College Coaches Exert Tight Control Over Players' Lives, Testimony Reveals

Former Giants coach Joe Judge's comments about player sleep and family responsibilities spark controversy.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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During a hearing in the Trinidad Chambliss eligibility case, former New York Giants head coach and current Ole Miss assistant Joe Judge testified about the level of control college football coaches have over their players' lives, including expectations around sleep and family responsibilities. Judge's comments, which were criticized by his former boss Lane Kiffin, highlight the power imbalance between coaches and players and the challenges facing efforts to unionize college athletes.

Why it matters

Judge's testimony provides a rare glimpse into the strict rules and expectations college coaches impose on their players, which critics say amounts to excessive control over the personal lives of young adults. This raises questions about the exploitation of college athletes and the need for greater player protections, as efforts to unionize continue to face resistance from the NCAA and universities.

The details

During the hearing, Judge was asked about the importance of sleep for college football players. He responded by saying coaches have to "educate" players' significant others, including new mothers, that the player "has to be ready to perform" and cannot be involved in overnight care of a newborn during the season. Judge's comments reflect an old-school mentality that prioritizes athletic performance over players' personal lives and family responsibilities.

  • The hearing took place on Thursday, February 13, 2026.

The players

Joe Judge

A former head coach of the New York Giants who is currently an assistant coach at Ole Miss.

Trinidad Chambliss

A college football player who is seeking a medical redshirt for the 2022 season due to respiratory issues.

Lane Kiffin

The current head coach of the LSU football team, who was previously Judge's boss.

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What they’re saying

“We would have to educate significant others who may have been pregnant during the season, or were going to have a baby during the season. And you would have to educate them on, you have this baby in the middle of the season, that father has to play good football. And it's a day-by-day production business. He has to be ready to perform and go out there and play. And when I say that is, you need to let him sleep. He needs to be in the other room, detached. You have to explain to the mother, 'Hey listen, he ain't waking up for midnight feedings.' After the season, he's full metal jacket. He can change every diaper, but in season, he's got to have a different priority.”

— Joe Judge, Ole Miss Assistant Coach (nbcsports.com)

What’s next

The hearing is ongoing, and the judge will likely make a decision on Chambliss's eligibility in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Judge's testimony highlights the excessive control college football coaches exert over their players' lives, prioritizing athletic performance over personal responsibilities. This raises concerns about the exploitation of college athletes and the need for greater player protections, as efforts to unionize continue to face resistance from the NCAA and universities.