College football’s landscape never really sits still, does it? The debate about who should lead and regulate the sport is louder than ever these days.
There’s been a growing call for a college football commissioner. Names like Greg Sankey, Nick Saban, Robert Griffin III, and Urban Meyer keep getting tossed around.
But on Fox Sports’ Triple Option podcast, Urban Meyer had a different spin. Rather than pushing for a new leader, he said what really matters is actually enforcing the rules we’ve already got.
Meyer didn’t shy away from calling out NCAA President Charlie Baker, either. He openly questioned whether Baker’s really managing the sport’s endless challenges effectively.
Urban Meyer’s Take on the College Football Commissioner Role
Meyer knows this world inside out, having coached at Ohio State. On the podcast, he argued that problems like NIL deals, the transfer portal, and conference realignment don’t mean we need a new commissioner.
He thinks the real issue is that enforcement just isn’t strong enough right now. To him, that’s where the focus should be.
The Current State of College Football
Honestly, college football feels kind of chaotic lately. NIL agreements have changed the game, letting athletes make money off their names and images.
The transfer portal’s made it simple for players to jump schools, which—let’s be real—has brought some instability. Conference realignment isn’t helping, either, with old rivalries and regions getting scrambled.
And then there’s the College Football Playoff, which has its own share of headaches. It’s a lot to keep up with.
Existing Enforcement Mechanisms
Meyer says the answer isn’t a new commissioner, but stronger enforcement. After the House v NCAA case, the College Sports Commission (CSC) took over oversight of direct athlete payments and NIL deals.
The CSC, run by former MLB legal counsel Bryan Seeley, is already supposed to enforce these rules. So, why add another layer?
Challenges Facing the CSC
The CSC’s job isn’t exactly easy. According to Front Office Sports, they’re bracing for legal battles that could chip away at their authority.
Meyer wondered aloud if tossing another executive into the mix would really solve anything. If a new commissioner doesn’t have real power, does it even matter?
Criticism of NCAA President Charlie Baker
Meyer wasn’t subtle about his feelings toward Charlie Baker, the NCAA’s current president and former Massachusetts governor. He questioned whether Baker’s up to the task.
Meyer even floated having Baker on the podcast for a blunt conversation. His questions—What the hell are you doing? and What are you going to do?—pretty much sum up his frustration.
The Role of Leadership in College Football
Some folks think a commissioner could bring vision to the sport. Meyer doesn’t buy it.
He argues the current structure and legal groundwork are enough, if they’re actually enforced. Why add more bureaucracy?
The Future of College Football
College football’s future feels as uncertain as ever. The leadership debate isn’t going anywhere soon.
Meyer’s take is a nudge to focus on making sure the rules we’ve got actually work. Commissioner or not, that’s what really matters if you ask him.
Urban Meyer’s sharp critique of college football leadership, especially his questions for NCAA President Charlie Baker, highlights a bigger issue. Is it really about getting new faces in charge, or just making sure the rules actually stick?
The sport’s changing fast. Regulatory bodies like the CSC need to step up and tackle these challenges, not just watch from the sidelines.
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