No argument the current system has developed into a big business where coaches in a handful of sports make CRAZY money. But the reality is a solid coach, is just as important as great players. Look at the heights ISU hoops has reached under coaches like Johnny, Floyd, Eustacy and Hoiberg vs. McDermott & Prohm.
How has Memphis done with their elite HS talent the last few years?
But your statement that AD's have made tens of hundreds of millions off players is misleading. Sure schools have made huge money off FB & MBB, but the money earned by those 2 sports has been invested in student-athlete sport programs in WBB, Wrestling, Volleyball, Track, X-Country, Softball, Gymnastics, etc, etc.
Last time I looked, most P5 athletic departments and all G5 athletic departments are subsidized by their universities.
I am not sure what the future holds. I love to watch Cyclone football and MBB. But I am fearful of what the future holds for the other student athletes at ISU. Personally, I have no issue with football & MBB subsidizing the other athletic teams for the other 300 student-athletes. I feel there is a tremendous value of getting a college education and the lifetime value of getting an ISU degree can be worth millions vs just having a HS diploma. So the compensation that football, basketball AND all other sport student-athletes far exceeds what they "earn" as part of their scholarship.
I would agree that most P5 & G5 schools have sold their soul to the TV Networks and almighty dollar to be part of the club. Personally, I would support Cyclone sport programs the same if we participated in a more Ivy League model that put more emphasis on the STUDENT aspect of being a student-athlete.
I mentioned it in another post yesterday. But I feel the NBA & NFL need to share in the blame. You have club owners who have franchises worth Billions, but they have created a development system where colleges subsidize athlete development AND communities pay for building their stadiums.