Wyoming coach Joe Glenn remembers back to the Las Vegas Bowl in December when he had two tailbacks out with knee injuries and another sidelined with a concussion. At his side stood his redshirting prize recruit, Wynel Seldon, and a decision.
“If he goes in one play,” Glenn said, “he loses the whole season.”
When the NCAA’s Division I Board of Directors voted last week in favor of adding a 12th game starting in the 2006 season, coaches thought the board forgot guys such as Glenn. In a sport fighting a losing battle against dwindling scholarships, adding a 12th game takes a greater toll on players, they say.
Glenn estimates he had only 60 of his allowable 85 scholarship players in that game against UCLA.
“I’m just saying, let us use freshmen sparingly,” Glenn said. “If you give us a 12th game, then give us a little more of a roster to work with.”
Coaches hope the NCAA will eventually allow freshmen to play five years in order to fill holes left primarily by injuries. Last season Tennessee had 15 players lose a combined 60 starts because of injury or suspension.
“They’re always trying to say how noble they are, how they’re giving a great educational experience for the student-athlete,” Colorado State coach Sonny Lubick said. “But they don’t have time to think about all the ramifications. It does get a little out of hand. How can we justify one more game?”
Money. The NCAA admits it.
However, the vote opened a Pandora’s box of criticism after the Knight Commission urged the board to vote no until effects of recent academic reforms materialize.
Fans of a playoff system also screamed hypocrisy. Division I presidents have repeatedly stonewalled an extra game added to the BCS bowls because of academics. But they added an extra game for all teams.
The coaches aren’t buying the president’s arguments. They voted unanimously against the 12th game.
“It’s money, money, money for the big guys,” Glenn said.
Tennessee estimates it makes $3 million for one home game. So does Michigan. Colorado probably makes $650-$700,000, according to new athletic director Mike Bohn.
Still, the coaches wonder what price they must pay as another game is added. Grant Teaff, executive director of the American Football Coaches Association, said a 26-year study showed, due to attrition, I-A schools average only 80 scholarship players.
“The fact is most leagues have either moved toward or are thinking about a playoff game,” Teaff said. “A playoff game. A bowl game. That puts it in a category where it stretches the depth.”
Logistically, many schools will merely add a I-AA opponent during their current bye week. Wyoming, for example, is talking with I-AA Northern Colorado, Glenn’s old school, for its 12th game. The Pacific 10 is mandating a ninth conference game. Other conferences are trying to appease coaches who value the bye week for healing, both physical and mental. The Big 12 is discussing moving its season back a week to allow a 12th game without losing the bye.
The NCAA leaders and university administrations don’t know what the fuss is about. NCAA president Myles Brand scoffs at the Knight report, saying: “There is no evidence (a 12th game) is detrimental to academics. Baseball, golf, tennis, basketball teams are all off campus much more than football.”
“I think it’s great, for the simple reason that look at the opportunities of institutions across the country to rally fans and alumni and utilize the great assets so many people contribute together. Why not utilize them one more time?”
Bohn said at least 90 percent of athletic departments not receiving institutional support lose money. He said Colorado’s annual scholarship costs have jumped $650,000-$700,000. His old school, San Diego State, had an increase of $450,000.
Marcus Lara, a sophomore tight end at CSU, said a bye week just means another week of practice.
“I’d rather be playing a game,” Lara said.
As for Glenn, he never did play Seldon against UCLA. Glenn used senior Kevin Fulton, a special-teams player who didn’t have a carry all year. Wyoming won, 24-21.
Staff writer John Henderson can be reached at 303 820-1299 or jhenderson@denverpost.com
