Only God knows what the future holds but I am certain of this: The college sports landscape which made so many of us fall in love with the teams, players and universities they represent is going, going, GONE. Let's just call it what it is: Professional sports featuring athletes who (sometimes) go to class. For now I will keep watching because, you know, I like watching the games. But how I feel about the participants is changing - and not for the good. I don't blame them for getting paid; in fact I think compensation for student athletes is long overdue - but what's happening now is nothing short of employing mercenaries, free agency without a salary cap. I don't like it.
The way I feel about it (I know you're all waiting) is this NIL wouldn't even be a talking point if we weren't so close to the memories of student-athlete amateurism. Fans, colleges, and coaches had it pretty good: a free network of great athletes entertaining us in a quasi-level playing field for little cost. Wave goodbye to that...she gone. It's now pay to play--pony up or watch your school become irrelevant. Culture? OK, fine, but translation? "We're not very good but if you're not interested in money, come to our school and make some friends!" I'll let you figure out which one the kids will choose. This coach is only speaking honestly on his way out the door. It's the new basis of competition now. As a fan, either be satisfied with enjoying a few upsets now and then or write another check.
"when you don’t have proven culture and solid recent success". Nailed it! I think any good sports (or business) program is all about Culture. Great leaders build success by first building a winning and accountable culture. Coach Smith does that, as we all knew he would (those that followed his career closely). Tinkle has been at OSU longer than Smith. If he has not built such a culture already, it is questionable if he can or will. I think the BB program culture at OSU is okay, just not Great enough to hold players in a competitive environment. No matter what your NIL funds look like, the culture is more important. The Ducks may have a great basketball NIL balance, but what about culture? Good, but not Great based on 2023 results and transfers? I think NIL and transfer portal will mostly expose program cultures more than anything else. High demand kids will keep jumping around until they can win, as well as fit in and feel supported. DJU is a good example.
What happened to “amateur “ sports? Thought that college sports and the Olympics were for amateur athletes. They both have turned into big businesses. The line between amateur and pro sports is well hidden now in my opinion.
Oh, come on. With a few exceptions, amateur sports originated as a rich man's (gender intended) game. Then it evolved into professional sports (see tennis) or which-school-could-provide-the-most-elaborate-facilities race (see Oregon, UCLA, Alabama, Auburn, etc.). In the meantime, other schools provided under the table payments and/or guaranteed jobs and careers after graduation. True amateur sports existed only in the imagination of naive fans.
I was highly disappointed in the way Tim Shelton left the OSU program. Spoke his heart but you don’t burn the bridge down on your way out. I wish him the best in his future, but wonder how many programs would want to hire him now.
I will agree however, that he may have done Tinkle and OSU a favor. Maybe some donations will come into their NIL programs. Hope so.
I thought Shelton's comments were puzzling considering he's moving to Colorado State...a seemingly horizontal move at best, probably a step down NIL-wise.
I think he was probably going anyway (does he see a short runway at OSU?) and viewed the landscape of CSU better given that it's competing against MWC NIL collectives, not Oregon and UW.
I feel sorry for Coach Tinkle. However, I admire his coaching passion and his honesty with admitting his recruiting mistakes after the Elite 8 season. We all want him to succeed. Wouldn't it be wonderful if he could walk into a 4 or 5-star recruit's house with a handshake and an NIL contract and say, "Welcome to Oregon State. We'll take care of you." Wishful thinking.....
I can't 'feel sorry' for a coach who got a $17 million contract to coach a mid level basketball team. As John says, in more ways than one, college athletics is off the rails.
I agree. But, like all of us, he has pride and an ego. All that gets bruised when you have a bad team and you're the only person to blame. Don't worry....I only feel sorry for him for about 19 seconds. Even If he gets fired, he'll be fine. He'll land somewhere else.
As far as Shelton’s departure; I see it a good thing. When faced with a challenge, the good rise up to it; the self-serving use it as a reason to search for greener grass. NIL will continue to reshape all facts of college athletics
Aw c'mon everyone, it's not Shelton, it's a budget that can't compete. Say you are a salesman of (pick any product or service) and your company can't compete of price by, pick a number 30-50%. No amount of talent with make you a winner. Smart he got out.
A true sales professional is able to find and create opportunities and success, in spite of perceived obstacles. Those who are constantly searching for “greener grass” very rarely find it.
