If college football ever needed reform in the way it selects college football bowl participants, there is no time like the present.
Here in Iowa, we have had a little debate recently among Iowa Athletic Director Gary Barta and Iowa State Athletic Director Jamie Pollard. Barta believes a type of football playoff will soon be coming and that teams should be required to collect at least seven wins for bowl eligibility. Barta said that the present six –win qualification was instituted when teams played 11 games. Now that schools play 12 games, Barta believes the eligibility should increase one game as well. Pollard favors the current eligibility because his school qualified twice recently with six victories.
I have long been a critic in this space about teams qualifying for bowl games with 6-6 records. Teams are not being rewarded for a successful season but for a mediocre one. Maybe, the NCAA should reduce the number of bowl games and actually make it a challenge (and a reward) to earn a trip.
Teams that haven’t made bowl games recently need to simply step it up a few notches. The present system allows teams to make a “C” grade and reap the rewards, whereas these same teams should earn at least a “B” grade.
Mediocrity isn’t a cause for celebration. It’s an incentive to achieve more.
Showing posts with label Jamie Pollard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jamie Pollard. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Friday, May 21, 2010
Are College Players Spoiled?
Ken Miller who does a radio sports talk show on Des Moines, Iowa's KXNO wrote an interesting blog yesterday (http://www.kxno.com/pages/mattandmiller.html)regarding Iowa State's Athletic Director Jamie Pollard's comments on transfers.
It seems Pollard last month wrote comments to Keith Murphy, WHO-TV Sports Director, lamenting that over 500 players in the last two years have left one Division 1 program for another. Pollard basically questioned the character of these players saying that if things don't go the way they want them to at their school, they quickly transfer somewhere else.
Miller thought Pollard's comments were especially interesting in lieu of the fact that Iowa State accepted a basketball transfer this week from Penn State. Miller was probably thinking why Iowa State would allow this when Pollard basically said this tranfering was a huge problem in Division I basketball.
But this issue begs the question are college players spoiled? Yes, yes and yes. Maybe it started when little Johnny could shoot a basketball like none other in his grade school class. Special talent turned into special privileges. Well, that continue all through high school. Johnny gets to college and then realizes there are other talented players on the team and only one ball. Maybe his coach doesn't think he is as talented as Johnny believes. Johnny thinks the grass is greener somewhere else. He transfers.
This thought process may plague numerous college basketball types today. And if that is the case, what happens (as Pollard suggests) when the player gets out into real life? Who will save him then?
Players shouldn't shoulder the entire blame. How about coaches, parents and fans taking their share too? Not everyone can be a "star" in the athletic world and support players are definitely needed College athletics should prepare athletes for life experiences not only how to shoot a basketball and win games.
Life often throws full-court presses that requires staying and enduring the situation rather than fleeing from it. What better time to learn that coping skill than when you are young.
It seems Pollard last month wrote comments to Keith Murphy, WHO-TV Sports Director, lamenting that over 500 players in the last two years have left one Division 1 program for another. Pollard basically questioned the character of these players saying that if things don't go the way they want them to at their school, they quickly transfer somewhere else.
Miller thought Pollard's comments were especially interesting in lieu of the fact that Iowa State accepted a basketball transfer this week from Penn State. Miller was probably thinking why Iowa State would allow this when Pollard basically said this tranfering was a huge problem in Division I basketball.
But this issue begs the question are college players spoiled? Yes, yes and yes. Maybe it started when little Johnny could shoot a basketball like none other in his grade school class. Special talent turned into special privileges. Well, that continue all through high school. Johnny gets to college and then realizes there are other talented players on the team and only one ball. Maybe his coach doesn't think he is as talented as Johnny believes. Johnny thinks the grass is greener somewhere else. He transfers.
This thought process may plague numerous college basketball types today. And if that is the case, what happens (as Pollard suggests) when the player gets out into real life? Who will save him then?
Players shouldn't shoulder the entire blame. How about coaches, parents and fans taking their share too? Not everyone can be a "star" in the athletic world and support players are definitely needed College athletics should prepare athletes for life experiences not only how to shoot a basketball and win games.
Life often throws full-court presses that requires staying and enduring the situation rather than fleeing from it. What better time to learn that coping skill than when you are young.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Who has the Most Risk in the Iowa State Coaching Situation?
Now that the freshness of the Fred Hoiberg coaching hire is over, we can now analyze who carries the most risk: Hoiberg or Iowa State. Or is there really that much risk?
This would not be an issue if "The Mayor" had some head coaching experience. But the negative people seem to make issue with Hoiberg's blank resume.
Iowa State has little risk. The athletic department just endured four straight losing seasons. The program was pretty low. At times, Cyclone hoops were about as exciting as watching cars travel down Main Street on a Saturday night. Translation: it couldn't become much worse. Athletic Director Jamie Pollard hired a Cyclone hero in Hoiberg. Fans will probably flock back to Hilton Coliseum and give Iowa boy Hoiberg lots of rope in the rebuilding process. If Hoiberg flops, Iowa State just brings in another coach
Hoiberg has more risk but not that much. Could his glory boy status become tarnished if he cannot lead his alma mater to prosperity? I doubt it. Plus, if it doesn't work out, he could probably return to a NBA front office. Hoiberg's people skills will not have him lacking for gainful employment.
I like the hire and view it as much more reward than risk. Hoiberg will surround himself with talented coaches whether on the bench or on the speed dial. If he happens to become more of a public relations/CEO coach, it wouldn't be the first time in college athletics. Remember that football coach at Florida State with the first name of Bobby?
But I think in due time, Hoiberg will return the Cyclones to respectability. I'm not predicting Final Four in the next few years, but how about a few winning records for starters?
This would not be an issue if "The Mayor" had some head coaching experience. But the negative people seem to make issue with Hoiberg's blank resume.
Iowa State has little risk. The athletic department just endured four straight losing seasons. The program was pretty low. At times, Cyclone hoops were about as exciting as watching cars travel down Main Street on a Saturday night. Translation: it couldn't become much worse. Athletic Director Jamie Pollard hired a Cyclone hero in Hoiberg. Fans will probably flock back to Hilton Coliseum and give Iowa boy Hoiberg lots of rope in the rebuilding process. If Hoiberg flops, Iowa State just brings in another coach
Hoiberg has more risk but not that much. Could his glory boy status become tarnished if he cannot lead his alma mater to prosperity? I doubt it. Plus, if it doesn't work out, he could probably return to a NBA front office. Hoiberg's people skills will not have him lacking for gainful employment.
I like the hire and view it as much more reward than risk. Hoiberg will surround himself with talented coaches whether on the bench or on the speed dial. If he happens to become more of a public relations/CEO coach, it wouldn't be the first time in college athletics. Remember that football coach at Florida State with the first name of Bobby?
But I think in due time, Hoiberg will return the Cyclones to respectability. I'm not predicting Final Four in the next few years, but how about a few winning records for starters?
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