Parents REALLY just don't understand

Okay, imagine you're an All American quarterback in high school. As a matter of fact, you are the player of the year according to Parade magazine. You go on to college, go 8-0 as a starter in your freshman year in the always tough SEC, but still decide after your freshman season transferring is the best option for you. So you have all kinds of suitors lined up for your services, right? Maybe USC will come calling, or Florida State. Troy Smith just left Ohio State, they need a QB right? Chad Henne only has one year left at Michigan, and you have to sit out a year anyway, so that seems perfect. And what about Oklahoma? A year removed from Bomar-gate, the Sooners are still searching to fill a QB void. So were do you end up? Back at the school you chose to transfer from, as a regular student. Wait, that can't be right?!?!

This my friends is the saga of Mitch Mustain. Mustain accomplished all of the aforementioned things, and oddly enough can't seem to find a school now that he has been released from his commitment to Arkansas. Today, after a search for a new home that only found one serious taker, Mustain re-enrolled at Arkansas. He still intends to transfer at the end of the semester.

Who wouldn't want an all American quarterback to groom for a year? Well apparently nobody, but Tulsa. Louisville told Mustain they weren't interested, and rumors Mustain met with Bob Stoops were found to be unsubstantiated. Only Tulsa (where his former high school coach is now the offensive coordinator) welcomed Mitch with open arms, but apparently he has his eyes on playing for a BCS school. Rumor has it Mustain tried to get back on the Razorback squad, but the team voted against having him back. So now Mitch gets to walk around Fayetteville for a semester, and will have to deal with Lord knows what kinds of verbal abuse and whispers for the next 4 or so months.

How does one get into such a messed up situation? Well, this is where the story gets tricky. Mitch didn't do much of anything, really. His parents put him in this position. Mustain's parents, apparently not happy with the run oriented Razorback offense, went to Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles and in a nutshell asked he fire head coach Houston Nutt (yes you read that right. I'm still in shock I typed it). Mustain played in a spread offense in high school, and the parents were under the impression that is how things would be at Arkansas. Great parents, huh? Things aren't going their way, so they let it be known. Their failure to let Mustain handle his own problems have left him untouchable to most schools. No head coach wants to touch this package deal, and I don't blame them. Mustain will be fortunate to play D-1 football again, much less at another BCS school. The foolish actions of Mustain's parents have potentially ruined his college prospects, which in turn could potentially damage his chances at the NFL.

Let this be a lesson, parents. Allow your kids to grow up and learn on their own. Especially at Mustain's age. It usually does more damage than good when parents are over-protective of their children. Mustain defenders will argue Nutt did not keep promises to Mustain and other recruits, in regards to how the offense will be run. Still, that is no excuse. They add new wrinkles to my job everyday. I wonder if my mom can make the bad man stop? If Mustain was unhappy, fine. Move on, and move on quietly. Don't burn any bridges or make a nasty scene upon your exit. Unfortunately this is exactly what has happened, and now his reputation is damaged. And as I watch all this unfold, I can't help but wonder.....How would Mitch have handled all of this? I bet he wonders, too. And better yet, I bet he wishes he would have had the chance to find out.