Advertisement
football Edit

Three-Point Stance: Kiffin is right about NIL, questions for Big Ten teams

Lane Kiffin
Lane Kiffin (© Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Rivals.com national analyst Clint Cosgrove shares his thoughts on Lane Kiffin's recent comments about NIL at SEC Media Days and poses a question to every coach in the Big Ten in today's Three-Point Stance.

*****

MORE THREE-POINT STANCE: SEC Media Days, Mid-South WRs, Metroplex DBs

TRANSFER PORTAL: Latest news | Transfer portal player ranking | Transfer portal team ranking | Transfer Tracker | Message board | Team ranking FAQs

CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State

CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State

CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State

*****

Advertisement

1. Kiffin is spot-on with his recent NIL comments

During SEC Media Days, Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin stated that the current state of NIL - especially the pay-for-play model some programs utilize - is a "disaster." He essentially added that college football has become the only major American sport where players can opt into free agency twice a year and leave for the highest bidder if they choose to do so.

Kiffin was spot on with his statements as the current NIL landscape has little transparency and even less regulation. We knew there would be growing pains with NIL. We were also told that the NCAA would learn from both the successes and failures of the current NIL structure and fix things over time. But, little has been done to fix anything NIL-related thus far and the problems only seem to be getting worse.

Programs have made money off of their players' image for years, with many star players leaving college football without a penny to show for it only to not make it professionally while their program laughed all of the way to the bank. That being said, the current trajectory of NIL could eventually destroy college football and something needs to change. I don't have all of the answers, but I strongly believe the first step in improving our NIL process is transparency. Only with transparency can we actually identify the problems that exist and make the process better for everyone involved - including the players. There has been ample time for action to be taken and the continued lack of transparency is absolutely dumbfounding.

*****

2. ONE QUESTION FOR EVERY BIG TEN EAST COACH

Jim Harbaugh
Jim Harbaugh (© Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports)

Tom Allen - Indiana: You are coming off of consecutive disappointing seasons and there is a lot of pressure to win now. What changes have you made to ensure you don't have a third straight disappointing season and what about this team makes you believe you are ready to win?

Mike Locksley - Maryland: You've built an extremely competitive program during your tenure as Maryland's head coach, but have yet to beat a ranked conference opponent since you have led the program. Why do you believe Maryland has struggled in the big conference games under your watch and why do you think this team will overcome that hurdle?

Jim Harbaugh - Michigan: Obviously the goal is to win a national championship at Michigan. Would you say it is a foregone conclusion that you will leave for the NFL in the case that you bring a title home to Ann Arbor?

Mel Tucker - Michigan State: You've had a lot of success in the transfer portal and were able to transform the Michigan State roster and win right away because of it. Looking back, would you take the same approach again, or do you think it has forced your program to live in the transfer portal moving forward?

Ryan Day - Ohio State: Beating Michigan is obviously a key component to winning a conference title and earning a high seed in the College Football Playoff, but you have lost by at least two touchdowns to the Wolverines in consecutive years. Have you been able to identify why Michigan has dominated the last two games and how do you make sure it does not happen for a third straight time?

James Franklin - Penn State: You have recruited at an impressive clip and Penn State has all of the resources to compete for a national title. You've had success during your tenure in State College, but have failed to make it to the playoff. What will it take for Penn State to make it over that hump under your watch and why do you believe this team is capable?

Greg Schiano - Rutgers: Your early returns on the recruiting trail are vastly improved this recruiting cycle. Did you make a philosophical change with your approach to recruiting, and if not, what has made this recruiting cycle different for Rutgers?

*****

3. ONE QUESTION FOR EACH BIG TEN WEST COACH

Kirk Ferentz
Kirk Ferentz (© Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Bret Bielema - Illinois: There is pressure for new head coaches to win right away and many look for a quick fix in order to do so. You haven't taken any shortcuts when building this Illinois program and many would say you have overachieved at this point in your tenure. How have you been able to do so despite the old school approach in a win now culture?

Kirk Ferentz - Iowa: You are the longest-tenured head coach in all of FBS football. To what do you attribute your staying power and how much longer do you see yourself doing this?

PJ Fleck - Minnesota: What is the fastest way for Minnesota to compete for a national title in today's age of college football: elite culture and good players or elite players and good culture? Is it possible to be elite in both categories at a program like Minnesota?

Matt Rhule - Nebraska: Nebraska has had a ton of success historically, but the program has underachieved for years despite the incredible resources and level of support. You have been in Lincoln for long enough to assess the program on multiple levels. What have you identified as the number one contributing factor to Nebraska's recent lack of success and how do you plan on fixing that?

David Braun - Northwestern: You are inheriting a bad situation and haven't exactly been set up for success this season. How do you plan on overcoming all of the distractions and do you believe that Northwestern can truly field a competitive team this fall?

Ryan Walters - Purdue: Recruiting has been a priority since you stepped on campus and you've had some early success. Aside from fixing Purdue's deficiency in roster talent compared to the traditional conference powers, what will it take for Purdue to compete for a Big Ten title on a yearly basis?

Luke Fickell - Wisconsin: The Badgers have been a Big Ten Championship contender on an almost yearly basis, but many have said you cannot win a national championship at Wisconsin. Why can Wisconsin win a title under your leadership?

Advertisement