Ryan Mallett went up against the NCAA, and lost. Was anyone really surprised?
Mallett, the former Michigan quarterback who transferred to Arkansas as soon as Rich Rodriguez replaced head coach Lloyd Carr, petitioned to have his mandatory one year sit-out waived. He was hoping to catch a break from the NCAA, but rolled the dice and and crapped out.
Cue the outraged Razorbacks fans.
Look, we all get why he transferred. He's the proto-type NFL pocket passer that was perfect for Carr's pro-set offense. When Carr left, Rodriguez came in and promptly dumped the pro-set offense for the no-huddle, spread. Immediately, the impact was felt.
One offensive linemen left the team during the beginning of Spring practice due to the lack of "family values," but most pundits agree that it was probably a case of him not being able to run to the line fast enough. Most certainly, Rodriguez assumed he would lose a couple of players due to the different type of athletes needed to run his offense. But the star quarterback? The chosen one after Chad Henne?
Mallett seems like a pretty decent guy. He has a strong arm, stands
tall in the pocket at 6' 7", and was one of the two top quarterback
recruits in the 2007 class. But he felt the writing was on the wall as soon as Rodriguez fired Michigan's quarterback coach, Scot Loeffler. "I just felt forced out, not by any person, but by the system," Mallett
said. "I just don't think me and his system ... it
just doesn't fit."
Just how hard and long did Ryan Mallett consider his options? Mitch Mustain, the USC quarterback transfer from Arkansas, has probably already regretted his decision to transfer after being shuffled towards the rear of the Trojans' depth chart. Oops.
So Mallett transfers to a school which has changed their offensive-set schemes three times in the last three years, and no one considers that a bit of a red flag?
The Arkansas Razorbacks have had problems with keeping players on the team, and why Mallett chose this school- one of his original interests during recruiting- is a bit perplexing.
Why pick a school that has had so much drama in coaching changes? Why go to a school where the current head coach has shown as much loyalty to a team as a contestant on Survivor? Why?
Even more perplexing is the fans' outrage over the NCAA's decision to make Ryan wait a year. Some message boards are suggesting that coaches should wait out a year if they decide to go to another school? Huh?
Even though there are no guarantees in life, for some reason, the
old sense of entitlement argument is starting to rear its head again. Why won't
football fans just shut up and play the hand that was dealt to them
instead of complaining about an existing rule that was enforced to no
one's surprise but the fans in Fayetteville?
It's not like Mallett didn't know what the consequences would be if he transferred. He knew. And he rolled the dice in hopes of the NCAA taking his side. Why should they? He got a full ride to an elite university. Isn't that the whole point of being a student-athlete? Is the emphasis no longer on student? Are we going even further backwards in the ever-changing world of scholarship players?
It's not Mallett's fault. It's the fans who are fanning the fires. It's now become all about football. To hell with the education. His football career may be jeopardized if a new coach or scheme is put in place while he is attending school, and the fans want the kid to get a hall pass.
Memo to the fans- that's life. Get used to it. Like a company who gets bought out or goes through a merger, the world changes around you and you have to learn to adapt. Life isn't perfect. Just ask the millions of parents who have babies born with birth defects or special needs.
What they expected isn't necessarily what they got, but they learned to accept and love the precious gift they have.
Mallett has a special gift. And Michigan rewarded him with a five-year gift in return. Mallett chose to return that gift and go somewhere else, knowing he may have to sit out a year.
Meanwhile, the Hogs fans, still reeling over coaching changes, soap opera-like antics of the previous coaching staff, and players transferring to other schools, were ready for another optimism-filled year of playing in the SEC.
They can still be optimistic, but Mallett won't be the catalyst for their burning desire to win. This year.
If anyone should learn the value of teaching a quarterback to be accountable for his actions, it's the SEC fans. Wasn't Ryan Perrilloux a fine indication of what happens when you let a football player try to circumvent the rules? Haven't the antics of Stephen Garcia put an exclamation mark on quarterbacks who think they are above it all?
