“The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence; it is to act with yesterday’s logic.” – Peter Drucker
Buckle up, folks. College football is teetering on the edge of a seismic shift, one that could change the game as much as NIL deals and the transfer portal.
We’re talking about unlimited coaches.
That’s right. The days of strictly capped coaching staffs could be going the way of the wishbone offense. Soon, hundreds of analysts and quality control coaches might be unleashed on the field, transforming the coaching landscape and potentially widening the gap between the haves and have-nots.
The Coaches Association is Going All In
According to a story by The Athletic’s Chris Vannini the change supported by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). Craig Bohl, the executive director of the AFCA, isn’t mincing words: “This is a hill the AFCA will die on.” They’re pushing hard for this change, arguing that it’ll open up more opportunities for young coaches to learn and grow.
And it’s not just the AFCA. Coaches like Texas Tech’s Joey McGuire are singing its praises, too. He sees it as a way to empower the talented young coaches currently stuck in analyst roles.
But Wait, There’s Resistance
Of course, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Some worry about ballooning staff salaries and a potential brain drain from smaller programs to the Power 4 powerhouses.
Ryan Silverfield, the head coach at Memphis, isn’t thrilled. He’s concerned about unintended consequences, like the Power 4 poaching even more talent from the Group of 5. Plus, he raises a valid point: is there such a thing as too many cooks in the kitchen?
Compliance: A Hot Mess
Here’s where it gets interesting. The current rules are so convoluted and hard to enforce that some programs are already ignoring them, letting analysts coach under the radar.
Cincinnati’s head coach Scott Satterfield is frustrated by this inconsistency. He’s playing by the rules, while others are bending them to gain an edge.
The Big Questions
Will This Actually Level the Playing Field? Or will it just further entrench the advantages of the big-budget programs?
What About the Graduate Assistants? How will this impact these staffers who are often just starting their careers?
Can Schools Afford This? With massive payouts looming for some schools, will they have the cash to expand their coaching staffs?
The Bottom Line
One thing’s for sure: College football is at a crossroads. The NCAA is loosening its grip, and we’re seeing major changes left and right. Unlimited coaches could be the next domino to fall.
Whether this is a game-changer or a recipe for disaster remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the coaching profession is about to get a whole lot more interesting.
Stay tuned. This is one story you won’t want to miss.