Oliver Luck Is Leaving West Virginia For the NCAA, Could Promote Substantial Amateurism Reform

West Virginia AD Oliver Luck is leaving the school to assume the No. 2 role at the NCAA under Mark Emmert. He will endow the NCAA with some much needed credibility and likability. He will oversee the organization’s reform process at a critical juncture.

Sources tell Charleston Daily Mail WVU athletic director Oliver Luck leaving school to take position with NCAA. Announcement expected today.
— Mike Casazza (@mikecasazza) December 17, 2014

Word is this is a created position and Luck will be something of second-in-charge there to oversee NCAA reform.
— Mike Casazza (@mikecasazza) December 17, 2014

This could be hugely significant for the NCAA. One major issue the organization must address is amateurism. Oliver Luck is on record that a college athlete’s control of his/her name and likeness is a “constitutional right.” Another major issue is the autonomy of the major FBS football conferences (to be more flexible about amateurism). Luck, a former Power 5 AD, would undoubtedly provide a sympathetic voice.

Luck’s departure will leave a vacant position on the college football playoff committee. We’re sure administrators are already jockeying for the place. Who doesn’t want to work an extra full-time job for free, entailing two months of pointless travel back and forth from Dallas?

Things could get interesting for Dana Holgorsen, now working for an AD who did not hire him, should things take a turn for the worse next year at West Virginia.

Relocating to Indianapolis also brings Luck closer to his son Andrew, quarterback of the Colts.