If you were a MAC coach leading a program that hasn't won in a very long time and had a chance to get a player that you would have zero chance at getting otherwise, would you recruit the kid. This player has serious legal issues and attitude problems, but would be an all-mac player on the field an turn a weak position into a strength. Your school has a strong reputation and has never recruited this type of individual in the past. The crimes commited were violent felonies. Would you take this troubled recruit or pass?
I voted on depends on the situation, but describing the troubles the way you did I would say no. Chances are the kid isn't going to see a lot of playing time anyway because he will be in trouble again. Of course I am reading your post that this kid has got into trouble at least a couple of times and at least once it was really serious.
Even one really serious brush with the law would be enough to turn me off. As much as I would want to win, I would rather lose with dignity than to gain a reputation that would come with winning with a kid like that and having a program that looks bad with a kid like that on the team.
It is easier to find another job after being fired for losing but not breaking any rules or having troubled kids in your program than it is to find a job after being fired for not having control of your football program and the players on it.
In your question you ask about a "troubled" recruit. I consider acedemic partial qualifiers and those with troubled childhoods who are trying to turn around thier lives as troubled, so I answered that it depends on the situation. In your example, I don't care if the recruit has a criminal problem, the fact he has an attitude problem would be enough to make me pass on him. Even if he's the best that ever was, he would destroy team chemistry with his attitude. That along with violent felonies, I'd laugh at anyone who suggested I even consider adding him to my team.
I voted no as well. The felony assult is where I have a problem. Fights in practice happen, but slugging other students off the field is unacceptable. This kind a behavior is accepted at Ohio State. In the MAC we pride ourselves in doing things the right way. As the MAC grows more into a major conference that has more of these type of players wanting to play in the MAC , the pressure to take these thugs will be geater. Rewarding a felon with a D plus average isn't very good use of a scholarship.
Turns out the player pleaded to a misdemeanor, and was given one more chance and he F'd that up. He was thrown off the team. He transfered and is now enrolled in school. Atleast his mommy got a good lawyer. This kid has NFL talent and the rap sheet that NFL players have.
I think RocketJeff has it exactly right. Troubled is one thing. You bring in a kid like that and you tell all your other players that his behavior and attitude is acceptable because he's that damn good. That's the wrong thing to teach your players. Too many of them come out of high schools where they were treated just that way, only to find out they "ain't all that" when they get around other talented kids. You bring in a felon with and attitude problem, you're bringing a cancer into your lockerroom.
Like some others, I voted depends but after reading your post and your desription, it would be no.
It is not worth it when it comes to serious crimes, because like others have said, the odds are good that something will happen again. Although, that would just leave another player for Florida State....
I voted yes.
If the guy is a first stringer material at a skill position for a top 10 program (e.g. Randy Moss) its worth the gamble.
The only reason OHIO is giving Hinton a chance is because he's out of Virginia Tech's program and the Bobcats are in dire need of quality running backs.
Its more important for a program to graduate its players than to have super high standards as to who they accept. However, I disagree with a personnel strategy with a heavy reliance on non qualifiers like what Marshall is doing. The attrition rate will be higher........the program would be better off taking slightly less talented but academically better prepared players.
:chair: ....
.... :angel:
"troubled youth" and "felonious criminal" are not necessarily synonymous
My choice would be NO
Better to have a losing, CLEAN program than a winning, joke of a program. I said no. Read my lips... N. O.
:angel:
I've voted depending on the situation.I do believe in second chances,particularly if the person has paid their dues.Chronic offenders-no way!The BGSU recruit,if he can follow the straight and narrow-stay out of trouble and maintain decent grades,this guy would deserve a second chance.
I voted 'yes'. It worked for the University of Miami Hurricanes....didn't it? They built their program off of troubled kids.
Miami did but so did Nebraska. It was ok there, for a certain rb, to throw her girlfriend down the stairwell as well as commit voluminous batteries against her and play
They had a big time problems w/a bunch of their players in fact @ Nebraska that they looked like Barry Switzer sooners.
Hopefully they don't bring that attitude w/them to Athens.
Does Lawrence Phillips have any eligibility left?
DevilGrad Wrote:Does Lawrence Phillips have any eligibility left?
No. He used it up in the remake of The Longest Yard.
As many of you know, Kent brought in Abraham Elam last year after his legal issues and guilty plea in a rape case got him bounced from ND. There was much discussion about this on the Kent boards since Kent is the type of program you outlined in your example above. I said no way. I still say no way. However, by all accounts he was fine in his year at Kent, but I hope they never do that again.
Quote:As many of you know, Kent brought in Abraham Elam last year after his legal issues and guilty plea in a rape case got him bounced from ND. There was much discussion about this on the Kent boards since Kent is the type of program you outlined in your example above. I said no way. I still say no way. However, by all accounts he was fine in his year at Kent, but I hope they never do that again.
Ditto, brother Flash.