Transfers

With Ryan Mallett's official transfer to the University of Arkansas, I was thinking whether or not he should have to sit out one season before he he is eligible to play.  Mr. Mallett's situation is not unique, and many Division I football players are subject to this NCAA rule.

I think a player should be allowed to transfer to a new school, out of conference, without penalty when there's a head coaching change.  I think the rule should apply when no coaching change has occurred.  Here's why;

A player is recruited by the coaching staff and the program.  The coach(es) sell the football program and the school to the player and his family.  He commits based on these factors.  When the coach resigns, is dismissed, or retires, the original factors for choosing the school have changed.  The player should be free to transfer without penalty to another school out of conference.

Conversely, the transferring player should be penalized if he leaves on his own accord without a coaching change.  Under these circumstances, it is the player's desire to change his situation.  The coach and the school have honored their commitment to provide an education and a scholarship, but the player wants out of his original commitment. 

I can imagine situations where a change at the school has caused the player to seek a transfer.  An academic situation changed, a safety issue (Virginia Tech), or some other change occurred.  Under these circumstances, I still think the player should be able to transfer with penalty. 

My belief is the amount of players who transfer is minimal, and generally it only impacts Division 1 to Division 1 transfers.  The student/player should be protected as long as their decision was caused by outside factors.  Losing a starting position on the team is not a legitimate reason for the player to transfer without penalty. 

This issue leads to a discussion about players leaving early for the pros, and whether or not the player should payback the school or be penalized.  If the objective of a university/college is to educate the student for a profession, then a player leaving early to become a pro seems to fit the mold.   Some players are groomed to be pro athletes, and when this occurs, why penalize the player?