[NU Sports] From the NYT -- News Alert: Notre Dame Hires

[Mike Nolan]

> If they want to grab a coach who is under contract, then they 
> should  have to yield something in return.  I think that the NCAA should adopt a 
>  rule that says no poaching of any coach under contract until that coach 
> has  concluded a season with his or her team (including post-season 
> tournaments and  bowls).  I know it would be somewhat difficult to work and enforce, 
> but it  would give the student-athletes a better shake than they now have and 
>  more parity with their coaches.  They can't transfer schools without  
> sacrificing a year usually.  Why should coaches have it so much  easier?

Paul, I thought you worked in entertainment law, where a contract is just a piece of
paper.  

I haven't seen any reports yet as to whether Kelly has an escape clause in his contract
at Cincy or if there will be a RichRod-like dispute over the termination penalty.  

BTW, I do agree with you that the NCAA should give athletes more latitude in terms of
transferring, especially after a change in head coaches.  Far too many schools treat
their student-athletes like indentured servants, at best.  At least recruits don't sign
their letters of intent until February, so they're not legally bound prior to then to go 
to a school that is changing coaches.  (However, if they don't have their letters of
application and other paperwork in, it might be too late to change schools now.)  
--
Mike Nolan