If he wouldn't have I would have to. I like the idea of NIT being a down year, and a good chance to play 1,2, 3 games against solid competition to gain a little experience for the next season.
Honestly, we have no idea if Gruden can coach or not, because he was dealt such a crap hand.
Completely agree. Gruden is probably relieved to get the heck out of that organization.
5 Million for two years to do nothing?
Come on kneepad, you know me well enough. I wasn't praising Thompson or anyone else, just noting that players often stick up for coaches that they like. I understand why players stick up for Mooney. I'm willing to bet they would trade their love for their coach for a NCAA experience or deep playoff run, and probably still love that coach that led them there just as much.
Exactly, this is a great point. This has been a fall back position of truther nation (when we did have more than 1.5 posters supporting Mooney), essentially trying to make a case that you either have to have a cheating maniacal monster, or Mooney.
Not every football player on Alabama is getting paid - probably close to half are getting something, whether it was a payment when they signed with the school or some probably get some sort of compensation after a good game from a booster or two (see the movie the PROGRAM). In basketball - not all basketball players - but the top players on most teams. You reference Vanderbilt - I would say those players get nothing and as a result - they have been no good the last few years. I am sure under Stallings he was able to get some money to a recruit here and there. And now that Stackhouse is coaching with his UNC background - he will get some better recruits, which likely means some money changing hands.
I disagree - I would argue that more than half of the P5 basketball and football teams are doing something illegal by NCAA standards. Some of it might be very minor - maybe just a few extra bucks here and there, or extra gear, etc. Maybe a loaner car for a day or two so a kid can get around town. Maybe a plane ticket home to see family, etc. But all of this is illegal. Minority might be the schools willing to pay 100K for a recruit, but I still think over half of them are paying kids in some manner. And not every kid on the team - just some of them.
Every school has a very visible and public NCAA compliance program to prevent this. But I agree probably a lot of the schools are in violation of the some of the ridiculous NCAA compliance standards. But as far as paying a kid or their family under the table to play for your school, I'm pretty sure that is not only an NCAA violation but is illegal, so I think that is much more rare.
Will Wade is an idiot. Other coaches that due this at least put some degree of separation between themselves and payoffs, but not ole Willy Wade.
Oh no doubt, Redskins in a landslide. They have completely alienated their fan base. Every home game is filled now with visitor fans. Even the 49ers took over that stadium yesterday.
And look at Will Wade and LSU now. They are picked right now as a top 20 team and Wade is still coaching. Doesn't look like compliance is acting too quick to shut him or LSU down? Why - if LSU makes the tourney, that is more money for the school.
