MCLA Coach Leaves for NCAA Job (Duh)

Recently it was announced that LMU Coach Mark Frey is leaving the MCLA program to take an NCAA DIII job at Ferrum College.  First off, it is a credit to the MCLA that a coaching job in one of their programs carries enough weight that an NCAA school would consider such an individual for a position (this is becoming more and more common).  However, Mark Frey points out the many negatives of working at an MCLA school:

-lack of administrative support,
-lack of field/practice priority
-lack of consistent player commitment
-lack of consistent refereeing
-the inability to further develop ones coaching career

The above more or less lays out the realities of coaching at an MCLA school (with some exceptions).  So why would one coach at an MCLA school?  It is a great opportunity to coach, as long as you live in the area of the university and a) already have a day job, or b) are working towards a post graduate degree, or c) can make some money for yourself or d) are retired. 

Otherwise, it is a huge gamble if one uproots their life to move and work at an MCLA school. You are at the mercy of college students as well as making next to nothing. Why do that to yourself and your family? It is arguably risky to hope to use an MCLA position as a springboard to an NCAA job, and while Mark Frey, Matt Holtz and the like deserve credit for following this career path, it is certainly not the safest route to travel if the NCAA is your ambition.  Not only are these MCLA jobs extremely low paying, but all it takes is a group of students to get together and say, hey we don't like coach's personality, coaching style, etc., let's dump him.

MCLA programs have been able to function mainly on small university hand outs, player dues and fundraising to cover operational expenses.  However, operational expenses does not include salary expenses, so until either a) university administrations commit to properly paying MCLA coaches or b) teams significantly increase dues and alumni are able to donate enough to cover proper salary and benefit packages (unlikely) then a continued criticism of the MCLA will be it's inability to maintain or lure quality coaching.

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