Word: hancocks
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...have won 11 national championships in their storied history, the team has not won one for 21 years. And while some may point to the shortcomings of its coach or players, a more fundamental reason may lie in a crisis of the Catholic faith. (See a story about Bill Hancock, head of the Bowl Championship Series...
Besides the obvious fact that he's drawing what is presumably a handsome salary, why would such a nice guy want one of the worst jobs in sports? Hancock realizes he's about to take his hits, but laughs off the idea that his new position is a burden. He's a believer. "I love college football," says Hancock, who returned my phone call after attending a Thanksgiving potluck at his grandson's grade school. "I believe in the BCS because a playoff would be equally contentious. For example, if you had a four-team playoff today, which two undefeated...
...championing the BCS system, created a decade ago by a cartel of college presidents and commissioners from the country's elite athletic institutions, Hancock is essentially defending the OPEC of college football. "I think what's been missing in this is some reasonable dialogue," he says. "The other side has had the field to themselves. And it's time for us to be on the field talking with people." To that end, Hancock and the BCS have hired high-level help. President George W. Bush?s former press secretary, Ari Fleischer, has joined the effort to spruce up the image...
...certainly pick apart Hancock's arguments for keeping the BCS. For example, he says that since playoff games would most likely take place through December, the event would cut into the players' study time during finals. But it's not like players are burying themselves in the library under the current set-up: they are still practicing for bowl games, which take place later in the month and after the New Year, through much of December. Hancock points out that in the current bowl set-up, 68 schools and their fans get the chance to enjoy post-season play...
...arguments against the BCS will never subside, and it will be hard for Hancock to convince doubters that he's not just a flack for the schools and bowl executives enriching themselves on the current system. However, if there's anyone who can at least quiet some BCS critics with his passion, dignity and down-to-earth charm, it's Hancock. He should start at the top, and propose Beer Summit II with the BCS' most high-profile critic. "I'm an Obama guy and I'd welcome the chance to visit with him," Hancock says. If Hancock calls...