NCAA Doesn’t Allow Players to Transfer After Their Coach is Fired Against Their Will
Florida International forward Dominique Ferguson announced Tuesday that he was entering the NBA draft, saying he’s unhappy about the firing of Isiah Thomas and unable to get permission to talk to other schools.
Ferguson told The Associated Press that his request to be released from his scholarship was denied by Pete Garcia, the school’s executive director of sports and entertainment. A subsequent appeal process that Ferguson said included a meeting with university President Mark Rosenberg also did not bring the release he sought.
The school had no immediate response to a request for comment.
“It’s been very confusing,” Ferguson said. “I’m getting through all this mess. It’s a big mess going on right now.”
In two seasons at FIU, the 6-foot-9, 210-pound forward averaged 8.0 points and 5.6 rebounds.
Several FIU players say they are considering transfers because of Thomas’ firing. FIU hired former Louisville associate head coach Richard Pitino to replace Thomas last week, and when he was introduced to the campus community, Pitino acknowledged that staying at the school may not be “a good fit” for everyone on the roster he inherited.
Once considered a top-20 high school prospect, Ferguson originally committed to playing at Kentucky. He made a surprising change of heart after the Wildcats fired Billy Gillispie in 2009, turning down offers to play for some of college basketball’s most storied programs. Kentucky still wanted him, as did major schools like Indiana and Louisville. Ferguson said he met both Cardinals coach Rick Pitino and Richard Pitino — a former assistant under his dad before taking over for Thomas — on the recruiting trail.
CLICK TO READ
Comments
comments
Powered by Facebook Comments
Dr. Boyce, while you have long been a naysayer of the policies and practices of the NCAA, with some merit, I might add. This particular issue is not an NCAA issue. Florida International University made this decision and they also have the power to initiate a change in the rule that allows them to make such decisions. Saying the NCAA does not allow college athletes to transfer when their coach is fired or for any myriad of reasons is simply inaccurate.
While the NCAA is the governing body of collegiate athletics making the claim that you have, is like saying the FCC did not allow Keith Ohlbermann to continue working at MSNBC when that was solely a decision made by his employer.