I can’t say that I’m shocked that we’ve gotten to a point where coaches are now leaving institutions in the middle of a season - a long-time honored commitment - for another school.
The most salient point is that he is leaving a situation that is was committed to him, with students who have were committed to his leadership, and the current status of the team, the University, and the fanbase on the brink of success never seen before.
All of it, full of constant reactions of “SMH” with a lot of eye rolls.
How did we get here?
It's not lost on me - I’m just a mere Northeasterner commenting on the culture of College Football…especially within the South. I’m aware I’ll never fully understand the emotion, but I’m just peeking in, and it’s not great.
The departure has given college athletics yet another turn in what feels like an increasingly snowballing culture evolving into chaos. More so, operating in a space lacking ethics and foundational qualities surrounding the “student-athlete” (remember that?).
The space that once was “for love of the game” or “unlike the pros and their money” has become much worse (just my opinion) than professional sports. The college athletics space emphasizes “me” and “brands” and overall, “getting the most of the system” in a way that completely strangles all of the ideals sports and athletics are supposed to uphold. Especially for the development of its students.
It’s difficult for me to criticize Lane Kiffin for his decision. It really is. Would I have done it? Probably not. However, there are many circumstances involved, and we all make professional decisions. My only take - if you will - is that there is nothing responsible or caring in any of this. College athletics is now an environment that no longer pretends to care or be responsible for the growth of young men and women.
An even bigger take? Again, if you will…
The many, many, many millionaires (and billionaires) who give to these schools not as an investment (as it would be in professional sports - as a way to increase earnings and maximize return on investments) but to just…give. Just GIVE! For what, you might ask? For the hope of their school winning a National Championship.
Taking it one step further, people care more about their alma mater winning a National Championship and will give at no end, over low-hanging social issues that can be solved. Hunger?
Maybe that's too far for some...but for those that can get their mind past sports - I'm sure you've thought about it, too.
I’m stepping down off this high, high soap box now.
In the space of college athletics that now operates in this space with universities and institutions racing to keep up and leaving behind core student and institutional values for the sake of temporary notoriety, championships, and the attraction of the powerful wealthy, how can I blame Lane Kiffin for making this move?
He left for all of the reasons that now run the space.