The Clinton Rules

In 1998, POTUS Bill Clinton was in the hot seat for allegedly having an affair with Monica Lewinsky, which he adamantly stated “I did not have sexual relations with that woman!” Ok Bill, whatever you say! It was the scandal of the century and it garnered much attention, mainly because it dealt with the POTUS and of the course the Republicans were not going to let it die for their own political gain. Unfortunately, the mindset of all the Clinton supporters felt the matter was a personal matter and not one that effected his role or performance as POTUS. The moral compass was set from that point on.

Now, speed up to present day. Over and over again, more college coaches are being outed for their transgressions and not being held accountable for their actions, while the players are being held to the fullest extent of the campus, NCAA, state and federal laws for their immature actions. Rick Petino, Bobby Petrino, and now Bo Ryan were all involved in extramarital affairs with mistresses.

Coach Petino is back in the mix with allegations of using prostitutes and strippers to help recruit players. One coach was fired and the university self-imposed a penalty of not competing in any post season tournaments, but Petino still has his job. How is that? Bobby Petrino was fired at the University of Arkansas after he was involved in a motorcycle accident with his mistress and tried to cover up all the details from his superiors. He landed another Division I coaching job a year later at Western Kentucky. A year after that, he took a higher Division I head coaching job at the University of Louisville. I guess the administration and fans careless about promiscuous and adulterous coaches heading their athletic programs. Again, how did this happen?

And now Bo Ryan is the new poster boy for Cheating College Coaches! I would say allegedly that it’s true, but he admitted to his affair as well as all the evidence to prove it. Still, I don’t know what’s more disturbing and appalling. A highly respected, senior coach having an affair with a cheerleader (allegedly his mistress was a former cheerleader) or him having the audacity to retire midseason to make sure the Wisconsin administration hired his trusted assistant coach, Greg Gard, for the head coaching position and them allowing him to do it. I’m a betting man, so my money is on the fact that Gard knew about this affair as well. Although, Gard had no control over Ryan’s actions, typically ones integrity and reputation tends to be tarnished due to association. Gary Alvarez, Wisconsin’s AD, thought otherwise and gave Gard a five year deal at almost $2 million a year. Again, what is the message being sent?

The message I’m hearing is that some coaches are untouchable, mainly senior and middle age white ones. I know some people don’t want to admit it, but the facts are the facts. The media helps separate their indiscretions from their leadership position by talking about the coaches winning traditions and accolades, instead of focusing on their current immoral act and the negative impact it will have on others and the universities they represent. The universities help perpetuate the problem by sweeping things under the rug, administering minimal punishments, or discrediting the story itself. In the end the immature, youthful players are held to higher standards than the silver fox headed, (allegedly) wise coaches and moral corruption wins again.