Dae'Quan Wright and LSU's eligibility fight highlights another huge problem in college sports: Coaches refuse to say 'no'

The legal battle involving tight end Dae'Quan Wright and LSU's eligibility has shed light on a growing problem in college sports: coaches' reluctance to say "no." The NCAA's recent ruling allowing athletes five years of eligibility, but excluding the 2022 recruiting class from an extra year of NIL money, has led to a lawsuit from Wright and other players.

This decision has inadvertently created a situation where players in NFL training camps could make more money by returning to college. However, the blame doesn't solely lie with the NCAA; it also falls on the coaches who fail to enforce rules they deem unjust. LSU coach Lane Kiffin, for instance, recruited Wright despite the possibility of him going undrafted and playing in the NFL.

Other coaches across the country are following suit, refusing to say no to potential recruits regardless of the rules. This behavior perpetuates a culture of unethical practices in college sports, where the fear of losing a competitive edge drives coaches to bend the rules. The NCAA's authority to regulate college sports is quickly eroding, and the coaches who continue to engage in unethical practices are the ones ultimately responsible.

Only by speaking up and refusing to participate in unethical activities can these coaches help restore integrity to college sports.