Early Signing Period Could Help
Every year the same crap hits the fan. You've got coaches whinning because Urban stole their verbals. You here stories coming from down south where a mom is irate because Slick Nick wouldn't accept her son LOI after he was verbally committed the last 6 months.
Am I wrong in thinking that if the NCAA put in place an early signing date a lot of these problems would be resolved. Kids couldn't back out of their commitments, Slick Nick would be forced to be honest with his boarderline recruits.
What's the downside? The only 2 things I can think of is if a coach leaves or gets fired the kid should be able to get back on the market. On the other side, if a kid didn't make the grades and can't qualify then the coach/unviversity should be able to get that schollie back to recruit a new player.
Thoughts?!
February 3rd, 2012 at 8:36 AM ^
You were just listening to WTKA and John U. Bacon talk about it weren't you?
February 3rd, 2012 at 8:42 AM ^
however I never heard John U talking about an early signing period. I am at work, so I missed a lot. However, I was listening to him talking about Urban and other coaches and the "gentlemen's agreement" that doesn't really exist.
Did John U talk about a early signing period?? Either way, to me it makes complete sense.
February 3rd, 2012 at 8:46 AM ^
Towards the end of his segment he mentioned it. He didn't go over it very long, but he just mentioned that having an early signing period is better for everyone because National Signing Day takes its toll on coaches and players.
February 3rd, 2012 at 8:44 AM ^
Anytime the ncaa gets involved the rules get broken, coaches find a way around etc. i like the hoke policy, if you take another visit after giving your word, thanks but no thanks. Not that every coach is that honorable and willing to push his values above all else. I for one value that, more so then doing anything possible to sign the top class every year.
February 3rd, 2012 at 8:55 AM ^
I think it's stupid that there isn't an early signing period. Let players who really want to go somewhere sign before their senior season and not spend all of it taking phone calls and texts, even when they are already committed.
Let those who want to take a lot of trips and see if they can get a "hostess sandwich" served up at "Urban's Cafe" or experience "Southern Hospitality" first-hand do it, but give those who just want to sign and get it over with a viable option, too.
February 3rd, 2012 at 9:18 AM ^
Fo Sho, I agree. good points
February 3rd, 2012 at 9:32 AM ^
Gosh could you imagine the meltdown on all boards, not just this one.
Everyone is freaking out about "Well if Diamond hasn't signed yet and he says we lead, then he isn't coming" etc etc, then imagine if a recruit commits early, and doesn't sign early. MELTDOWN CITY!
February 3rd, 2012 at 9:44 AM ^
Just cause NSD to occur in August? The same insanity, just earlier?
What am I missing?
February 3rd, 2012 at 9:56 AM ^
What your missing is the fact that not all players want to commit early. Many want to drag it out and get all the attention. However, for the likes of Shane Morris and Dymone Thomas (examples of next years class) they are off the board for everyone. Urban Meyer wouldn't be able to stalk Thomas for the next year......well he could, however he couldn't get his commitment.
It would also allow the coaches to be able to focus on who they need instead of worrying about who they already have. I would have to imagine the college coaches would love this. Recruiting in football is so much more gruelsome than college bball.....
February 3rd, 2012 at 11:54 AM ^
Yes, it would. Hasn't anyone noticed how basketball's "early signing period" has become "the signing period"? Does anyone know when the regular signing period is for basketball? Does anyone get commitments during that time?
An early signing day would just push the recruiting cycle back. It wouldn't solve shit. So guys like the attention that comes on NLOID. They'd just get it early. Nothing would change, except that coaches would pressure recruits to sign early so they could wrap up their class earlier. Anyone who thinks pricks like Saban and Miles wouldn't be shoving LOIs under their recruits' faces and telling them to sign or they don't have a spot, doesn't know how this thing works.
I much prefer Brian's idea of a "don't recruit me" form, rescindable at any time, for any reason, at any tiny whim, and which can be signed at any time, by the prospect. The form would list one school whose coaches may contact the recruit and that is all.
February 3rd, 2012 at 10:04 AM ^
For one thing, under NCAA rules the school is not allowed to say anything publicly before a LOI is signed. If a coach were allowed to say that he has accepted so-and-so’s commitment, it would be a lot harder for him later to rescind it without a very good reason.
The whole concept of signing day is rather arbitrary. Just let coaches offer scholarships, and players accept them, whenever they want. Remember that a letter of intent is merely a one-way bargain. Under current rules, coaches can dump players at any time, for any reason, but the player does not have the same option with respect to the school. It so happens that Hoke and Michigan are honorable, but the rules do not require this.
The only 2 things I can think of is if a coach leaves or gets fired the kid should be able to get back on the market. On the other side, if a kid didn't make the grades and can't qualify then the coach/unviversity should be able to get that schollie back to recruit a new player.
The first of your two suggestions opens a real can of worms. If we allow kids to "undo" their LOI when the coach leaves, then why can't other players do that? Under current rules, they can't.
Your second suggestion requires no change to the rules. Schools already have the ability to re-use the schollie if the player fails to qualify.
February 3rd, 2012 at 11:51 AM ^
I have been on that soap box for years. The only problem is ESPN. They want to have their talking heads on TV discussing all the big signees and naming the number one class. Not an issue with basketball but it is with football. ESPN dictates to the NCAA.