The Culture of Deceit in College Sports: A License to Lie

Strategic Insights -

College football coaches and athletic administrators have created a culture of dishonesty and corruption, where winning and money are prioritized over the well-being and integrity of student-athletes. The recent scandals surrounding Penn State, Ohio State, and Syracuse universities are the latest reminders of this pervasive problem.

Coaches like Urban Meyer, who was hired to coach the Ohio State football team despite his questionable behavior and lack of transparency, and Jim Boeheim, who defended his "friend" and assistant coach Bernie Fine against allegations of child molestation, exemplify this culture of deceit. Meanwhile, the NCAA continues to turn a blind eye to these scandals, allowing coaches to use their power and influence to protect themselves and their programs.

Key Takeaways:

  • Urban Meyer's hiring at Ohio State raises questions about his character and integrity, particularly given his lack of transparency about his interest in the job and his previous association with ESPN.
  • Jim Boeheim's defense of Bernie Fine, a basketball coach accused of child molestation, is a clear example of how college coaches will go to great lengths to protect their colleagues and friends, even when it means enabling harm to vulnerable individuals.
  • The NCAA has a history of turning a blind eye to scandals and cover-ups, allowing coaches to use their power and influence to protect themselves and their programs.
  • College football coaches are often rewarded with lucrative buyouts, golden parachutes, and opportunities to leave their current positions for better ones, regardless of their performance or behavior.
  • A study by Yale economist Matthew Kotchen and University of Cal-Santa Barbara political scientist Matthew Potoski found that football coaches regularly engage in "gaming the system" by voting in the USA Today poll in a way that benefits their own teams and interests.
  • Coaches like Lou Holtz and Clem Haskins have used Minnesota as a "stepladder" for their own careers, exploiting the goodwill and trust of Gophers fans to further their own interests.

Statistics:

  • According to the Wall Street Journal, a study by Yale economist Matthew Kotchen and University of Cal-Santa Barbara political scientist Matthew Potoski found that football coaches voting in the USA Today poll from 2005 to 2010 used their votes to improve their own rankings by an average of 2.5 positions.
  • The same study found that coaches used their votes to favor teams within their own conferences by an average of 2.2 positions.
  • The study concluded that the practice of "gaming the system" is widespread and has been a persistent problem in college football.

Sources:

  • Kotchen, M., & Potoski, M. (2012). Coaching the poll: How college football coaches game the system. Wall Street Journal.
  • Boeheim, J. (2011). Transcript of news conference.
  • Meyer, U. (2011). Transcript of press conference.
  • Souhan, J. (2011). Gophers athletics: A history of deception and scandal. Star Tribune.
  • Kotchen, M., & Potoski, M. (2012). Coaching the poll: How college football coaches game the system. Yale University, Economics Department.