Let Ryan Mallett have that year off to focus on his studies, get that G.P.A. up, and get used to his new surroundings. Let him absorb all of the wonderful things in college that he probably hasn't had a chance to do. No pressure to beat another team. Just be a regular Joe. He's had enough turmoil in his life, enough pressure-filled decision making, and it's time to let him catch his breath.
Let him be a student. For just one year. Ryan Mallett, remember, is just a kid, not a football-factory machine.
Maybe, just maybe, if we treat him like a student, he'll avoid the pitfalls that so many players run into- impatient fans who are willing to sacrifice their collective souls to win a championship. Relentless boosters who bestow "perks" on future Heisman winners. Ruthless agents who waive big-money contracts to get the player's attention. And grown-ups willing to turn the other cheek when rules are broken.
The NCAA made the right decision. Now go have a Grande Latte at Starbucks and listen to your Ipod, Ryan. Next year, your life will change forever, and you'll miss this precious time that has been given to you.
Soak it all in. Enjoy the peace and quiet. And send the NCAA a thank-you note.
If Ryan's logic for immediate eligibility is based on coaching changes, I declare Do-Over for the past four years!
Who is counseling this kid, anyway.
Far too many of the scholarship f'ballers think they have NFL quality goods. The actual reality is that too many parents are leading the charge.
Too bad, Ryan. Don't forget to study in case you don't make it to the NFL or blow out a knee. I believe the major Wal-Martology is popular at Arkansas.
Then again, don't study or graduate.
Someone has to make the french fries.
---signed, A delusional CFB fan waiting for his team to rebuild after a wack A.D. and unqualified coach destroyed the legacy built by decades of work and fan loyalty
Whats funny is if he'd of stayed at Michigan he probalby would be the leading candidate to start. Good coaches work with what they have and highlight a players strengths. RR woulda done that
...and Mallett would have been fine. I sometimes wonder if maybe he thought Pryor was going to commit and take over at QB...I just dont understand why he would join a school with a new coach taking over cuz then your in the same boat again. He must really think "the coward" will get him a lot more ready for the NFL than would RR's spread
I think if a coach is allowed to leave a school, while still under contract and is allowed to coach the next season, a student-athlete should be able to do the same. Lets be real, most players (especially the star players) choose a school based on the coach and/or system a program runs. Mallet is not a spread guy so when Carr was fired and Rich hired, it made since to transfer. Why stay at a program where you will not fit in and miss out on an opportunity to make your childhood dream come true? In Mallet case, to be a NFL quarterback (he looked good as a freshman).
outofshape....when a coach changes schools under contract, he has a penalty to pay, unless the new school pays the buy-out. RR is getting sued by WVU. That's his potential penalty. Why should players get a hall pass? They made a commitment to the SCHOOL, not the coach.
edmonsk...I don't blame him, although I question why Arkansas...there's been so much instability there.
Dezz...good point....do you think the fact that Michigan was going hard after Pryor turned him off? That's an excellent point.
Huskers....true dat! The "moms" are the ones who have really started to get involved.
DezzNutz, I agree that Mallett would have probably started for Michigan given their current situation. That said, I don't see RR being particularly capable of altering his offense to accomodate his players skills. Fact is, he didn't do such a great job with the spread at WVU until he got what might be the best spread qb in CF today, Pat White. Without White RR is 28-21 at WVU with three bowl losses. With White, WVU is 32-5 with three bowl wins. RR's playcalling has to be a concern to a qb whose is suited best to a dropback, throw from the pocket style of play. WVU ran the ball 75% of the time in 05/06/07. Mallett made a wise choice in leaving Michigan if his desire was to play in the NFL. Now, whether going to Arkansas was such a great spot to land after jumping ship is another question.
