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July 27, 2012

Big Ten coaches discuss Penn State players transferring within league

Andy Proffett Tribune-Star Correspondent

CHICAGO — There was no avoiding the elephant in the room at Thursday’s Big Ten Media Day.

Among the questions for coaches on Thursday at Big Ten Media Day — questions about Wisconsin’s position as heavy favorite in the Leaders Division, Purdue’s three-way quarterback race, Indiana’s efforts to improve enough to even win a conference game — the oft-asked question was this: with the NCAA allowing Penn State players to transfer and play immediately, would other Big Ten coaches be recruiting those players?

The answers, of course, were mixed.

First-year Illinois coach Tim Beckman was, in his own words, “proactive,” both in addressing the situation in his opening statement and in dealing with players who might want to transfer.

“It was brought to our attention by two individuals prior to even any sanctions being granted by the NCAA, that an opportunity might present itself for a transfer,” Beckman said.

“We did not go onto their campus. We only talked to individuals that would be willing to meet with us. We did not go after them. They had the opportunity to come to us if they would like to come to us and speak to us. And that’s how we handled the situation.”

Asked to clarify, Beckman conceded that Illinois had coaches in State College, Pa., on Wednesday. But “we went to two establishments outside campus and called some individuals and if they wanted to come by, it was their opportunity to come by.”

Penn State coach Bill O’Brien’s take?

“I have no idea what schools were on campus and I don’t care. That’s all I have to say on that,” the first-year coach said.

O’Brien was abrupt in answering questions related to the sanctions against Penn State: he simply answered “No” when asked whether he had talked with Beckman about Illinois coaches being on Penn State’s campus, and when asked if he had an update on Silas Redd, last year’s top rusher who is reportedly considering a transfer to USC.

“We’ve got a bunch of kids back in State College that are sticking together,” O’Brien noted. “[They] have turned the page, we’re ready to move forward.”

The sanctions against Penn State and Ohio State make both schools ineligible for the Big Ten Championship Game, leaving Wisconsin — last year’s winner of the inaugural conference title game — as the favorite in the Leaders Division, which also includes Indiana, Illinois and Purdue.

The Badgers will rely heavily on running back Montee Ball, the nation’s top returning Heisman vote-getter.

“I’d love to be a head coach that coaches a Heisman Trophy winner,” Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema said. “Our offensive line would love to be an offensive line that blocks for a Heisman Trophy winner, and everybody in our program is going to try to help him win that award.”

The Badgers used former N.C. State quarterback Russell Wilson last season, and will have another fifth-year transfer in Danny O’Brien (Maryland) vying for the QB spot this season.

But while the Badgers have been successful with players from other schools before, Bielema doesn’t plan to poach Penn State.

“I made the decision as a head coach, we would not reach out to any Penn State players,” Bielema said. “I’m not casting doubt on anybody or questioning anything, but we made a decision that we would not actively pursue any Penn State players.

“And it wasn’t anything more than I have a group of 105 players that are reporting [for camp] on Aug. 5 that I want them to understand and believe that I think they can help us win another championship.”

But what about those Big Ten teams that could use another impact player or two?

Purdue, coming off a 7-6 season, could move up in the division if the Boilermakers play with more discipline, coach Danny Hope said.

As for whether Purdue would try to lure a Nittany Lion to West Lafayette, Hope said, “As long as we’re compliant [with the NCAA], we’re going to exercise every opportunity to enhance our own football team.”

Indiana has nowhere to go but up — the Hoosiers’ lone victory in Kevin Wilson’s first season was against FBS opponent South Carolina State — but won’t go to State College to recruit without an invitation.

“I see it as a kid wanting to transfer,” Wilson said. “If that kid wants to transfer, he’ll contact you. I don’t feel like contacting those guys.

“We’re working on our program, our team. … If someone’s interested [in us], and by rule, then I think that’s a kid wanting to transfer, and I’ve been taking that stance more than, ‘Let’s go recruit those guys.’ ”

Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany said that, ultimately, it was the school presidents’ call on whether Penn State players could be recruited by other Big Ten coaches.

“Their response … was unanimous,” Delany said. “And that was this is not about competition between and among schools. It’s about the student-athlete having a full spectrum of opportunities.

“What I said to our coaches this morning [was] … I expect you to operate in a way that makes sense not just under the rules, but sense to you as adults. … If a player is interested in talking to you or has an interest in your university, so be it.

“Those are the rules. That’s what our presidents want. That’s what the NCAA wants.”

 

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Ethan Page is the race director for the Terre Haute Triathlon.

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Consultation: Rex manager Brian Dorsett talks with his pitcher and players during a time-out Sunday, July 15, at Sycamore Field. (Tribune-Star file/Bob Poynter)

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