Player Media Availability - Should a Coach be allowed to control this?

[Walter]

After leading Oklahoma to a come from behind win over Texas, freshman Caleb Williams was denied the opportunity to be interviewed by Holly Rowe.

Lincoln Riley said no. I agree 100% with Holly and Justin King's takes below. 

 

[Jumper_Dad]

Without NIL I'd say that it would be fine. Many coaches have shielded freshman from the media over the years. NIL complicates it. While it may cost the player NIL opportunities, it will definitely be used against the coach in recruiting. 

[9068]

So basically Riley was trying to keep this young man from a difficult situation when the reporter would ask him about replacing Spencer Rattler. You know she would have tried to stir up a QB controversy. Maybe the coach has a policy against true freshmen being interviewed on TV. They won.....he played great. Enough said.

[Walter]

When Mick Cronin was at UC, he had a team rule that freshmen can't do interviews until after Christmas Break. Might still have the same rule at UCLA. No clue.

I understand why Lincoln Riley made the decision but it is definitely a bad look on his part. Kid played extremely well. Give him his moment and let him enjoy the fame. 

[sportsfan41]

20 minutes ago, Walter said:

When Mick Cronin was at UC, he had a team rule that freshmen can't do interviews until after Christmas Break. Might still have the same rule at UCLA. No clue.

I understand why Lincoln Riley made the decision but it is definitely a bad look on his part. Kid played extremely well. Give him his moment and let him enjoy the fame. 

I guess it's all open to interpretation. I see it as Riley trying to give his QB a chance to get acclimated.  I don't think NIL should factor into a coaches decision on interviews. I understand that sadly, it will though. 

[The Raven]

The media talks out of both sides.   Should the kid be allowed to talk?  Yes. 

If the kid royally screws up and costs the team a game and doesn't want to talk, should the media respect that and keep cameras and mics out of their face?  Yes.  Would they?  No chance on god's green.

[Walter]

 

[TheDeuce]

I don’t think a post-game interview is going to gain a freshman any NIL deals he couldn’t otherwise land. 

I do think a freshman could ruin an opportunity for a future NIL deal by saying something stupid in the heat of the moment right after a game.

I’m fine with coaches controlling post-game media availability to athletes, especially freshmen. 

[Irish Cat]

I don't think that it is necessary for a school to consider NIL with regards to any rules or policies it puts in place regarding their student athletes.  It's not the schools job to facilitate the athletes ability to secure NIL contracts.  That policy may have negative repercussions for the school with regard to recruiting, but again I don't see how NIL is something they should have to consider of account for.