Lisa, I agree with you that the players make a commitment to the school and that they need to accept the known consequences of leaving for another program. Whatever the reason is for leaving. Having coaches jump programs is disruptive enough but can you imagine the chaos of allowing players to move from school to school every year without penalty? Maybe we would even allow the coaches to recruit these players during the off season? Nick Saban would be in recruitment heaven. Mallett will be ok with the year off, he knew it was coming. Just think he may have gone from the frying pan into the fire.
But RR is not paying a penalty. UM is footing the bill. Athletes chooses schools because of the program/coach. If this was not true, there will not be any major vs mid-major programs because the talent will be more spread out. Top athletes pick winning programs for a reason.
outofshape, Not unless he thought RR would be leaving. RR is the wrong coach for Mallett. That said, even professional teams don't have unlimited free agency for good reason. Coaching changes happen every year and are just part of the game. Coaches and players need to live up to whatever they agreed to in their "contracts". Mallett knew he would have to sit out a year when he switched schools.
outofshape....Yes, Michigan is paying the penalty...but it's their choice. The penalty is still there in the contract.
Student athletes pick winning programs if they want to go on to the NFL. Only 5% of those football players go into the NFL. Not good odds, not at all. That's why the school is and always should be, the most important.
Look, Michigan will always have a competitive football program. Always. Just like Notre Dame, Ohio State, USC, Oklahoma and Texas. Everybody knows that nothing is forever, including coaches. If Joe Pa dies, does that mean all of their players should be allowed to transfer? Sure, but you have to sit out a year.
While athletes may base their decision on a coach or program, they are being foolish. They commit to the school, and nowhere on their commitment papers does it mention a head coach's name. The school's coach's name is not relevant. The commitment is to whomever the head coach is at that school.
Would Mallett have picked Michigan if RR was there? Probably not. It doesn't matter. Would the passengers of flight 93 boarded the plane if they knew it would be hijacked? You can't play hindsight games. ALL ATHLETES SHOULD CONSIDER THE SCHOOL AND ITS PROGRAM QUALITY/REPUTATION AS THE FIRST PRIORITY, NOT THE COACH. If the school has a winning program, chances are he will get great pub and do well. Regardless of the coach. But the school doesn't "owe" the student anything but a five year ride, insurance, and room and board.
If students choose the school, then the NCAA needs to get rid of recruiting. Coaches comes to the athlete's home and tell him and his parents that their son should come to the coaches school because he will fit into "coaches", not the schools, program.
And then when the student is there, he is encourage to take certain courses by the coaches because it won't interfer with athletics. I know the kid should know better, but again the ultimate goal is to get a pro contract not a college degree and many coaches put this into players heads because the coach's lively hood depends on how the players play.
Ty Willingham had players doing the school "thing" and was fired because he was not winning enough in football.
They need to change the name from student-athlete to athlete-student because of the money being made in college sports (football and basketball, that is).
If the coach that recruited an athlete decides to break his contract and leave for another school, the athlete(s) should be able to leave as well without having to sit out for a year. Now, if the coach that has recruited an athlete is there and a player is mad that he is not starting, then the penalty to sit out a year should stand if he decides to transfer schools.
How can you say that? Dude, only 5% make it to the NFL.
And NO coach ever makes a promise to a kid regarding his tenure at the school.
The ultimate goal is to get a pro contract, and not a degree? Newsflash....if that's the case, then most of these schools will not be able to have post season play or at the very least, 25 scholarships available every year to hand out.
There's this thing called APR, which has a minimum of 925 which must be met. If a school has an APR lower than 925, then they get hit with scholarship reductions. Less than 925 = less than 60% graduation rate. So while YOU make think a degree is not the ultimate goal, I guarantee you that a coach is very mindful of getting his players degreed.
if a coach breaks his contract and leaves, then an athlete should be able to leave as well?
Last season, there were over ten coaching changes made. Thats 850 players affected by those changes.
