It surprises me that the signing of a head coach’s son to a football scholarship was not questioned by the local newspaper, Athletic Director Rick Hart, the university’s administration, or anyone else.

I’m sure Sloan Allison is a good kid, but where are the red flags? Did anyone thoroughly think through the consequences of this decision and how it might look to the community as well as alumni? This decision only provides additional ammunition to those within the community and the university system who would like to see the end of UTC’s football program.

Coach Allison would have served the university and the football program better by inviting his son to walk on, and if he proved to be a worthy player, then award him a scholarship.

While Sloan Allison might have been a decent high school football player, in my opinion, he is not worthy of a Division I scholarship. There are a number of other players in the region, state – and even in Chattanooga - who could have brought a great deal of talent to the UTC football team for the next several years. And it has become apparent over the past couple of years that the UTC football program needs to build a foundation of solid talent with solid characters.

While I have remained quiet during some disgraceful incidents within this program over the last couple of years, I think it’s important to speak out now. I will continue to support this fine institution, the football program, and all other athletic programs; but at the same time, Coach Allison’s actions appear to be nothing less than nepotism.

...Sloan Allison probably won't make a living playing football and he might not even be a great college player. But this is about something much larger than football and UTC. It's about a father's love of his son and the opportunity to spend as much time with each other as possible.