Jay Paterno
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The Controversial Bishop Sycamore
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Amid a controversy last weekend when the Bishop Sycamore High School football team played IMG Academy in football, a lot has been written about that school. But what about the Bishop Sycamore from which this school has drawn its name? What does anyone really know about Bishop Sycamore the man? My “research” found the life…
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For Bobby Bowden, Coaching Was a Calling to Make an Impact
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Growing up in the 1970s and 1980s and starting my coaching career in the 1990s, there are a few faces that would go on the coaching Mount Rushmore of that era. Bobby Bowden would be one of them. And as a terminal illness has set a not-too-distant end point to his life, it is a…
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The NIL War Is On… The Facilities Arms Race Is Over
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Alabama Coach Nick Saban said this week that Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young was set to use his name, image and likeness (NIL) to make “ungodly numbers” approaching “almost seven figures.” A quarterback who has yet to be named the starter, let alone actually start or win a game, is already approaching a market value…
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What Might NIL Have Looked Like in the Past? Here Are Some Deals That Could Have Been
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Since the NCAA is now allowing college athletes to earn money using their own names, images and likenesses, social media has been awash in former players pondering how much money they would have earned in their day. So in the name of good-natured fun, here is a short list of deals that could’ve been made.…
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A Long-Distance Dedication Going Out to Mark in Indianapolis
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Those of us of a certain age remember what a long-distance dedication on American Top 40 with Casey Kasem was all about. Each week Casey read a letter from a listener dedicating a song to another listener. They often came with emotional back stories. If Casey were still with us, this week’s dedication would come…
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College Sports Transfer Rules Don’t Have to Be All or Nothing
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As an old-school college football fan and former coach, if I never hear the word “transfer portal” again, it won’t be a moment too soon. But the use of the transfer portal as the first resort for unhappy players is a sign of the times. We’ve seen the erosion of loyalty, commitment and the urge…
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NCAA’s Anticipated New Name, Image, Likeness Rule Comes with Downsides
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The NCAA this spring is rocketing toward allowing student-athletes to earn money using their own names, images and likenesses (NIL). This is being hailed as a revolutionary step forward that will free college student-athletes. At this point, if the NIL horse ain’t out of the barn yet, that horse is at least three-quarters of the…
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Sean Lee: A True Competitor and Leader Throughout His Remarkable Career
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Former Penn State linebacker Sean Lee this week announced his retirement after an 11-year Pro Bowl and All-Pro caliber NFL career. It concludes an incredible run, but one that 17 years ago was far from a certainty. As a high school senior, Sean Lee was not considered among the most highly-regarded, can’t-miss prospects. I know…
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From Across the Field, My Hat’s Off to Barry Alvarez
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Last week former Wisconsin football coach and athletic director Barry Alvarez retired after a long and successful career. Along the way in one’s coaching career you learn from the people you coached with and the players you coached. There are also people you coach against who make an impression on you. They force you to…
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College Sports Leaders Can’t Just Itch for a Long-Term Solution to Issues. They Have to Scratch for It
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Every once in a while, a wise old coach would listen to coaches and players discuss lofty team and personal goals and then say: “It’s one thing to itch for something. It’s another thing to scratch for it.” Wise words… Recently the Lead-1 Association surveyed more than 100 athletic directors about the future of college…