Waylee entering the portal

[LawPoke]

Man... This is just not the way anybody thinks anymore, and every year that goes by less and less people have this thought.

Having visited with D1 athletes - they have said these exact words to me about those that leave and want to come back. But maybe you are right.

 

[OrediggerPoke]

Man... This is just not the way anybody thinks anymore, and every year that goes by less and less people have this thought.

Agreed. It’s hypocritical to express this notion while at the same time half of your roster is composed of transfers (most from smaller schools).

 

[LawPoke]

Agreed. It’s hypocritical to express this notion while at the same time half of your roster is composed of transfers (most from smaller schools).

I'm talking solely about players that leave UW and then ask to come back after they have left. Not about transfers generally. Transfers are essential components to building a roster. I'm just saying that for Neyor or Waylee to come back - it could/would create acrimony and hurt team chemistry.

 

[Midwest Cowboy]

Definitely 2 schools of thought.
(a) they left and came back. a message to others that the grass isn't greener; and
(b) they left and we cannot show weakness to our current group. There is no safety net if you leave.

Thinking back over my career, I was someone who thought/practiced bringing people back made a powerful statement about "grass isn't greener" to current employees. In truth, it never worked out long term. Way too many malcontents in this world.

Bottom-line, always do what is best for the organization. No hard rule. Assess on a case by case basis. Poach clients, talk smack, show disrespect...bridge burned. Make a personal decision but act professionally...no bridge burned.

I will say, it also takes a little self-reflection. As the "organization", maybe part of the transfer is your fault. Own it when necessary.

 

[OrediggerPoke]

I'm talking solely about players that leave UW and then ask to come back after they have left. Not about transfers generally. Transfers are essential components to building a roster. I'm just saying that for Neyor or Waylee to come back - it could/would create acrimony and hurt team chemistry.

Waylee can’t come back as he has exhausted his eligibility and shouldn’t be welcomed back given the way he convinced Sawvel to sit him while he was otherwise cleared to play (stating he was returning) so he could go sign elsewhere.

Neyor should have been welcomed back. He was given a massive NIL sum to transfer and would have been dumb not to take it. Unfortunately for him, his career at Texas was derailed by the ACL tear. He still would have been our best receiver on the roster. If he really wanted to come back and we said no, that’s a really bad decision of this coaching staff (but not surprising given the myriad of bad decisions we’ve seen since Sawvel took over).

 

[OrediggerPoke]

Definitely 2 schools of thought.
(a) they left and came back. a message to others that the grass isn't greener; and
(b) they left and we cannot show weakness to our current group. There is no safety net if you leave.

Thinking back over my career, I was someone who thought/practiced bringing people back made a powerful statement about "grass isn't greener" to current employees. In truth, it never worked out long term. Way too many malcontents in this world.

Bottom-line, always do what is best for the organization. No hard rule. Assess on a case by case basis. Poach clients, talk smack, show disrespect...bridge burned. Make a personal decision but act professionally...no bridge burned.

I will say, it also takes a little self-reflection. As the "organization", maybe part of the transfer is your fault. Own it when necessary.

Well stated. Every player should be evaluated based on their individual circumstances.

 

[307bball]

I'm talking solely about players that leave UW and then ask to come back after they have left. Not about transfers generally. Transfers are essential components to building a roster. I'm just saying that for Neyor or Waylee to come back - it could/would create acrimony and hurt team chemistry.

I get what you are saying here, but the vibe of these teams is pretty much re-made every year...precisely because of all the transfers. No one-size-fits rule here IMO.....It's got to be on a dude by dude basis and position needs.