The NIL chaos has left college football programs scrambling. What was supposed to be a win for student-athletes has quickly turned into a free-for-all. Players are constantly on the lookout for better offers, more money, more perks, and a flashier brand. Loyalty is fading. Teams are losing top talent overnight. Coaches can’t plan long-term. And the whole recruiting process? It’s a bidding war.
But Mike Leach saw this coming. The late college football head coach, famous for his offbeat interviews and explosive air raid offense, had a sharp mind for more than just Xs and Os. Before passing away in 2022, Leach pitched a game-changing idea that could’ve brought some structure to this whole NIL mess. He didn’t hate NIL. He wasn’t against athletes making money. But he believed the system needed guardrails, and he had a plan for it.
Leach’s proposal wasn’t some far-fetched, old-school rant. It was practical, fair, and would’ve protected both players and programs. Now, as schools throw millions at high schoolers and players jump ship after one season, his words are sounding more like prophecy. While college football leaders scramble for answers, the blueprint may have already been handed to them by one of the game’s most unconventional, yet brilliant, minds.
Mike Leach’s College Football Draft Plan
Mike Leach’s solution to NIL chaos was bold: create a College Football Draft system (CFB Draft) that gave players two clear paths: student-athlete or learning professional. It wasn’t about restricting opportunity. It was about restoring balance while giving athletes the freedom to choose what they wanted out of college football.
In the student-athlete path, players would receive scholarships and a fair share of revenue, all while staying on track to graduate. They couldn’t be cut based on performance, and they couldn’t be traded. But the biggest draw? A major retention bonus.
If a player stayed four years and earned their degree, they’d get a big payout. However, if they transferred or failed to graduate, they’d lose that bonus. It created a real incentive to stick with a program, grow within the system, and finish school.
Then came the learning professional track. This was for players who treated college as a stepping stone to the NFL. It allowed more movement and earning potential but came with fewer academic perks and less security. They could be traded or cut, just like pros.
Leach’s plan didn’t try to put the genie back in the bottle; it simply offered structure. It gave players real choices, protected programs, and brought some much-needed order to the NIL era.
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