Duke Legend Coach K Calls FSU College Football Playoff Committee Decision 'Wrong'
The college athletics world has been reeling at the 2023 College Football Playoff Selection Committee's appalling decision to leave a 13-0 Florida State out of the final four in a move that favored their bottom line in place of the sport's identity.
It isn't just FSU fans feeling the eye-opening reality of what people in charge's opinions can have on the team's future, but it is more felt by the players who worked so diligently to win against every opponent put in front of them — and it hasn't stopped with just them.
Legendary Duke basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski had former FSU quarterback Danny Kannell on his podcast "Basketball and Beyond" to discuss the committee's tarnished reputations left by their "it's just business" mentality and openly said, "they got it wrong."
“The committee got it wrong,” Coach K said. “What they did to Florida State was wrong. I can’t believe the coaches in that room let this happen.”
It is a sentiment felt by most of the country not affiliated with Tuscaloosa, Austin, or ESPN, given they were benefactors of the decision.
"I hear a lot of people who don't coach talk," Krzyzewski said. "The backup was good, and he'll be back in time when they finally play it. The other thing about that, Danny, that I've found is a lot of times teams can get better when they lose (a player). They don't score as much, but people anti up. The resiliancy of a team is shown, and I thought once their quarterback got hurt, Florida State showed even a higher level of toughness. They weren't going to score 36 points or 40 but they weren't going to let anybody score."
FSU finished the regular season with one of the top passing defenses in the country and set an ACC record in the ACC Championship Game for tackles for loss (14). There will likely be first and second-round NFL Draft selections on both sides of the roster heading into next year.
"Whatever they did on defense and special teams, that wasn't recognized, I don't think, and it was a different way of being a champion," Coach K told Kanell. "I think it was a bunch of bull crap to say, 'well, they were a different team' Well, its not bull crap, they were a different team, but that this team was not as good as they were with the quarterback because maybe the defense didn't have to be as good and they've risen to another level."
The situation begs the question of how to look at the NCAA and sports in general. Should the committee's thoughts and opinions align with most athletic directors, coaches, Heisman Trophy winners, Hall of Famers, and people who have played the sport? Or just what will bring the most ratings and viewership to fill pocketbooks?
There was a chance to express your opinion on the matter via their official contact page, but given the outcome of recent events, it seems their next play is a "head in the sand approach," given they've shut that avenue down.
Stick with NoleGameday for more coverage of Florida State football throughout the 2023 season.
