Ohio High School Athletic Association Executive Director Doug Ute said Thursday morning that he anticipates a June decision regarding whether the number of football playoff qualifiers will be changing in the future.
Ute told the OHSAA Media Advisory Committee Thursday morning in Columbus that there is “serious discussion” about potentially reducing the number of playoff qualifiers from 16 teams to 12 teams in each region.
While the OHSAA seems to think they are the ones making the ‘tough choice‘ to meet the needs of the schools…looking at the process shows a different path to the change of heart.
A Toledo Blade story by Dave Briggs went viral in Ohio –
The process to change from 16 to 12 got a political push from Ohio Senate President Rob McColley (R., Napoleon), after hearing from numerous coaches their displeasure with the present playoff structure. McColley met with OHSAA executive director Doug Ute. That is when the football playoff survey was sent out to member schools.
State associations like to avoid state legislators, the OHSAA making this move indicates they want to avoid a future political conflict. Earlier this year the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) also caved into a political request….transfers.
Recently the IHSAA board approved a first-time transfer with no strings attached for an athlete to move from one school to another.
- First-Time Transfer proposal Approved In Indiana…Girls Flag Football Approved As An EmergingSport, Co-Op Measure Fails
- IHSAA Approves Wide-Open Transfer Rules
- Indiana Statehouse Bill Would Change The IHSAA’s Transfer Rule
Thursday was the first time the OHSAA acknowledged a June decision by the board of directors. History shows that if Ute recommends the change to 12 teams per region…the board will pass it with an unanimous vote.
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