Robert Griffin III calls for equal treatment for coaches amid Nico Iamaleava criticism

The situation that’s arose regarding Nico Iamaleava and Tennessee over the past few days has drawn the opinion of many throughout the football world. Former Heisman winner and NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III had something to say regarding the dissolution of the relationship between the 20-year old and the Vols.

The star quarterback is headed to the into the NCAA Transfer Portal after NIL negotiations turned ugly over the past couple of days. Griffin III believes the situation is a bit more nuanced than Iamaleava being selfish. He thinks it’s exposing a double standard in the world of college football.

“The Nico Iamaleava situation is an interesting one. Player wants more money and the team doesn’t want to pay, so the player enters the transfer portal,” Griffin III posted on X. “If you are screaming that the players should honor their contract and commitment to the school, then you better say the same for Coaches who leave for more money and a better opportunity.”

That’s certainly a unique way to look at it from Griffin III, and it’s tough to argue against his point. Still, the emotions are raw at the moment, especially in Knoxville. It seems like we might be on the precipice of some larger scale changes being made due to Iamaleava’s decision.

Regardless, it’s been a whirlwind. The heat was turned up on the situation when On3 insider Pete Nakos reported Iamaleava and Tennessee were in active negotiations on a new NIL deal ahead of the coming season.

At the time, it was unclear how those negotiations might impact Iamaleava’s decision about the Spring transfer portal, which opens next week. Tennessee ended up making the choice for him, and now the two sides are going their separate ways.

Nakos suggested Iamaleava was seeking to amend the original multi-million dollar NIL deal he received when he signed with Tennessee as a five-star recruit in the Class of 2023, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. At the time, Iamaleava’s deal was consideted one of the first significant NIL contracts issued. But the market has since adjusted significantly — especially at the quarterback position.

As Robert Griffin III pointed out, coaches leave for higher paying opportunities all the time, and use whatever leverage they have to get a raise, as well. Is what Nico Iamaleava did really that different? Time will tell what the rest of the college football world thinks, but the bottom line is a super talented quarterback has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, and one team will be the beneficiary.

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