Excuses are just that. Those that can, DO
Just one David’s view from a 35 year career in direct one-on-one retail sales.
I will never discount that great salesmanship can make a difference. I'm going to say, up to 10%. But man, if you are selling high tech components to APPLE and your competitor beats your price by 40%... that's not an excuse, that's an uncompetitive company you work for and you need to get the HE double hockey sticks out! 😎
LaVar Ball will forever be known for his famous words to an ESPN analyst, asking a TV talking head to "Stay in your Lane".
If Coach Shelton was the Head Coach, after going to his Athletic Director; if he wasn't satisfied with the direction from the top, have your agent speak.
Obviously Wayne Tinkle is focused on development and the players he has on campus.
SHELTON, can shake his fist, former Syracuse Coach Jim Beoheim can blame the transfer portal for the demise of the game. The fact remains the Portal and Booster-led collectives are apart of the game.
Adapt; or as former Boise State/Colorado Head man Dan Hawkins proclaimed "Go play intramurals BROTHER".
This was a good article. I learned something. I have been an OSU season ticket holder for years. I love OSU sports. I have donated to the sports program. The NIL situation is tough. I too thought Pope would be gone but so glad he is staying and that he received a nice NIL package. I am rambling because this is frustrating for us as fans who are watching players leave and the conference in limbo. One peculiar thing about Shelton leaving is that CSU is a step down from OSU. Anyway liked your in depth column.
First, Shelton is not gonna be missed. Not with that attitude and lack of commitment. Second, you just cannot underestimate the disaster of a recruiting class that Tinkle brought in after the Elite 8 season. He, and the program, are trying to bring the program back in the face of NIL and free agent transfer bizarro world. It will take a few years to recover. Pope is a potential life saver for Tinkle and the program IF they continue to progress. Crybaby Shelton did not help this effort by bailing and giving a crappy exit interview.
Who has Tinkle ever really recruited that was a top quality player? His son and the Thompson kids were never recruited. They were "legacies" who weren't going anywhere else. Trevor Pope was a good "get" but was a 3 star out of HS. There are literally more than a thousand of those every year. OSU has a hard time getting a Top 100 recruiting class, so Shelton was not doing much. Revamp your culture and revamp the assistant / recruiting coaches plus get the NIL people involved through the AD, if necessary
There is a lot of pressure for a coach to field a winning team and pay for top assistant talent. And they had better win. Then you have the back room dealing involving your talent on the floor. Other schools and agents trying to make a deal. One issue not covered John is whether the NIL team boosters are affecting donation totals in other areas of a program. This was brought up in a discussion. The same boosters that historically help fund coach salaries and other athletic expenses are the ones funding the NIL programs. If booster A gives the school X dollars yearly to help the athletic department budget, does he continue with that level of giving once the NIL comes calling for donations? If school facilitiy improvements have depended on certain deep pocked donation, do those dry up as those donating switch to funding the NIL? Fans want to win on the field and booster are fans who give a lot out of the wallet.
Solution is to sell naming rights for boosters, ie corporations. That way, it is not a donation, it is advertising. If college sports are going to become professional, then the pro funding model must be followed. Can you imagine people donating to their favorite NFL players? That sounds stupid because it is. On the other hand, the NFL and NBA do get corporations to pay big bucks for club seating. But that seating is used by corporations to make big sales and increase revenue. If money is going to drive college sports, a successful biz model is available
Shelton did the thing he needed to do. Colo. St. will never be a factor in D1 basketball. He’ll play his coaching career out with level 2 and 3 D1 schools and be happy. OSU can’t compete in the NIL at this point and in the near future. Tinkle being ousted has been talked about for two years and it’ll happen. Players come and go. So can coaches. All is fair.
Only God knows what the future holds but I am certain of this: The college sports landscape which made so many of us fall in love with the teams, players and universities they represent is going, going, GONE. Let's just call it what it is: Professional sports featuring athletes who (sometimes) go to class. For now I will keep watching because, you know, I like watching the games. But how I feel about the participants is changing - and not for the good. I don't blame them for getting paid; in fact I think compensation for student athletes is long overdue - but what's happening now is nothing short of employing mercenaries, free agency without a salary cap. I don't like it.
