Initial Reactions From College Coaches About The New JuCo Eligibility Rule
December 24, 2024 by Matt Heuser
The college sports recruiting landscape experienced a significant “what happens next” moment following a preliminary ruling in the eligibility case surrounding Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia.
Pavia argued that his time as a junior college (JUCO) student-athlete deprived him of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities, and thus, he should regain those years as additional NCAA eligibility. This ruling — initially specific to Pavia — has broader implications as it aligns with other ongoing antitrust cases against the NCAA. Consequently, JUCO players may retain their four years of NCAA eligibility, enhancing their access to NIL opportunities.
We reached out to a handful of college basketball coaches to get their reactions, and see how they anticipate this ruling — if upheld over the long term — impacting recruiting overall.
Enthusiastic Reactions
Highly-Ranked JUCO Coach: "Pretty incredible on many levels! Main one for me is: how do you say no to JUCO now? It prepares you and develops you. You can be more ready for immediate impact which maximizes your NIL possibilities while not using eligibility."
American East Coach: "Big-time for JUCO kids! Love it for them. I went to JUCO and coached at a JUCO. A lot of these kids need that year to adjust to ball, school, and being an adult."
Big Ten Coach: "Wild! Could really help some kids and make JUCO a more attractive place for prospects."
Sun Belt Coach: "I’m happy for the kids! More free education and preparation for four-year college."
Mixed or Cautious Reactions
MAAC Coach: "I want to be a head JUCO coach now! It opens up a few more options for all the kids who are good enough and aren’t being recruited out of high school. I think it’s awesome for that, and to get retroactive years back as a senior in college now, not sure about that though."
Big West Coach: "Mixed feelings but the good thing is that it gives a school like us another immediate option to get quality guys. Another added layer of things we have to weed through to find what works for us."
Atlantic 10 Coach: "So many things have happened over the last few years I can’t even keep up. This is just the latest and I have no idea what eligibility will look like in another two years."
Division 2 Coach: "Haven’t really researched it much. Eventually it will trickle down to D2, but I don’t know how it instantly will impact us."
Skeptical Reactions
SWAC Coach: "I’m just trying to forecast what’s going to happen next. It’s hard to keep up!"
Ivy League Coach: "Curious to see where it goes and where it stops. If it stays true to the ruling, then high school players are going to be recruited even less."
SEC Coach: "Game changer for JUCO’s and will really affect a lot of prep schools too. This will bring the JUCO level of play back to the 90’s when JUCO was loaded."
Southland Coach: "It feels really rushed to me! Will see a lot of guys playing now in college that are 6-8 years removed from high school."
Former Division 1 Head Coach: "Not a fan. They are killing high school basketball recruiting! You’re going to see a lot of good players move on from the sport to start their life and their families because they don’t want to be in college still at age 25!"
ACC Coach: "I’m just having a hard time understanding and grasping the ‘why’ behind all of this."