Three years ago, the NCAA and sports medicine leaders worked to establish new rules that would limit the influence coaches have on the hiring, firing and supervision of sports medicine personnel -- part of a larger effort to ensure athletes receive sound medical care.
Violate the rules and schools risk being cited for NCAA violations.
But medical independence concerns remain, according to an Outside the Lines investigation. In one case, at Texas A&M, newly hired high-profile football and basketball coaches appear to have directed who will provide medical care to their players, according to documents obtained by Outside the Lines; it is "a direct violation of NCAA policy," said one sports medicine industry leader.