Why College Coaches Need Legal Counsel
“College … coaches, even successful ones, are no longer untouchable in regard to their players’ off-field issues. As CEOs of their programs, they are going to be held accountable for everyone’s actions.”
Paula Lavigne and Mark Schlabach, Violated: Exposing Rape at Baylor University Amid College Football’s Sexual Assault Crisis, 293 (Center Street 2017)
Similar to a CEO, working as a coach at the collegiate level is an enormous responsibility, which can be both rewarding and lucrative. Like CEOs, collegiate coaches are decision makers. In order to be successful, the collegiate coach must quickly process all available information and make critical decisions that often have a long-term impact.
However, unlike a CEO, coaches are often under close scrutiny by their institutions, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (“NCAA”), the media, and sometimes law enforcement authorities. In fact, coaches can face undue pressure and/or allegations of misconduct even when they have done nothing wrong.
Unfortunately, with that scrutiny, issues can and do arise with the law and/or the NCAA. These issues can lead to problems that affect a coach’s professional future and personal reputation; such as disciplinary action, termination of employment, and criminal charges.
Unlike college coaches, CEOs have the benefit of a general counsel and in-house legal team to help prevent decisions that may lead to a negative outcome. Although the need for legal counsel is just as vital for coaches, they are left to fend for themselves when it comes to making decisions with legal implications.
While it is true most colleges and universities have a team of lawyers, those lawyers represent the institution and not the coach. Communications between a coach and the university’s lawyers will rarely, if ever, be protected under attorney client privilege from the NCAA or from law enforcement. Just like a CEO, coaches need an advocate who will put them in position to make the best decisions for their athletic program, their student-athletes, and themselves.
The Diefenbach Group is here to help. Our team of attorneys and support staff have a broad range of experience advising and counseling coaches, student-athletes, CEOs, institutions, government officials and military commanders. We are here to assist with anything from routine matters to serious legal issues.
The Diefenbach Group will put the college coach in position to make the best off-field decisions for his or her career and athletic program. With the Diefenbach Group, the college coach has a tactical advantage when it comes to legal and compliance issues, allowing them to focus on what they do best – coaching and developing their student-athletes.
