I feel that the coach can no longer be a trusted figure in the NCAA. Over the past few months, I have seen more investigations regarding players breaking the law, coaches with recruiting violations, and coaches abusing players.
Within the past month, Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach was fired for reportedly hitting one of his players during practice. South Florida head coach Jim Leavitt was relieved of his duties as head football coach for the Bulls after reportedly grabbing a player by the throat and slapping him twice during halftime at one of the Bulls’ game this past year. Mark Mangino, a highly respected coach who brought Kansas football back into the picture, was accused of verbally abusing his players, and ultimately forced to resign after seven seasons at KU.
I do no know what these coaches have gotten themselves into, but they are destroying the reputation of head coaches everywhere. I am really questioning their personal integrity, and how they carry out their business, since apparently this is now a business. They are more concerned about their job performance, getting those top recruits, and ultimately jeopardizing the experiences many of these student-athletes have in a college setting.
I understand the need to motivate players, to pump them up and get them going. However, there is absolutely no excuse to verbally abuse a player, even if he might be an adult, that causes serious psychological harm. These players come under the wing of these coaches, promised an opportunity to play, to represent their respective universities. But when coaches are abusive, negligent, and practice totalitarian rule, they damage the players.
What has gotten into you? Since when is hitting players acceptable? If you are trying to intimidate Woody Hayes, look what happened to him. The NCAA needs to further investigate issues of physical and mental abuse by coaches across the board. They need to put stiff penalties on these coaches, including immediate termination and criminal charges. These coaches are embarrassing the personal integrity the NCAA continually upholds.
Selfishness and greed have created corrupt coaches who will do anything to win. Mangino, Leavitt, Leach: you are jeopardizing the collegiate game. These kids are playing for free, and are in school. It is not a job for them, but an opportunity to shine as student-athletes, and walk onto that field with pride knowing they are representing the school that gave them the opportunity to play.