How much is a College Football Coach's ATS Record Influenced by Outside Sources?

[joegavazzi]

This is just a short article I wrote. I hope you find it interesting.





In late 2007, nice guy Bill Stewart filled in for then coach Rich Rodriguez, who had taken the money and ran to Michigan. Stewart upset Oklahoma 48-28(as +7) and was awarded the head coach job for the Mountaineers.


He’s gone 19-9 Straight up, but only 9-17 Against the Spread. He is the epitomy of what college athletics is supposed to be about as he cares for his players and seldom likes to embarrass his opponents. That coaching personality has become clear as his 0-6 ATS as a favorite of -16 or more in his coaching career.


In a more perfect world, this personality ATS trend might continue. But in the last year Stewart’s life has been greatly influenced by outside sources. Among other issues, he has received death threats on the Internet for his lack of point spread success and is now struggling under purported NCAA allegations for minor improprieties in the West Virginia program.


As many as 4 times this college football season, against Coastal Carolina, Maryland, UNLV, and Syracuse he could be favored on his home field by 16 or more points. Will he feel the pressures of outside influences to cover those numbers, or stay true to his own values and the purity that was once collegiate sports?

[BigdaddyQH]

I think coaches could care less about the line. A win is a win. If a team goes 12-0, I don't care if they go 0-12 ATS, they are going to the Big Game and their coach will be around for a long time.

[bmsOHST11]

Im with Bigdaddy there is no way a college coach would change the gameplan to cover the lines.... no way they cant pay attention to these lines to the point where they affect the outcome.. atleast I would hope not bc wouldnt that make the game fixed almost?

[ACCBlitz]

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[nflwins]

very intresting read but i disagree someone once said at texas is not if you win but if you win and cover some schools and alumni stress covering spreads these are the alum who donate big money to the kids in the way of cars special teachers apts moving mom &dad closer to the school rememeber this is big bezz real big and covering spreads are very important to alumni who are the ones with there $$$$ backing of the school who decides who is hired and fired and yes pressure is on coaches to not just beat but cover the spread i look for that coach to cover those spreads if he has the oppurtunity to do so.

[joegavazzi]

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[Uncle Harv]

Good article. I definitely think there's something too that. Coaches are human beings and can be influenced just like anyone else. But I think theres a point being overlooked, and that is, that the spread should be irrelevant. There should never be an incident of a coach "backing off" an opponent. The point of the game is to try to win, and win by however much you possibly can. Otherwise, you are cheating yourself, your team, and belittling your opponent IMHO.