Sports fans are buzzing with excitement as the landscape of college sports has undergone a major shake-up, with the Power 5 conferences being replaced by two super conferences, the Big Ten and SEC. The Big 12, ACC, and Pac-12 have all made significant changes, with the Pac-12 now consisting of only two schools. This drastic realignment began in the summer of 2021 and has now culminated in a new era of college athletics.
Coaches are also facing new challenges in this modern college sports landscape, particularly with the introduction of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. Coaches Ben Johnson and Dawn Plitzuweit of Minnesota reflect on how NIL has changed the way they approach coaching, now having to consider player transfers and financial opportunities in their planning.
Johnson and Plitzuweit both acknowledge the importance of allowing players to benefit financially from their talents but also warn of the potential pitfalls of making decisions solely based on money. With agents now involved in college sports negotiations, coaches must adapt to this new reality and continue to focus on their role as transformational mentors for the student-athletes.
In other news, the NAIA’s only all-Black conference has rebranded as the HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) and added three new schools. This change will provide more opportunities for student-athletes in volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, and baseball to compete in the NAIA national championships. The conference’s growth and evolution signal a bright future for Black college athletes.
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