Thrilled to hear that you teach at Stanford as well, CardCoug. My question for you changes Lex's scenario: What if said player can actually become a co-term masters student? Many students that I know are or have been taking full advantage of a Stanford co-term degree. Yes, some programs are more difficult to qualify for, but I think this is a path that the new coach/AD team need to try to figure out.
If you can keep these student athletes doing well on the field and in the classroom, then the co-term door should be easier to take advantage of and getting a Masters at Stanford vs in Bloomington or most other places would be the optimal choice. The Co-term should be another useful tool to keep student athletes here in the program and engaged in both athletic and academic pursuits that most other schools can not match.
If you can keep these student athletes doing well on the field and in the classroom, then the co-term door should be easier to take advantage of and getting a Masters at Stanford vs in Bloomington or most other places would be the optimal choice. The Co-term should be another useful tool to keep student athletes here in the program and engaged in both athletic and academic pursuits that most other schools can not match.