Yes, I am committed to.........

I really wanted to concentrate on other events besides sports during these class assigned blogs but i couldnt help myself when i saw this story.

Another coach has jumped ship on his players and taken a position that is more favorable (money) for his career. From my perspective, football is the ultimate team game and also the most grueling. It takes a special person to stand up in front of 50 men and ask them to believe in what they are preaching and literally put their physical health on the line for a win. A win, more often than not, goes to the credit of the coach.

Bobby Petrino, the former head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, has left his team of players and other assistant coaches for a position with the University of Arkansas. Granted, Petrino is better suited for the college game but the NFL season is not even finished. It is obvious that this man's word is worth nothing.

Don't get me wrong, professional athletes are well paid and i am sure their feelings arent hurt too bad. The main concern i have is Petrino going back to the college ranks. He will now be recruiting 17, 18 and 19 year olds and telling them about how fine an institution Arkansas is and promoting his coaching experience to the parents of these kids. After the kids believe his bull, they will sign a 'letter-of-intent' to attend Arkansas and are usually treated with disdain when they have a change of heart.

The NCAA has a lengthy policy which explains that a player must sit out for one year of competition when transferrring to another school that is in the same division. Let me explain for those that dont follow sports - If i sign an agreement to accept a scholarship and attend to the university of michigan to play football and later begin to experience homesickness and opt to leave for a closer school, I have to wait one calendar year before i can compete in that sport.

And coaches?

Their are no policies in place to reprimand coaches for changing schools. A coach can come into your house in January, tell you that he needs you to help his team win then walk out the door in December when he has a better offer from another team/school. Where is the integrity? Nine months ago, Petrino was at the university of louisville coaching their football team. Arkanas is his third gig in a year. Those players at louisville are still held to their signature and expected to play no matter who the coach is.

Who looks out for the student-athlete in all of this mess? When the coach who brought those student-athletes to that university is allowed to shop around, most times after the saeson, then why cant student-athletes?

There needs to be some sort of guidelines or policies that makes these coaches stick to their contractual agreement and not only coach the football team but also serve as a role-model and not always jump at the first sight of a better opportunity.