You think there's room for 850 players to transfer? Where are the scholarships going to come from? Most schools fill up their yearly allotment quickly, and don't have the scholarships available.
and USC just got dinged with a scholarship reduction from their basketball program because 60% didn't graduate. Others will follow. Now where do these elite players go to? Everyone will get scholie reductions and pretty soon, the red-flag academic athletes will not be recruited. You watch...the minimum age for the NBA will be raised to address this growing problem.
If there is no schlorship then the player cannot transfer. Everyone is not good enough to go to another school and make an impact. Only the top athletes (ie RM) will be given this opportunity. The average player will have to stay and make due with the new coach.
Also many times the new coach will play his recruits the following year. Is that fair to the athlete who came because of previous coache's system.
sure he can transfer...as a walk-on! And pay for his own education. Wanna bet if they have to pay for their education, more would graduate?
Is it "fair" that some players won't play due to a new coach wanting to play his recruits? Yes, it's fair. The athlete will never have been guaranteed a starting spot by any reputable coach. Only a fair chance to win the starting spot.
If the athlete is as good as his hype, a coach isn't going to be stupid enough to have him ride the bench over an incoming freshman. The best player starts. If he isn't the best, he doesn't start. How is that not "fair"?
Sounds to me like Arkansas is the perfect fit for Mallet. If I was in his shoes, the first thing I'd be looking for is a situation where the head coach should be on campus during my whole stay there. With a new head coach and one that appears to be committed to the pro set offense, I believe Ryan made a good choice. Second, I've got to give him credit for seeking an exemption from the NCAA. Anyone worth their salt should appeal the one year sit down even though they know it's a long shot.
Lisa H
When will these college athletes learn ? Going up against and challenging the NCAA is more akin to spitting in the face of the Federal government in particular the IRS. Then telling 'em to come and audit you. You know that in the end if they have to they will screw you and it most definitely'll hurt one way or another.
Lisa..Great article! The only thing I might add is: That anybody thinks a lotta these guys aren't goin' ta college to major in "Football" they gotta 'nother think comin'...
(Im almost embarrassed to jump in and say that cuzzit seems so..well..trite and obvious)
Football "Scholarships" have little to do with anybody bein' a....scholar...It's always been justa step to the Minor Leagues forda NFL...
RAMP....I don't fault him for trying. But the fans.....sigh. They just keep trying to enable and coddle these kids, then wonder why a lot of these kids get into trouble. When there's no accountability, there's potential trouble.
steve...only 5% make it to the NFL. The other 95% do need that degree. Don't sell them so short. :)
Lisa...a lot of students actually commit to schools because of the coach (ex. spurrier at florida) and if they leave the school while under contract I feel as though the student should be able to do the same thing
outofshape (and Attitude), Two major, major flaws with your statement, and I quote: "If the coach that recruited an athlete decides to break his contract and leaves for another school, the athlete should be able to leave as well without having to sit out for a year".
1) Does this mean if a coach breaks his contract he can bring the players he recruited with him to the next team? So WVU could have not only lost their coach but also Pat White in order to make RR's defection even more devastating to WVU? Huh? I don't get it.
2) I don't think Carr broke his contract did he? He retired from coaching. Does a coach retiring give a player the right to jump ship?
The fact is that players may be recruited by coaches but they commit to the university for a scholarship. The university. Allowing players to jump back and forth between schools due to coaching changes, bad weather, internal competition for a position, or whatever would create chaos.
One more comment on this topic. I think coaches that abruptly leave a program the way RR did should be ashamed of themselves. The players they recruited are justified in feeling betrayed by a coach that does this to them. Many, including RR, don't even have the courage to face their players, tell them why they are leaving, and apologize for not living up to the implicit contract with the players as well as their written contract with the university. If the NCAA wants to deal with the real villian in these case it should insist that universities hold coaches to the terms of their contract including sitting out any time remaining on that contract. Giving the players impacted a pass is not the answer.
tude....I understand that players commit because of coaches, and that's their biggest mistake. Coaches are no longer loyal. The players need to ask themselves if they would still like to the play at the school if the coach leaves. It's life. It changes.
skcu...good points. The problem is that coaches have to pay back the rest of their contract, but the other school usually pays it. Maybe there should be an enforcement of any new school not being allowed to pay for that? The coach is solely responsible, and cannot reap financial support from the new school to pay off his contract.
