Article on SI.com re: Graduate Assistants

by hicalliber on Jun 11, 2009 9:53 AM PDT

I thought this article was interesting, especially with the recent news that Jon Embree would be joing the staff as a graduate assistant. Alabama (and other programs) are doing the same thing to take advantage of a loophole in the rules. Andy Staples writes:

At Alabama, Groh, who still receives money from Virginia, will take graduate classes and earn a salary comparable to a Starbucks barista. But he'll also be allowed to coach players on the field, and that has coaches and administrators concerned. They worry elite programs are exploiting a position typically used to provide an aspiring coach entry into a competitive field to augment their already substantial coaching braintrusts.

The article goes on to mention several examples of this practice and the general reaction throughout college football, although no mention is made of Jon Embree. If you don't recall, Embree used to be the TE/WR coach for the Kansas City Chiefs, UCLA, and Colorado. I don't really have too much of a problem with this because he seems well qualified as a coach, but it certainly makes me wonder about the merits of Jon being admitted into our graduate school. Obviously, we have some of the most competitive admission standards in the nation so I'd be interested to see his academic credentials. I believe someone else has mentioned this, but it's crazy to think that someone out there will possibly be rejected to a UCLA grad program because of Jon's admission. The entire article is worth a read, and I'd be curious to hear BN's thoughts on the matter.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

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hmmm.

I think my knee jerk reaction is to say we’ve done nothing wrong, no rules were broken. But to be honest, if the story mentioned USC doing this I know I would react differently.

I think in the end the bigger schools will have advantages the smaller schools do not. History and tradition will always keep the Michigans and Oklahomas ahead of the curve. I think this loophole should be closed, but they haven’t managed to close the loophole that allows schools to hire parents of Basketball players. I would prefer it were not part of the game, but there are great many things I have no control over which are a part of the game.

Cest la vie.

A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden

by MexiBruin on Jun 11, 2009 6:09 PM PDT reply actions

I'm very uncomfortable about this

It sounds like something that would happen at just$c* and that makes me uncomfortable.

by Fox 71 on Jun 11, 2009 6:25 PM PDT reply actions

by impaulv on Jun 11, 2009 6:28 PM PDT up reply actions

+2

Love My Bruins

by Bruingirl83 on Jun 12, 2009 8:37 AM PDT up reply actions

i think its a loophole that will soon be closed..and should be. the GA position isnt for guys like that – its for young coaches trying to break into the field, for former players who want to learn the ropes and get their feet wet. its hard enough already to break into coaching NCAA ball – guys like groh and embree are filling up spots that could be going to guys trying to get into coaching.

by jtthirtyfour on Jun 12, 2009 4:27 PM PDT up reply actions