The AFCA on Wednesday unanimously endorsed adding a 10th full-time assistant coach, condemned Friday games and came out in favor of altering redshirting rules in addition to its early signing period endorsement.
Executive director Todd Berry made the announcement at his end-of-convention press conference. The NCAA first made the proposal in October, and the possibility was a hot topic of conversation throughout the AFCA Convention.
The unanimous support was consistent with the NCAA's Football Oversight Committee's feelings at the time of the proposal. Berry is also a member of that committee. “There was unanimity around the table on the addition of a 10th assistant coach being allowed (in FBS),” Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby said in October. “We feel it is appropriate from a student-athlete welfare standpoint. The ratio of coaches to student-athlete is much higher in football than other sports, and this helps address that.” FootballScoop has previously reported on why the proposal should pass through the NCAA's legislative process and how many staffs may use the 10th assistant once approved. Final approval on the 10th assistant will not come until April. Additionally, the NCAA came out against Friday night games and in favor of altering rules regarding redshirts.
Neither of those issues are on the NCAA's legislative docket, but Berry has made turning the AFCA into a more active organization his top order of business since becoming executive director last year.