SKCU...I was referring to Rich Rodridguez going to Mich..not Carr retiring. That's a different case. If I'm a QB worshipping Spurrier and fully committing myself to Florida, but then he leaves for the NFL, for them to bring in Zook, (a totally different style of offenses) I should have the right to decline and transfer to another school, not necessarily follow a particular coach but go to another school with that similar style of offense....(such as Ryan now).
Red shirt a coach, just like an athlete is red shirted. That coach (rodriguez) didn't commit to his contract with WV, bailing out on his players....
Attitude, so why are the Arkansas fans screaming foul over Mallett sitting out next year? Fact is nobody I know of left WVU when RR went to UofM. Its the Michigan players bailing out. I know you didn't suggest a player would end up following a particular coach but the logic is inescapable. What if Spurrier had gone straight to South Carolina? Should the qb or other players at Florida who "worshiped" Spurrier (I think that would be idolatry similar to worshiping Baal but thats another topic) be allowed to leave Florida and move immediately to South Carolina? Should we reward these coaches who don't honor their contracts by allowing them to take these players along? Like you said, they signed on with the coach and not the school. Why shouldn't they be allowed to go where he goes? The lack of respect for meeting contractual obligations is rampant in sports. Pro athletes treat their contracts like toilet paper. Coaches are following suit. Its about time we started insisting on some integrity in our players and coaches, not pandering to their egocentric wishes.
If it is about an athlete committing to a school and not the coach and his system then get rid of college recruiting and let the players contact the school. We would think most top recruits are in school for a degee, but the reality is that most players see college as a means to get to the pros.
I speak as a high school football asst coach and teacher who preaches academics but also realizes the power of professional sports dream. Especially when those close to him mainly talk about how good of a player he is since he started playing sports.
Personally, I don't blame him for trying to get the year off waived. I agree that he should sit out the year, but no matter what anyone says he wants to play football. He has played football most of his life. I agree with you Lisa that a year break would give him a much needed different perspective look at being a college student, but I don't blame him for wanting to play.
What really chaps my behind is RR. I have no more love for Michigan than anyone else, but the similarities are scary between how RR is handling his new position and how Callahan came in putting the ax to everyone. I do not want to see any great program (except Texas) go into toilet because of one ego-maniac's desire to cement his name in the annals of college football history.
If RR is such a great coach, then why can't he tweek his offense to account for the players' strengths and weaknesses?
Sorry for the rant, Lisa. Great post, you got my blood circulating again.
i applaud him... i really do, he realized he had no chance to get to the NFL with Rodriguez as coach, i mean really what has Rodriguez done for the NFL other than Chris Henry and Pacman Jones?
though now he has to deal with Petrino who's done even less... other than help kill the falcons.
Lisa H, your a good blogger but dont ever refer to united 93 when talking about sports... that was a national tagedy, this is just football. i understand you were just using an analogy but it still was a little low and unneccessary.
Lisa,
First let me say it's great to be able to sit back and enjoy reading your work again.
As for Malett I bet he wished he had chose to transfer to LSU now that R.P. is gone from the school and roster. Better yet I wish he had chose to transfer here. Oh well guess it's rebuilding time in the "Big Red Stick" area.
Lisa H
You of all people should know that accountability and the NCAA oughtn't to be mentioned in the same sentence.
They'd rather see the staus quo remain as it is with 'em dictating everything that goes on in and out of collegiate sports.
To my mind it's a corrupt organization from top to bottom. How they're able to still operate is a disgrace.
