This is the type of story you pray is not true. It's unsettling and aggravating that a university and one of the most respected college football coaches could act in such a pathetic manner.
Corey Sutton announced his transfer from Kansas State in early May, at which time he presented the athletic department with a list of 35 potential destinations. The list did not include any Big 12 school or others on the Wildcats' future schedules.
Kansas State denied his transfer. To all 35.
"When I originally told Coach Snyder I was going to transfer he said, ‘Well, Corey, I feel bad that you want to leave, but I can’t make you stay,’ ” Sutton told the Wichita Eagle. “I dropped all my classes, moved out of Kansas and started looking at my options, then I find out they are denying me my release.
Sutton, a native of Charlotte, N.C., was a three-star member of their 2016 recruiting class. He caught four passes for 54 yards as a true freshman and departed the school in good academic standing with a 3.0 GPA.
“Coach Snyder told me today that when I signed my letter of intent that was my commitment to him, that I was going to be there for four years. I heard that and told him, ‘Coaches can leave. So why can’t a player leave? You made a commitment to me that you were going to treat me the right way and that’s not what you’re doing."
If this is accurate, Sutton has the right to be irate. However, he, shouldn't be surprised; this is how the NCAA allows athletic departments to operate. Coaches, administrators and other staff are allowed to freely bounce from school to school with no penalties and, most of the time, zero restrictions
In Sutton's case, he can transfer to another school. But without a release from K-State, he cannot be on scholarship, therefore must pay tuition.
“It’s my commitment that once we have signed the youngster that we’re committed to him as long as he behaves himself,” Snyder said. “I accept a youngster that comes into our program as making a similar commitment with a handshake and obviously a signed piece of paper.
“I’ve always said a youngster is free to leave, but I’m not going to release the youngster. It doesn’t mean that he can’t go someplace else and play. He can certainly do that. He wouldn’t be on athletic scholarship for a year’s period of time but could still go and play and then have a scholarship after that."
Here's why Snyder should be embarrassed:
In January 2011, Snyder hired Tulane defensive backs coach Tom Hayes to the same position. Hayes recruited players at Tulane; he signed them, he shook their hands and he made a commitment.
Hayes wasn't blocked from moving to Kansas State. He didn't have to sit out a year, have his salary reduced or suffer any other penalty.
Why is Bill Snyder allowed to hire coaches who committed to student-athletes?
“I don’t have enough money for [tuition],” Sutton said. “(Snyder) is trying to treat me like I am his kid. Why is he treating a 19-year old like that and trying to change his life like that?"
Good question.
