As the NCAA struggles to defend college sports as “amateur” in the wake of legal defeats, legislative dead ends, NIL becoming pay-for-play, athletes advancing towards employee recognition and conferences realigning like pro leagues, the national governing body now stands accused of fumbling the transfer of a prominent football player with mental health challenges.

On Thursday, North Carolina head football coach Mack Brown and athletic director Bubba Cunningham publicly lambasted the NCAA for deeming wide receiver Devontez “Tez” Walker ineligible for the 2023 season.

Walker previously attended North Carolina Central and Kent State—having transferred to Kent State because COVID canceled his season at North Carolina Central. He began his coursework at UNC nine months ago and sought to play in 2023 as a two-time transfer.