Rivals, Scout, More Power than Coaches?
The Wiz has an interesting piece on a story not many people are giving much mind (with the exception of everyone in the SEC). Not long ago the NCAA introduced what is known as The Saban Rule. The rule limits coaches from making off-campus visits between April 15 and May 31st. Saban is understandably pissed about the rule because it keeps him from doing what he does best — hitting the streets and making the rounds. How else was he able to pull such an elite recruiting class in so little time as coach at Bama? Well, one consequence of this rule is what the Wiz pointed out — Rivals and Scout now become the center of potential scandal. How so? He explains from Ron Zook:
Because operator/writers for Internet sites, such as Rivals.com and Scout.com, are the only ones who have unregulated access to recruits when coaches can’t talk to them, it’s an area that’s ripe for corruption.
“Some programs have secretly allied themselves with the Web sites that report on their school as another way to communicate with recruits.
“In return, the Web sites get better information, more traffic and make more money.
It’s the bottom line here — rules are broken and people are always looking for a way to bend the rules and create shortcuts. They’ll figure out ways to get in contact with players if they really want to, and it’s crazy to think that Rivals and Scout all of a sudden become the primary vehicle of communication between coaches and recruits for that six-week span.
