Agents are everywhere; so are hands

Can coaches stop athletes from talking to agents? LSU football coach Les Miles says no.

"We can't prohibit our guys from seeing agents," Miles said Tuesday after one of his assistant strength coaches was arrested for doing the groundwork for an agent by introducing players to him. "They (agents) walk into their dorm room, to social settings. It appeared that this was arranged. That is a concern. After interviewing several players, it doesn't appear to be a serious concern."

NCAA rules prohibit players from accepting gifts or signing with an agent, but players can speak to agents.

"It's always been a difficult position to be in, because agents represent the great unknown," Miles said. "And it's difficult to tell your players that they really don't know what they're talking about. A good agent is a guy that waits, sees the draft position and then tries to assist his client. Guys that think they can do more than that just aren't telling the truth. But there are those guys out there."

Miles said players will have plenty of time to talk to agents when their career is over.

"The agent is something that can always be addressed at the end of the season," he said. "There's no hurry to assign yourself to an agent. Draft position cannot be enhanced or hurt by an agent."

No, but an athlete's wallet can be enhanced while he's thinking about which agent with which to sign. See the Reggie Bush-USC saga.

As long as there are athletes with hands, there will be agents.