The Role and Responsibilities of a College Football Commissioner: An In-Depth Examination
The concept of a college football commissioner has been a recurring topic of discussion within the sport, particularly as issues like NIL (Name, Image, Likeness), the transfer portal, and revenue sharing continue to reshape the landscape. This article delves into the potential responsibilities of such a commissioner, arguments for and against the position, and possible candidates.
Introduction: The Need for Leadership?
Recent events, such as the satellite camp vote saga, have highlighted the need for strong leadership in college football. Tennessee coach Butch Jones emphasized this need, stating, "There's a great need for leadership." The current structure, with its various factions and competing interests, often leads to disjointed decision-making and a lack of cohesive direction. This has led some prominent coaches to advocate for a commissioner who can act as an independent voice and guide the sport forward.
The Case for a College Football Commissioner
Proponents of a commissioner argue that the position would bring standardization and a unified vision to college football. Here's a breakdown of the key arguments:
1. Standardization and Normalization: Stanford coach David Shaw, drawing from his experience in the NFL, believes that the College Football Playoff (CFP) marked the "end of the old ways," necessitating greater standardization in areas like scheduling, recruiting rules, and staff sizes. He envisions a commissioner working with league officials to build consensus and, when necessary, making definitive rulings.
2. A Single, Independent Voice: Coaches like Michigan State's Mark Dantonio and TCU's Gary Patterson believe that a commissioner could provide a single, independent voice for the sport. Patterson argued that having one person deliver the message would eliminate the conflicting messages and regional biases that currently plague college football.
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3. Overcoming Factionalism: Alabama coach Nick Saban, like Shaw, has coached in the NFL and appreciates how the NFL's model shapes policy for all organizations, rather than individual divisions. He believes a commissioner could look at the game from a broader perspective, free from self-interest.
4. An Effective Model: Former Big Eight/Big 12 commissioner Chuck Neinas suggests that the College Football Association's (CFA) organizational structure would be an effective model for a hypothetical commissioner.
The Case Against a College Football Commissioner
Critics of the commissioner concept argue that the structure of college football makes it impractical. Here's a breakdown of the key arguments:
1. Lack of a Centralized Authority: Mid-American Conference commissioner Jon Steinbrecher argues that college football doesn't operate in a dictatorship. With 10 FBS conferences, each with its own hierarchy, it's unrealistic to think a model with one person at the top could work.
2. Overwhelming Scope: Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby believes that imposing a commissioner over college sports is better suited for professional sports. An FBS commissioner would oversee 128 schools with varying budgets, structures, and objectives. An Power 5 commissioner would oversee 65 entities, more than double of any major pro league.
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3. Regional Differences: College football is inherently region-driven. Each conference has its own culture. The Big Ten is not like the SEC, and the SEC is not like the Pac-12.
4. Bureaucracy and Cost: Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith notes that a commissioner would need a national office with staff and expenses, creating a bureaucracy. He also questions whether a commissioner could be truly independent unless their salary was funded from an outside source.
5. Loss of Power: The Power 5 leagues essentially run the sport, and their well-paid commissioners wield tremendous influence. Neinas doesn't envision any of them willingly ceding authority to an independent commissioner.
Potential Responsibilities of a College Football Commissioner
If a commissioner were to be implemented, their responsibilities would likely include:
- Setting League Rules and Regulations: The commissioner would be in charge of establishing and enforcing the rules of the game, ensuring fair play and consistency across all conferences.
- Managing League Structure: This would involve overseeing the organization of conferences, divisions, and schedules, as well as addressing issues related to realignment and expansion.
- Negotiating Television Contracts: The commissioner would play a key role in negotiating lucrative television deals that benefit all member institutions.
- Enforcing NCAA Compliance: Ensuring that all teams and players adhere to NCAA regulations, including those related to recruiting, eligibility, and academic standards.
- Addressing Key Issues: Tackling pressing issues such as NIL, the transfer portal, and revenue sharing, and working to find solutions that are in the best interest of the sport.
- Settling Disputes: The commissioner would act as a mediator in disputes between teams, conferences, or players, ensuring that all parties are treated fairly.
Is There a Compromise?
A college football commissioner likely won't be implemented soon (although a few more mistakes like the satellite camp vote could change things). Bowlsby, who chairs the group, thinks there is a consensus to "modernize" elements of the game, like recruiting rules. Time will tell if it has a favorable effect on the game.
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Some coaches, like Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald, are willing to be patient. Fitzgerald expressed excitement about the football oversight committee and praised Bowlsby's leadership. Getting the coaches involved is a major challenge.
Who Would Make a Good Commissioner?
Those who oppose a commissioner for college football make some valid points. It would be an incredibly hard job requiring a uniquely qualified individual. The ideal candidate would possess widespread respect among coaches, athletic directors, league commissioners, university presidents, and television executives. They would also need thick skin, the confidence to make tough decisions, and the ability to make decisions for the entire sport, not just one region. Intimate knowledge of the game is also essential.
Other commissioner advocates think managerial experience is vital, including a strong knowledge of NCAA compliance and the ability to work closely with other administrators and commissioners.
The Current NCAA Structure
To understand the potential role of a commissioner, it's important to understand the current NCAA structure. Division I features several committees composed of volunteers from member schools and conferences who include college and university presidents, athletics directors, coaches, student-athletes, staff, faculty members, and conference office personnel. In 2014, Division I restructured to give more emphasis to student-athlete voices at every level of decision-making.
At the NCAA’s national office in Indianapolis, more than 500 staff members work under the leadership of a team of executives who are granted authority by the NCAA Board of Governors. The Senior Management Team is the group of closest advisors at the national office to President Charlie Baker. The President’s Cabinet includes the Senior Management Team and other vice presidents. The Cabinet meets monthly to report important developments and provide input on issues facing the Association.
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