Narduzzi accuses Urban Meyer of Poaching

**FastFreddie** · 02-01-2012, 10:33 AM

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/...ecruiting-rule

Something sounds familiar about this....

The trend prompted some fans to ask whether Meyer was violating an unwritten rule among Big Ten coaches not to poach another team's recruits. The fact is Big Ten coaches at multiple schools have flipped recruits for years. The quantity and quality might not match what has happened with Meyer at Ohio State, but the tactic is hardly new to the league.

The "rule" doesn't exist ... or does it?

Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi made some interesting remarks Monday at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Luncheon Club in Canton, Ohio. Narduzzi, never one to pull punches, addressed recruit flipping within the league and how things might be changing.
"[The agreement] has been between the coaches," Narduzzi said. "Jim Tressel and Mark Dantonio would never call or talk to each other’s commitments. People Coach Dantonio knows well don't come in and take players away. When you do, you lose friendships over that."
Narduzzi said he would not speak for Dantonio and declined to say if there were a friendly relationship between Meyer and Dantonio. However, he indicated, Michigan State’s coaching staff learned a lesson.
"It sets a tone and starts a recruiting rivalry," Narduzzi said. "I guess it's fair game. You don't want it to be that way, but that's how it is."

**knuckles311** · 02-01-2012, 10:37 AM

Just win IMO. Making friends isn't in their job description. If they plan on staying sucessfull, they better get used to fighting these battles.

**LionSB06** · 02-01-2012, 10:41 AM

I have to imagine thats a battle MSU will lose most of the time anyways...

**FastFreddie** · 02-01-2012, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by LionSB06

I have to imagine thats a battle MSU will lose most of the time anyways...

Defeatist. This was the year to beat Ohio for recruit(s). MSU coming of a two year span with a share of the B1G title and playing in the first conf. champ. game, and OSU getting hit with scholarship reductions and a post season ban.

It won't be any easier next year.