Is John Beilein bitter about Biefeldt transfer?

But instead of abolishing the grad transfer rule, they should make the guy sit out a year unless he can prove that he can get his Master's degree in one year.  I know it would have screwed us in football this season, but I want them to make the rule the same for all (grad or undergrad transfer).  

IMO, different sport but it would be pretty hypocritical of us to criticize the grad transfer rule given we got Jake Rudock and he was a major reason for our success.

Besides, we take the view that a scholarship is four years so if a player isn't panning out it's fine to give that player the firm handshake. It should work both ways. If the player is unhappy for whatever reason at the original institution the player should be able to transfer for a fifth year.

Of course we don't have to agree with a player's decision to do so but it should be that player's choice.

The grad transfer rule is probably the best thing the NCAA has done for the players in the last 20 years. So, of course, the coaches hate it.

Beilein's critique is partially accurate. It's not really about kids finding the right grad school, but it does give players who are not getting the type of exposure or playing time at their current school a chance to shine elsewhere. And for many it DOES give them a free year of grad school.

Wasn't the spot going to be used for Jaylen Brown? Then Brown up and went to Cal. Obviously it didn't work out that way and UM now has neither.

I honestly don't know if he particlarly cared about the Biefeldt transfer.  He certainly could have kept him around if he had wanted to.  I do wonder if this was just a question that he was asked about and responded appropriately.  

But yeah, if he is bitter about it, it's sort of his own fault.

Personally, I love the grad transfer rule.  It incentivizes guys to get their degree and gives them a little more agency in directing the path of their career.  

I get where Beilein is coming from where a school that invested a ton of time and resources in a guy is suddenly left holding the bag when a guy decides to trade up for another opportunity, but I'n ussually for more freedom than less and letting the system sort itself out.  There're always good and bad parts to it, the grad transfer has much more upside than downside(for players, coaches, and schools) in my opinion.

Should be coiol with grad transfers as long as it is not within the conference unless the team he is on is cool with it.

Probably better that our younger guys got a chance to develop.  Max wasn't going to be a difference maker this year.

But I think his point is one side of the story as well. Yes, if a kid is legit injured, and a school is paying for all his expenses regarding that injury and working with him to get back and he turns out to be good and some bigger school swoops in and takes him, that is unfair to the mid-major schools.

On the flip side, if a kid isn't as good, he's dedicated himself to the program for four years, but you want to make room, you don't need to accept him back for a 5th year. That seems very unfair to the kid. He's fulfilled his obligation to the school by getting a degree.

I tend to lean on the latter of the issue, because I think that's the one that comes more into play. But this isn't a cut and dry thing. Someone/thing is always going to be more on the "unfair" side of things. The question is really about what is more fair for all involved. I tend to think 4 years is promised, 5th year is whatever the player or coach want (if player wants to transfer anywhere, he should be able to; if a coach doesn't want to provide a 5th year, that's a valid option).

Two additional things:

I do think Beilein makes a valid point about looking into the integrity of the student getting graduate degrees. How many are actually getting those degrees. I think a lot of people are going for one year and not really doing anything with it. There still should be some focus on the student-athlete aspect of it. I'm not sure of how much they look into or regulate grad school progress, but I think that is something to look into, that these folks are actually advancing towards a degree.

I think people that graduate in less than 3 years are a gray area. 4 year scholarships should be guarenteed, IMO. That's a 4 year obligation both ways. However, if they've earned a degree, they fulfilled a major part of that obligation. In that way, I'm bit mixed. I'm in favor of guys being able to play immediately if they transfer, because they've graduated. But I think there may be some legitamacy to the program being able to prevent something like inter-conference transfers with immediate eligibility (if they wish to redshirt and then play, that's up to them). I don't have a firm stance yet with this, but it is some gray area. Of course, coaches could always waive the right to put any restrictions on it as well.

What a bullshit argument.  Especially when the players aren't being paid.

No he's not bitter. Perhaps it didn't work out quite the way we wanted. That still doesn't mean that Beilein is bitter about Bielfeldt. (Not Biefeldt, FTR. Try to spell names the right way).

As the years go by, Beilein is impressing me less and less in more and more ways.