The way I feel about it (I know you're all waiting) is this NIL wouldn't even be a talking point if we weren't so close to the memories of student-athlete amateurism. Fans, colleges, and coaches had it pretty good: a free network of great athletes entertaining us in a quasi-level playing field for little cost. Wave goodbye to that...she gone. It's now pay to play--pony up or watch your school become irrelevant. Culture? OK, fine, but translation? "We're not very good but if you're not interested in money, come to our school and make some friends!" I'll let you figure out which one the kids will choose. This coach is only speaking honestly on his way out the door. It's the new basis of competition now. As a fan, either be satisfied with enjoying a few upsets now and then or write another check.
Reality.
It could also be a way to blame others for his failures as a recruiter.
"when you don’t have proven culture and solid recent success". Nailed it! I think any good sports (or business) program is all about Culture. Great leaders build success by first building a winning and accountable culture. Coach Smith does that, as we all knew he would (those that followed his career closely). Tinkle has been at OSU longer than Smith. If he has not built such a culture already, it is questionable if he can or will. I think the BB program culture at OSU is okay, just not Great enough to hold players in a competitive environment. No matter what your NIL funds look like, the culture is more important. The Ducks may have a great basketball NIL balance, but what about culture? Good, but not Great based on 2023 results and transfers? I think NIL and transfer portal will mostly expose program cultures more than anything else. High demand kids will keep jumping around until they can win, as well as fit in and feel supported. DJU is a good example.
What happened to “amateur “ sports? Thought that college sports and the Olympics were for amateur athletes. They both have turned into big businesses. The line between amateur and pro sports is well hidden now in my opinion.
The bag men have been paying college kids under the table for decades. The NIL now is the new bag men.
Oh, come on. With a few exceptions, amateur sports originated as a rich man's (gender intended) game. Then it evolved into professional sports (see tennis) or which-school-could-provide-the-most-elaborate-facilities race (see Oregon, UCLA, Alabama, Auburn, etc.). In the meantime, other schools provided under the table payments and/or guaranteed jobs and careers after graduation. True amateur sports existed only in the imagination of naive fans.
Oldfield saying “It was the first we’d heard about it” perhaps speaks volumes about the state of Oregon State basketball and the NIL.
I was highly disappointed in the way Tim Shelton left the OSU program. Spoke his heart but you don’t burn the bridge down on your way out. I wish him the best in his future, but wonder how many programs would want to hire him now.
I will agree however, that he may have done Tinkle and OSU a favor. Maybe some donations will come into their NIL programs. Hope so.
I thought Shelton's comments were puzzling considering he's moving to Colorado State...a seemingly horizontal move at best, probably a step down NIL-wise.
I think he was probably going anyway (does he see a short runway at OSU?) and viewed the landscape of CSU better given that it's competing against MWC NIL collectives, not Oregon and UW.
I agree. To me CSU isn't even a horizontal move. It's a step down.
CSU vs. OSU is a step down. But I think the dynamic of recruiting vs. MWC opponents vs. recruiting vs. Oregon/UW is way different.
I feel sorry for Coach Tinkle. However, I admire his coaching passion and his honesty with admitting his recruiting mistakes after the Elite 8 season. We all want him to succeed. Wouldn't it be wonderful if he could walk into a 4 or 5-star recruit's house with a handshake and an NIL contract and say, "Welcome to Oregon State. We'll take care of you." Wishful thinking.....
I can't 'feel sorry' for a coach who got a $17 million contract to coach a mid level basketball team. As John says, in more ways than one, college athletics is off the rails.
I agree. But, like all of us, he has pride and an ego. All that gets bruised when you have a bad team and you're the only person to blame. Don't worry....I only feel sorry for him for about 19 seconds. Even If he gets fired, he'll be fine. He'll land somewhere else.
“College athletics is off the rails, be sure.”
Eight words that say so much
As far as Shelton’s departure; I see it a good thing. When faced with a challenge, the good rise up to it; the self-serving use it as a reason to search for greener grass. NIL will continue to reshape all facts of college athletics
GO DAWGS
Aw c'mon everyone, it's not Shelton, it's a budget that can't compete. Say you are a salesman of (pick any product or service) and your company can't compete of price by, pick a number 30-50%. No amount of talent with make you a winner. Smart he got out.
I beg to differ.
A true sales professional is able to find and create opportunities and success, in spite of perceived obstacles. Those who are constantly searching for “greener grass” very rarely find it.
Excuses are just that. Those that can, DO
Just one David’s view from a 35 year career in direct one-on-one retail sales.
