NCAA enforcement needs to be feared

Another offseason, another college football scandal.  While it may be nice to always be able to read about college football, the negative headlines are becoming much too commonplace.  Player arrests and drunk driving incidents are bad enough, but child sex scandals and inappropriate hiring practices are clear indications that these football programs have far too much power and influence.  Top football programs already seem to be separate from the core of the university, with their athletes having access to the finest workout equipment, great tutors, and relaxed academic standards.  Yet, when there are clear instances of wrongdoing caused by the perceived invincibility of the football programs and its members, the NCAA does nothing.  These crimes must stop, and they will only stop when NCAA enforcement becomes feared, and real punishments are doled out.

The definition of ‘lack of institutional control’ is of the utmost import. The problem is that it is too narrowly defined and enforced.  The death penalty case of SMU in the 80’s and the USC Reggie Bush era immediately come to mind when this is mentioned, but those involved specific players and coaches breaking rules, basically about improper benefits.  

Until the Penn State scandal broke, there hadn’t been a case that comes to mind of a coach’s horrific crimes being covered up by multiple members of the university or institution.  However, there isn’t a clearer case of an institution not having control of its football program than the Penn State case.  The Penn State case is much more egregious than the SMU situation.  Child sex abuse is not comparable to paying a few players.  Thus, they need to be penalized to the fullest extent. 

The Arkansas case is, obviously, not as severe, but still one that needs to be addressed.  The public may not have ever known about this if not for the motorcycle accident suffered by Bobby Petrino.  Since his accident, it has been revealed that Petrino pushed for the accelerated hiring of his under-qualified mistress at the expense of more qualified applicants.  

To be fair, the most qualified applicants on paper are not always hired, and everyone knows that networking is key when looking for a job.  More qualified candidates in all professions can be passed over for someone who knows the hiring manager from a previous experience.  

Petrino’s hiring of Jessica Dorrell, however, should’ve raised some significant red flags during the process.  Clearly, the University of Arkansas lost all sight of Petrino’s actions because he is the football coach and he is winning games.  Many mistakes were made, but perhaps none more costly than the University’s lack of interest in Petrino’s hiring practices.

Without real penalties, programs will not fear the retribution handed over by the NCAA.  Forfeited wins and a handful of reduced scholarships are the typical penalties currently, and they are evidently not deterring anyone from awful behavior.  Thankfully, in these two cases, the respective administrations were proactive and quickly fired their head coaches.  Sadly, these results will likely do little to change the culture that has already been established.  

The NCAA, or the institutions, need to step up and make real sacrifices.  Cancelling or forfeiting seasons raises awareness.  If a coach was unable to bring in any recruits, not just five less than normal, this would instill some trepidation before that coach makes a questionable decision.  New penalties need to be introduced for them to be noticed.  Without more severe punishments, the fans simply wait for the next big scandal, hoping their school is not the subject.