CHICAGO— Speaking Thursday at the Big Ten's media days in Chicago, UW head coach Bret Bielema more than chimed in on the recent NCAA investigations involving allegations of major violations at several noted programs, most prominently the Big Ten's own Ohio State.
Bielema took a hard stance against flagrant disregard for the rules throughout the offseason and showed no change of heart Thursday morning. While dancing around questions involving specific programs, Bielema managed to sneak subtle commentary on the situation into seemingly every one of his answers throughout the 15 minute question and answer session.
Beyond the issues involving specific violations and legal technicalities, Bielema expressed a true displeasure for the lack of integrity he and many others have begun to associate with the college football community. Describing the recruiting of Badger transfer quarterback Russel Wilson, Bielema noted that he could not have much contact with the former NC State starter ""because of NCAA rules, which we follow"".
Bielema's subtle commentary continued throughout his time on the podium. In seemingly every answer, the sixth year coach made a point of the belief that the integrity of a program is fully within the control and responsibilities of the head coach.
""I can control, handle, and manage the things on my desk,"" Bielema said. ""When you are consciously abusing an NCAA rule, there's no excuse for that.""
The problem with today's game, as the Wisconsin coach pointed out, is not the technicalities the pervade NCAA regulations, but rather with the flagrant disregard with compliance with the rules. Coaches across the country have shown a willingness to consciously choose the ""competitive"" solution, rather than sticking to the rules when it comes to recruiting, practice, and player ""compensation.""
While Wisconsin's insistence on doing things the right way may have taken them out of the running for the nation's top recruits Bielema has managed to turn UWs' clean program image into a positive recruiting tool.
""We may not be the first girl taken to the prom,"" Bielema said. ""But we're certainly not the last.""
Rather than getting involved in the ""Catch Me If You Can"" game played by the schools of the SEC (Vanderbilt excused) and others around the FBS landscape, Bielema has taken Wisconsin in the other direction, choosing to build a program around quality recruits whose character matches that of the Badger program.
Just as UW men's basketball coach Bo Ryan has done on the other side of town, Bielema has achieved an unheard of level of consistency as a result of this approach, taking the Badgers to bowl games every year of his tenure.
""You recruit your own problems,"" Bielema noted. ""If you wouldn't feel comfortable having a recruit babysit your kids, you shouldn't keep them.""
Wisconsin has proven that schools can win without having to evade the NCAA. Bielema has decided that his program, the universit, and Madison itself can be just as alluring as a new car or some free tattoos. But then again, maybe Columbus just doesn't cut it?