GO DAWGS
I will never discount that great salesmanship can make a difference. I'm going to say, up to 10%. But man, if you are selling high tech components to APPLE and your competitor beats your price by 40%... that's not an excuse, that's an uncompetitive company you work for and you need to get the HE double hockey sticks out! 😎
LaVar Ball will forever be known for his famous words to an ESPN analyst, asking a TV talking head to "Stay in your Lane".
If Coach Shelton was the Head Coach, after going to his Athletic Director; if he wasn't satisfied with the direction from the top, have your agent speak.
Obviously Wayne Tinkle is focused on development and the players he has on campus.
SHELTON, can shake his fist, former Syracuse Coach Jim Beoheim can blame the transfer portal for the demise of the game. The fact remains the Portal and Booster-led collectives are apart of the game.
Adapt; or as former Boise State/Colorado Head man Dan Hawkins proclaimed "Go play intramurals BROTHER".
John
This was a good article. I learned something. I have been an OSU season ticket holder for years. I love OSU sports. I have donated to the sports program. The NIL situation is tough. I too thought Pope would be gone but so glad he is staying and that he received a nice NIL package. I am rambling because this is frustrating for us as fans who are watching players leave and the conference in limbo. One peculiar thing about Shelton leaving is that CSU is a step down from OSU. Anyway liked your in depth column.
First, Shelton is not gonna be missed. Not with that attitude and lack of commitment. Second, you just cannot underestimate the disaster of a recruiting class that Tinkle brought in after the Elite 8 season. He, and the program, are trying to bring the program back in the face of NIL and free agent transfer bizarro world. It will take a few years to recover. Pope is a potential life saver for Tinkle and the program IF they continue to progress. Crybaby Shelton did not help this effort by bailing and giving a crappy exit interview.
Who has Tinkle ever really recruited that was a top quality player? His son and the Thompson kids were never recruited. They were "legacies" who weren't going anywhere else. Trevor Pope was a good "get" but was a 3 star out of HS. There are literally more than a thousand of those every year. OSU has a hard time getting a Top 100 recruiting class, so Shelton was not doing much. Revamp your culture and revamp the assistant / recruiting coaches plus get the NIL people involved through the AD, if necessary
Doesn't matter who replaces Shelton if he has no proper budget to buy players. That's what it's down to eh? Ecchh.
There is a lot of pressure for a coach to field a winning team and pay for top assistant talent. And they had better win. Then you have the back room dealing involving your talent on the floor. Other schools and agents trying to make a deal. One issue not covered John is whether the NIL team boosters are affecting donation totals in other areas of a program. This was brought up in a discussion. The same boosters that historically help fund coach salaries and other athletic expenses are the ones funding the NIL programs. If booster A gives the school X dollars yearly to help the athletic department budget, does he continue with that level of giving once the NIL comes calling for donations? If school facilitiy improvements have depended on certain deep pocked donation, do those dry up as those donating switch to funding the NIL? Fans want to win on the field and booster are fans who give a lot out of the wallet.
Very very interested in whether donations are cannibalizing gift giving in other areas.
Solution is to sell naming rights for boosters, ie corporations. That way, it is not a donation, it is advertising. If college sports are going to become professional, then the pro funding model must be followed. Can you imagine people donating to their favorite NFL players? That sounds stupid because it is. On the other hand, the NFL and NBA do get corporations to pay big bucks for club seating. But that seating is used by corporations to make big sales and increase revenue. If money is going to drive college sports, a successful biz model is available
Off topic—watching “30 for 30” on Bill Walton, episode 4, they show your Twitter comment John. Fun to see.
That is awesome. I will have to look for it when I see Episode 4.
Shelton did the thing he needed to do. Colo. St. will never be a factor in D1 basketball. He’ll play his coaching career out with level 2 and 3 D1 schools and be happy. OSU can’t compete in the NIL at this point and in the near future. Tinkle being ousted has been talked about for two years and it’ll happen. Players come and go. So can coaches. All is fair.
I thought it was weak to go public that way. Felt whiny to me.
Agree... he should have spoken up long ago. Who knows, maybe he did privately and nobody listened?
I know this one personally, if the kids don’t like you then you lost’em. Bobby Knight would not last long these days.
Knight would blow a gasket.
In a crazy way, in todays pay for play world, Bobby would never have succeeded in recruiting.