The Classic Case Of a Dad Trying To Tell a Collegiate Football Coach How To Do His Job

To me, this football mess at Iowa State sounds like the classic case of "A Father Trying to Tell the Coach How To Do His Job."

It was Phillip Bates, sr. -- the father of Phillip Bates, jr., who yesterday informed the Iowa State athletic department that his son was quitting the football team, effective immediately.

Bates also requested a scholarship release from the school -- something he will get.

Frankly, I wouldn't want Bates, jr., [pictured at the right] around if his dad kept getting in the way of the decision-making.

Young Bates didn't play in the Cyclones' 35-33 loss last Saturday to Kansas, so now he has quit the team.

The announcement was made by his dad.

This isn't something new, of course. Fathers of players get involved with football decisions -- basketball decisions and maybe volleyball decisions, too -- often at the college level.

Every dad wants the best for his kid. That goes for me, too.

But, in the end, it's got to be the coach who decides who his quarterback is -- or who any of his other starters are.

It's hard telling how many phone calls have been made in the past by Phillip Bates, sr., to Iowa State's athletic department, wondering when Phillip Bates, jr., was going to get more playing time.

I certainly wouldn't want that headache if I was a coach.

It's best for all concerned that young Bates gets a fresh start somewhere else.

I'm sure the father of Jake Christensen, the quarterback who lost his starting job at Iowa, isn't doing cartwheels over coach Kirk Ferentz's decision to bench his kid.

I'm sure Jake isn't all that thrilled about it, either, that Ricky Stanzi is the No. 1 quarterback and that he [Christensen] didn't play a minute in last week's 16-13 loss at Michigan State.

It's anybody's guess where Christensen will be at this time next season.

I'm just happy he didn't pack his bags and go back home the minute it was evident to him that Stanzi was Ferentz's guy.

Of Bates, jr., Iowa State coach Gene Chizik [picured at the left] said on the school's athletic website, “I am disappointed that Phillip is quitting our team.

"Although I understand his desire to be a starting quarterback, I am extremely disappointed that he is quitting two days prior to a game.

"However, we will give him his release, continue to support him academically and honor his scholarship for the rest of the fall semester.”

Bates, an Omaha native, played in four games this season at quarterback and completed 11 of 24 passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns.

He was the Cyclones’ second-leading rusher with 166 yards. As a true freshman in 2007, Bates caught five passes while playing receiver.

Adios, Phillip, jr., my boy. I mean Phillip, jr., Phillip, sr.'s boy.

I hope you didn't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.

Iowa State's football program will somehow get along without you.