Pat Fitzgerald wants players to be able to work with coaches more, if they want

Pat Fitzgerald, who has long been an advocate for overhauling many of the NCAA's rules regarding college football, said on SiriusXM College Sports Nation that there's a "silent majority" of players who would like to work with their coaches more than what is currently allowed.

Chris Vannini of CoachingSearch.com transcribed the full quotes from the radio appearance:

"I would find a way to, from a philosophical standpoint, if guys want to be coached, then you're allowed to coach them," he said. "That's watching film and going over things with them. You've got X amount of hours with them, and that's it. If you go over, even if they want you to work with them, you can't.

"There are so many guys out there that want that. It's kind of a silent majority. You'd like to have a website they can go to and say, ‘I voluntarily want to get better. I want my coach to work with me.'"

On the other hand, though, Fitzgerald also mentioned how he'd like to see college athletes get more time off, especially in the summer. When he was playing, he said, many of teammates did not stay for summer workouts. Today, while summer workouts are still "voluntary," players are widely expected to stay on campus.

"I'd like the guys to get some time. I don't know what that is," Fitzgerald said. "I don't want to sound like I'm talking out of both sides of my mouth, but almost mandate that they get some rest and recharge."

The coach also mentioned his disdain for the current recruiting system, saying "it needs to be totally overhauled."