🛑 Instant Reaction: The House v. NCAA Settlement Just Hit Player Development Hard
Why I’m Concerned About the Future of Athlete Support — And You Should Be Too
The NCAA House Settlement is official. Athletes will be paid directly. Headlines are buzzing. But while many are celebrating the long-awaited revenue share model, I can’t help but feel the tension building behind the scenes.
So I grabbed my mic, hit record, and spoke from the heart. No script. No notes. Just a real-time, raw response to what this all means for those of us who serve student-athletes beyond the field.
🎥 Watch my instant reaction here:
1. I'm Worried for the People in the Trenches
Let me be honest — I’m afraid for those in student-athlete development, academic support, and life skills roles.
Why? Because I’ve already seen the warning signs.
Oklahoma let go of key player support staff this year.
Kansas followed.
Whispers from other programs say they’re next.
As athletic departments scramble to make space in the budget for revenue sharing, guess who’s first on the chopping block? Not luxury boxes. Not new locker rooms.
It’s the people.
The people who help athletes grow.
The people who guide them through the identity crisis when the jersey comes off.
The people who pour into players with no agenda, just purpose.
That’s what hurts.
These young men and women still need development. Maybe now more than ever. They need someone who can help them become who they can’t become on their own. Take away the structure, and the money won’t fill the void.
2. The Roster Shrink Hurts More Than Stats
The second gut punch? The expected roster cap for football dropping from 120 to 105.
That’s 15 fewer spots — most of them walk-ons. And for what? To save money? To reduce liability?
During my time at Houston, Kansas, and Baylor, I worked with walk-ons who:
Became practice legends.
Anchored the culture.
Uplifted the team GPA.
And just wanted a shot at living out their dream.
Now they’re the ones likely to be cut.
This isn’t about roster management. This is about real human beings. They’re not scholarship numbers. They’re stories. And 15 of them per program might never get the chance now.
So… What Now?
I don’t have all the answers. But I do know this: the Paid Athlete Era is here — and we can’t afford to neglect the person behind the player.
🏈 If you work in this space,
🎓 If you care about athlete development,
🧠 If you’ve ever mentored, coached, or walked alongside a student-athlete…
Please watch this:
And let me know what you think. DM me. Email me. Drop a comment.
We’re going to need each other more than ever in this new landscape.
To those who’ve already lost roles — I see you. I pray for you. And I hope you land on your feet stronger than ever.
We need you in this field.
The athletes need you too.