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SALT LAKE CITY — Here we go again, another college athlete gets in trouble with the law and jeopardizes his education and playing status.
This time it is Dominique Hatfield, a cornerback for the University of Utah who is accused of aggravated robbery, which is a first-degree felony subject to a possible five years to life in prison. A few months ago it was Charles West, a running back after signing with BYU was arrested on charges of aggravated assault in which he allegedly raped a woman at knife point.
In terms of trouble and not specifics, these situations are not unique to any university, even if they tend to occur with more frequency at some places than others. Sooner or later, it will involve a player at your favorite school.
The problems don’t necessarily involve the law, or at least don’t become public. Last month, Utah State coach Matt Wells dismissed star receiver JoJo Natson, who also was a dynamic playmaker on special teams. Natson had legal troubles last summer and played through the 2014 season before Wells had had enough.
In many cases, the head coach of the particular sport is forced to wear many hats in meting out the appropriate punishment. In Hatfield’s case, coach Kyle Whittingham will let the legal system play out.
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Hatfield charged with felony in aggravated robbery
Utah football player Dominique HAtfield was charged Thursday after being arrested on suspicion of aggravated robbery.“Given the serious nature of the charges against Dominique Hatfield, he has been suspended indefinitely from our program while we await further clarity from the legal system,” Whittingham said.
BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall seems to be taking a similar tact with West, who also was shot in the arm recently in an apparently dispute over money. Mendenhall had no update on West’s status during the BYU football media day June 24.
Whittingham faces an easy decision if his player is convicted on the charges. But it becomes tricky if there is some kind of lesser charge, which could be the case.
Police documents state Hatfield has admitted to finding cellphones at parties and trying to sell them online. But, according to a Hatfield lawyer, his connection to the armed robbery portion is in doubt.
In the case of the lesser charge, Whittingham will become judge and jury, making a decision that will be subject to intense scrutiny. Fairness to him won’t be the same to detractors who believe athletes — particularly football players — don’t face the same level of accountability as the average person.
The critics often want blood, thinking coaches should not ease up on discipline for the sake of winning games. In Hatfield’s case, he is the most experienced cornerback on Utah’s defense, which often faces pressure in the pass-happy Pac 12.
Whittingham could face a dilemma in suspending Hatfield from any games, a decision that probably would negatively affect the team’s performance. But the integrity of the program is at stake if he lets the player off easy.
In these cases, Whittingham would be wise to ignore the detractors and do as he sees fit. If possible, extend mercy.
Young people, whether they be star athletes or not, often make stupid mistakes. Nobody wants to be defined as a 20-year-old.
The same line of extending mercy whenever possible applies for Mendenhall, who faces the difficult challenge of balancing discipline with the school’s overly rigid Honor Code. Infractions aren’t always best handled by forcing players to miss games.
Through more than a decade as the head coach at their respective institutions, Whittingham and Mendenhall have earned the right to handle each problem individually. In these cases, one size doesn’t fit all, even if the public and media and whomever else doesn’t agree.
