Mike Brey was one of the first voices in taking on transfers and redshirting them. It made Notre Dame a respected program under his guidance. But even he has his limits, and he’s not happy that the NCAA might implement a one-time transfer exception for all student-athletes.
In Monday’s appearance on “College Hoops Today with Jon Rothstein”, Brey made his thoughts on the integrity of transferring clear:
“Every transfer I’ve taken both here at Notre Dame and when I was at Delaware did the year in residency and they’re better off for it. Is it this generation? It is this culture — that they’re just impatient about waiting a year and getting stronger as a basketball player? What about the academic component and the graduation rates?”
Before you post the “Old Man Yells at Cloud” meme, know that he’s not as upset at today’s student-athletes as he is about the reasoning behind this consideration. He made this clear when asked if he thought the NCAA doesn’t want to deal with waivers anymore:
“It is disappointing on the part of the NCAA and I think a little weak on their part quite frankly. Their explanation is, ‘We have tried to weed through these waivers. Some of them have been presented with false information and lies and we’re forced to make a decision on whether or not this young man should be eligible right away.’ I just think that it is a safe political position to back it up and make it a one-time waiver for all transfers. I thought we could handle that stronger in Indianapolis. I definitely think that is the argument. They can’t get through the waivers. They feel there’s too much false information. There’s too much work and maybe a potential lawsuit if they grant it for one young man and not another. Coaches sound off publicly — they (NCAA) get bad press. I just don’t understand why we can’t see the big picture. A year in residency is a good thing.”
Chances are Brey simply is letting off steam before before this inevitable change comes to college sports. It’s funny how the cause you championed can become something you dislike because it’s evolved into something beyond what you believed it. That’s because it’s not your own cause anymore.