Coaching drama, U have got to be kidding , Arkansas is below the wire on coaching changes. As for Ryan and his move back to the arkansas area it is for two obivious reasons The new arkansas coach Petrino and his knowledge of the quarterback position. The other reason was he is a home boy and he is now closer to hom
Hey Lisa, It’s a tough topic, on one hand I agree with you, the student chooses to sign with the school and not the coach so if the coach leaves, the school is still there for the player to play and get an education. On the other hand what are a parent and an 18 year old kid supposed to think or do when the parent asks the coach (who is sipping coffee in their living room) are you going to be there for 4 years? Are you going to look after my son since I can't do it from my home?
The coach says I will be here for 4 years and I will look after your son and than Boom the next thing you know 6 months later that coach is gone and all the new kids coming in are the ones who got the promises from the new coach and all of a sudden you feel like Rudy and you are never going to get to dress.
In a case like Mallett he was NEVER going to see the field at Michigan.
although I have no problem with the one-year sit rule for transfers, I think it is ridiculous to play the "student-athlete" and "five year gift" card. What does Michigan degree cost - $100,000? (150 at most) What type of revenue does a Michigan quarterback generate for the University over that time? I'd say that it is a good investment for the school. What about those players that aren't stars/revenue earners? Does the University stay loyal to them? The NCAA is an exploitive entity when it comes to football and basketball. Have you ever noticed that there are no "Miller Lite Play of the day" or "Aflac trivia question" during NFL games. The NFL is the biggest wh-ore out there, and they don't allow "in-game enhancements" or sponsored elements because they feel that it cheapens the league. Not the NCAA. They allow any and all revenue generating ploys - where is their committment to the sanctity of the game? integrity of the student-athlete? The NCAA won't have a playoff because a few rich fat-cats don't want to share the money. No mention of the student-athlete there either. Give me a break. If you want people to live with consequences, how about the NCAA requiring coaches to honor the contracts that they sign? that might be a good lesson for the students.
I think a better idea would be to instill a clause in contracts that says if the coach walks for a better deal and still has time left on his contract, that HE must pay the buy out. Another team can't pay the contract's buy-out or give the coach money to buy it out. What will happen is shorten the length of the contract, which is fine. A player who signs with a school will know that his coach only has a two-year guarantee.
Lebron-
No reputable coach EVER promises a recruit anything except a scholarship if he keeps his grades up and follows the rules. He doesn't promise the kid a starting spot, and he doesn't promise the kid he will be there in four years.
Sexy...coaching drama? You have an AD Broyles who lured Gus Malzahn from Springdale high to be the OC and run his no huddle spread. Gus gets three high school recruits from that high school. The Coach doesn't allow Gus to make the change to the O nor call the plays. Gus leaves to go to Tulsa. Coach gets busted on questionable text messaging. AD Broyles resigns. The two Gus-recruited players transfer. Coach leaves. Bobby Petrino, HC of the Falcons, writes a resignation note to his team after less than one year, and high-tails it to Arky. How much more drama can there be?
Lisa- You keep mentioning "the fans" and how upset they are. I'm a BIG Razorback fan and i know a lot of others. I was hopeful but didn't really expect that RM would get the exemption. I wasn't the lease bit surprised when it failed. I don't know ANYONE that was surprised or upset.
Arkansas is a good fit. I think you'll be surprised with how long Petrino stays here.
Culprit...hope you're right. But the message boards seem to indicate that a lot of fans are upset. That doesn't mean all the fans. But a lot. Good luck to your Hogs. It's tough playing in the SEC.
Just how hard and long did Ryan Mallett consider his options? Mitch Mustain, the USC quarterback transfer from Arkansas, has probably already regretted his decision to transfer after being shuffled towards the rear of the Trojans' depth chart. Oops.
Let him be a student. For just one year. Ryan Mallett, remember, is just a kid, not a football-factory machine. 
