MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher addresses rule changes, accomplishments at Media Day


CANTON, Ohio — Mid-American Conference Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher opened Wednesday’s portion of MAC Media Day by congratulating conference teams and players for their recent accomplishments, announced some rule changes and outlined the conference's plans for the future.

Steinbrecher also announced a new rule change regarding coaches' ability to argue a call on the field during a game. If a coach crosses over the white sideline boundary to argue a call made by an official, a flag will instantly be thrown for a penalty of 15 yards, according to the NCAA Rule Book.

“A major emphasis from the NCAA rules committee is a new rule to address coaches that enter the field of play to protest an officiating decision,” Steinbrecher said. “Coaches who do enter the field of play to question, protest or otherwise demonstrate a disagreement will be subject to an immediate penalty of 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct.”

Steinbrecher announced another new rule that will be "inserted for players' safety." The rule states a penalty will be enforced for leaping or hurdling over an offensive lineman in an attempt to block a kick.

The commissioner focused congratulated Western Michigan for its trip to the Cotton Bowl Classic and finishing 15th in the AP Top 25 poll. He also congratulated former Bronco wide receiver Corey Davis for being drafted fifth overall in the 2017 NFL Draft.

WMU won the conference title last season under then-Head Coach PJ Fleck, who has since departed for the University of Minnesota. The Broncos' participation in the Cotton Bowl Classic last season gave the MAC two invitations to New Years Six bowls in the last five years, Steinbrecher said.

Steinbrecher added a MAC player has been selected among the top five draft picks in the NFL Draft in three of the last five years.

The commissioner highlighted the successes of NFL players from the MAC, including former CMU wide receiver Antonio Brown. In the NFL Network's most recent list of the Top 100 Current NFL Players, Brown popped in at No. 4.

Steinbrecher also touched on the MAC's stance on diversity and inclusion. He said a diversity mentoring program for coaches will be implemented. The "Diversity Inclusion" plan calls for an internship program to help guide and train coaches and administrators, Steinbrecher said.

“Diversity inclusion improved the learning environment for all student-athletes and enhanced excellence within the conference,” he said.

Steinbrecher also discussed the transfer rules of graduate and undergraduate students and how he feels they can be improved. When school transfers occur the chance of graduating decreases, Steinbrecher said. He added that more than 40 percent of men's basketball players transfer at the end of their sophomore season.

“Transfer regulations should be grounded with the best academic interest of the student," Steinbrecher said. "Data shows that students (not in athletics) transfer more often than students in athletics. However, there are sports where transferring has become almost routine."

Steinbrecher said a school who invites a graduate transfer into its program should be held accountable for the student in some academic metric. An institution should also have to commit to two years of financial aid for the student, whether they chose to stay for both years or not, Steinbrecher said.

The commissioner also announced a scheduling change: the MAC will institute a 14-week season in 2019 rather than the traditional 13-week.

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