A League of Its Own
From the Cheap Seats
by Chris Hahn
The popular thing in the NFL these days is piling on to the case against Steve Spurrier. Although I firmly believe every coach should have at least three years to develop the team and system they want, the case is simple: the NFL and college are two completely different games.
The prosecution would like to call Pete Carroll to the witness stand.
Sure there have been a couple coaches who have successfully made the transition from the college game to the quicker, stronger game the pros play. But even those who have done it haven’t stayed for very long. Jimmy Johnson had his success, but is the exception to the rule.
Your honor, I’d like to read into evidence the deposition of Barry Switzer.
College coaches have all the control. Their players are students who are dependant on their scholarship for survival. Each student-athlete is just a small part of the big picture, and the school’s program is the coach. Once they get to the NFL, the players have multi-million dollar contracts. Sometimes, they are the team, and are in many cases bigger than the coach.
It’s not just football. The same phenomenon (or lack thereof) occurs between college basketball and the NBA. Players such as Kobe and Kevin Garnett and Tracey McGrady have been able to make the jump directly from high school to the pro game. But coaches have trouble just moving up to the professional ranks from just one rung down the ladder.
We’d like to refer the jury to Exhibit A, Rick Pitino.
Perhaps it’s ego. Perhaps it’s pride. Perhaps it’s the money.
Hall of Fame teachers such as Joe Paterno, Bobby Bowden, Bob Knight, and Jim Boeheim don’t need the professional ranks to polish their careers. Regardless, for years to come, many big time college coaches will try it. But if they want to keep from being pressroom fodder, they might want to consider the case against Steve Spurrier…it’s a VERY different game.
The verdict: No Contest