University of Memphis basketball coach Tubby Smith complained about NCAA rules for player transfers Sunday, saying, “We’re teaching them how to quit.”
Smith rose to prominence coaching Kentucky in the 1990s and has also held head coaching jobs at Minnesota and Texas Tech.
Six players transferred out of Memphis after last season, and Smith was asked Sunday whether he thought he might see a number of transfers again this offseason.
“I’ve been in this business a long time, never seen anything like it,” Smith said. “We had over 800 Division I players transfer last year. We’re teaching them how to quit. That’s what we’re doing. Things not going well, let’s quit.”
Smith said the rules allow players to “transfer whenever they want.”
In reality, there is a proposed rule change that would allow NCAA athletes to transfer in the event their coach leaves the school or the team is punished with a postseason ban. As it stands now, players must sit out a year if they transfer (but do not lose a year of eligibility), or could continue playing right away if they earn an undergraduate degree and take graduate-level classes at their new school.
The Big 12 Conference proposed the “free transfer” rule to the NCAA, believing it would empower student-athletes.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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