Web cams new tool for coaches to connect

Never let it be said that Phillip Fulmer dislikes his competition so much that he refuses to learn from them.

Such was the case when the Tennessee football coach had a video conference system added to his office this week.

"I had one installed in my office yesterday," Fulmer said on Thursday.

The move was clearly a response to Alabama coach Nick Saban, who found a loophole in the NCAA rules that legislate proper conduct during the spring evaluation period.

Until this year, coaches were allowed to hit the road recruiting during the spring evaluation period. The time was intended for recruiters to visit with high school coaches and occasionally have "brief, inadvertent" meetings with prospects, as allowed by the NCAA.

Then the NCAA deemed that all too often those visits with prospects weren't that brief and weren't that inadvertent.

Such can still happen between assistant coaches and prospects but the NCAA decided to take coaches out of the equation, not allowing them to travel in the spring.

Then came news that Saban had set up video conferences with prospects.

"I thought it was certainly creative, taking the rule to the full extent," Fulmer said. "Apparently it's OK."

While unintentionally giving Saban some credit, it was clear that Fulmer didn't see the move as completely above board

However, give Fulmer credit. When he saw there was an NCAA-deemed "fair" advantage to be had, he did so swiftly.

"Recruiting is about the impact you make," Fulmer said. "If you can get as close to face-to-face as you can, it's an advantage."

The "Saban Rule", as it's been dubbed, isn't really an innovative rule at all.

The NCAA has long counted all "electronically transmitted human voice exchange" as phone calls. That specifically includes Web cams and videophones.

"We have a rule, and it's been in place for awhile, that Web cams and video conferences are considered telephone calls," NCAA spokeswoman Stacey Osburn told The Associated Press. "We don't see it as a violation. It would just be subject to rules we have regarding recruiting and telephone contact."

Other coaches, like Fulmer, will follow Saban's lead. LSU coach Les Miles is already on board by being online.

Saban is one of many coaches who doesn't like the new rule eliminating coaches being able to travel in the spring, having called the new rule "ridiculous". And while many might not like Saban, he has a point.

The NCAA continues to limit contact between coaches and prospects, yet media and fans loudly criticize coaches whenever a player finds himself afoul of team or society rules. Perhaps coaches could make more informed character decisions if they knew the young men they were bringing into their program.

Since Web cams are considered the same as a phone call, Saban said he speaks to "four or five" recruits a day when he's in the office.

Saban said he first started using the technology when he was coach of the NFL's Miami Dolphins to give players a chance to talk to doctors or sports psychiatrists.

"I just think it's a better way to communicate," Saban told the AP. "It's great to communicate over the phone but I'd feel a lot more comfortable with this conversation right now if I could see the person I was talking to.

"In business meetings, they wouldn't use the technology if it wasn't a more effective way to communicate, would they?"

Ironically, the NCAA's recent rule change has actually legislated more contact between coaches and prospects. Last year, Saban was accused of breaking the "brief, inadvertent" rule. Now, he doesn't have to be brief or inadvertent because his time with a prospect is basically considered a telephone call.

Give Saban credit, he found a loophole - one that the NCAA will likely close by next spring. But at least he's not cheating.

For Fulmer, the new way of spring recruiting is actually a detriment. Fulmer's reputation as a great recruiter grew from hard work, spending long hours and long days visiting with recruiting contacts.

Now the playing field is more level. With a little technological savvy, any coach can meet with the same number of prospects that Fulmer can during the spring evaluation period.

Working hard isn't the key to success any longer. Working smart is.

Dave Hooker covers recruiting. He may be reached at hooderd@knews.com.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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