Big 12 football coaches discuss players being employees, playoff expansion

Now that spring football is wrapping up around most of the Big 12, a number of head coaches met to discuss hot topics in the world of college football, including the situation at Northwestern involving players wanting to become employees and what kind of impact a playoff system will make.

Apr 12, 2014; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Bob Stoops looks on during the spring game at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Perhaps some players are just looking at the benefits of becoming an employee without looking at the big picture. That’s what Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder believes when looking at what’s happening with the Wildcats in the Big Ten. It’s just a “stage in their life” and doesn’t put much more thought into it (via Campus Insiders):

"”I haven’t thought about it that way,” Snyder said. ”I consider them to be young men going through a stage in their life where they’re trying to formulate a foundation to be successful in life. I don’t see it any other way right now.”"

Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops takes a more direct approach. While he would never want to put a player in that situation, you could simply fire them if they’re an employee and things aren’t working out. But that’s not how the culture of football, and sports, should be.

"”I look at them as part of our family in a way,” Stoops said, ”and that we’re here to support them and help them in every way possible, and help guide them and help them get their education and develop them to be as good of athletes as they want to be.”"

Will the Big 12 see a decline of potential national championship teams with a four-team playoff? Most coaches agree that won’t be the case. With numerous football powerhouses in the state of Texas and Oklahoma, there’s enough talent to keep the Big 12 among one of the conferences that will have a team worthy of one of the four spots in the national playoff.

Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy believes, like many of us, that it will only be a matter of time before the playoffs expand to eight teams and more.

"”I think the stock market in college football is going through the roof,” he said. ”Four teams is going to draw more interest, and eventually it will go to eight because of the benefits and revenue that comes from the market for college football.”"