Player turnover has increased dramatically at Cal. But, it doesn't appear to be isolated to Cal so rather than a thread on how Dykes can't keep players, I'd like to offer the factors that have changed over the recent years. Aside from the typical attrition (quitting the sport, injuries, failing classes etc) which hasn't changed much from the previous 40 years' experience, I see two new and interrelated factors. #1 - The graduate transfer phenomenon. The increased focus on academics seems to have resulted in more players actually succeeding academically! Great news, but that means that we have more players actually graduating in 4 years becoming, effectively, free agents. #2 - Players have to make the team. I believe Dykes has changed the culture and expectations for players. Rather than assuming that a player does the minimum and comes back a year later, it appears that players need to prove that they are worthy of "making the team" each year. The combination results in a number of players (Dozier and Coprich, so far, this year) being presented with the reality that they aren't good enough to be meaningful contributors in comparison to their newfound opportunity to play a year as a grad student at (hopefully) a decent academic institution. Obviously, Scarlett is a different story as he was a meanignful player.
Hopefully, we can benefit in reverse at some point. Our grad school admissions makes it more challenging, of course.
Hopefully, we can benefit in reverse at some point. Our grad school admissions makes it more challenging, of course.
