How do you stop players from faking injuries? College football coaches torn on problematic issue

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — On Monday, in a conference room at the convention center here, several coaches explored one of the hottest of hot-button topics in the world of college football: faking injuries.

In fact, the meeting even featured in-game clips of players (allegedly) dropping to the field in the middle of a drive in an effort, defensively, to slow an offense’s momentum and, offensively, to better gather the next play-call.

As part of the American Football Coaches Association convention, leaders here are adamant in finding a solution to a vexing issue.

How do you penalize programs enough to prevent the feigning of injuries?

“Maybe we just need to stop faking injuries,” deadpanned Florida coach Billy Napier, in a subtle jab at those who practice this art.

Alas, it is not so easy. Coaches, victims of their win-at-all-cost competition levels, need consequences for their actions. They find loopholes and they exploit them. But what if those loopholes were closed?

The committee of coaches emerged from Monday’s meeting with a plan: Any injured player would be sidelined the rest of the drive unless a team used a timeout to reinstate the player. A head coach fine — possibly tethered to a post-game review process — was discussed as well.

The proposal is in its very early stages. In fact, at Tuesday’s head coaches meeting, it was not discussed. Head coaches did vote for changes to the transfer portal. In a unanimous decision, the coaches are proposing a 10-day, singular portal window in early January, eliminating the spring window and condensing the current December portal window, too.

The coaches’ decision is only a recommendation that will now go before the NCAA Football Oversight Committee, a rule-making body made up mostly of school and conference administrators. The committee, likely to examine the issue during…

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Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2025-01-14 19:59:00

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