, I'm not certain, as I don't follow recruiting to that extent. However, I don't recall very often losing any of our hoops recruits to another school once they've verballed, or hearing it that much with other hoop schools. Also, I believe it to be pretty accurate, at least to an admirable degree, considering the source in Wright.

 

[timkay99]

The difference between football and other sports (speaking from experience with baseball) is that they will still make calls to committed prospects and if they say they are fine with their choice, the communication stops.

I think the experience with Florida constantly calling Steven Clark to get him to visit shows this divide with college football.

 

[PhatOrange]

early signing period

 

[TexanMark]

early signing period

That and only 3-5 recruits a year versus 20-30.

 

[OttosBestFriend]

That and only 3-5 recruits a year versus 20-30.

I was literally about to type the exact sentiments as I read the initial post, but finished the thread first.

It's much easier to be shady when each of the 65 or so "Power 5" conference schools are offering 75+ kids a year and signing 20-30 of them

Who could possibly keep track of it all?

Especially when only a select few high school footballers make news by verbaling to a school early. Seriously, outside of us 'Cuse diehards, who knew about any of our football verbals prior to signing day? Yes, other coaches knew, but the general public didn't. And that "relative anonymity" is cruical to how and why football coaches can and do poach.

On the flip side, when a top 200 kid verbals to a "Power 5" school in hoops - it's literally blasted on hundreds of websites, blogs, radio shows and ESPN/Fox college basketball coverage across America.

Every single hoops recruit is scrutinized and talked about WAY more - if only because it's easier to keep up with 2-5 kids per school.

And since it's so easy to keep up with, it'd be very bad for coaches' reputations to try to poach a kid after the world knows he committed to say Villanova or SU.

 

[Shenexon]

On the football recruiting front, Bobby Petrino made news this week when he withdrew an offer to a SC kid who committed to Louisville last June. As a result, Petrino is persona non grata at the kid's high school. There's a thread on the football recruiting board related to the situation, but seems indicative of the same kind of ethical issue: Link

 

[Shenexon]

To be honest, I'm not certain, as I don't follow recruiting to that extent. However, I don't recall very often losing any of our hoops recruits to another school once they've verballed, or hearing it that much with other hoop schools. Also, I believe it to be pretty accurate, at least to an admirable degree, considering the source in Wright.

I do remember however, how much I enjoyed stealing Christmas from Georgetown. He may not have been committed to them at the time but they sure thought so. They're still mad about it which makes it the gift that keeps on giving.

 

[Crusty]

On the football recruiting front, Bobby Petrino made news this week when he withdrew an offer to a SC kid who committed to Louisville last June. As a result, Petrino is persona non grata at the kid's high school. There's a thread on the football recruiting board related to the situation, but seems indicative of the same kind of ethical issue: Link

Interesting his brother, Paul, who is HC at Idaho and he recently did the opposite.
Idaho signs Wash. player fighting cancer

 

[Shenexon]

Interesting his brother, Paul, who is HC at Idaho and he recently did the opposite.
Idaho signs Wash. player fighting cancer

Kinda reminds me of the Dark Crystal characters. Paul got all the good and Bobby got the dregs. It's nice to see one of the Petrino's do a good thing...

 

[dasher]

I don't follow hoops much any more, so is his characterization correct, with regard to hoops recruiting? If so, I wonder if it would change were hoops to start dealing with football-scale money.

I made the same exact point in a post a few years back an was shouted down. Jay is correct.

 

[bcubs9497]

On the football recruiting front, Bobby Petrino made news this week when he withdrew an offer to a SC kid who committed to Louisville last June. As a result, Petrino is persona non grata at the kid's high school. There's a thread on the football recruiting board related to the situation, but seems indicative of the same kind of ethical issue: Link

He also did that to Troy Thingstad, an OT from the Mobile, AL area. At least Petrino "gave" Troy about a month to find another school. Troy ended up over at South Alabama.

 

[PeteCalvin]

On the Scott VanPelt ESPN radio show yesterday afternoon relative to football recruiting. He basically said, very eloquently, that college football ethics specific to recruiting, stunningly, just doesn't exist. He stressed that by no means are we "angels" (us coaches) in the college game, but that it is practically unheard of that when a kid verbally commits to a school, that other coaches would still actively pursue going after him. An honor code, so to speak, amongst fellow colleagues in the profession. And, that only in instances where there was a coaching change, etc., would other coaches possibly reach out to that kid. However, that even in those instances, many times the kid still stays true to the school he originally committed to.

He stated that it's unreal how college football recruiting's culture is so completely different, seemingly astonished by it. VanPelt basically said yep...man, that's just the way it is...chuckling at the accepted culture and behavior. In my opinion, that largely, says a lot about the state of college football/athletics today. It also, imo, continues to send a clear message to our youth that it's okay to simply renege on your word, and, that your word/commitment doesn't really mean a thing.

I guess, in a way, it isn't any different than our culture/world we live in today...if it's not in the contract, it must have never been said or agreed upon beforehand, or conveniently, an apparent misunderstanding, regardless of the handshake...

That's what happens when you have meatheads recruiting.

 

[Finwad32]

He also did that to Troy Thingstad, an OT from the Mobile, AL area. At least Petrino "gave" Troy about a month to find another school. Troy ended up over at South Alabama.

Things like that come back to bite you. As my father says, "The clock always turns clockwise." It comes back around eventually.

It seems to me, from all that we've learned of Petrino, he lacks moral fiber in all facets of life.