Not so fast, my friend...
No doubt about it. NLI’s are water tight. The NCAA uses this language in the NLI document to assure the binding agreement is to the college.
“I understand I have signed this NLI with the institution and not for a particular sport or coach. If a coach leaves the institution or the sports program (e.g., not retained, resigns), I remain bound by the provisions of this NLI. I understand it is not uncommon for a coach to leave his or her coaching position.” (
http://www.nationalletter.org/nliProvisions/coachingChange.html)
It will be an arduous process to get out of a binding NLI for those who sign but then has a coach leave the program. However, in some cases the NCAA does allow students to be let out of their NLI. It’s a long process that first is reviewed by the NLI Appeals Committee a on a case by case basis (
http://www.nationalletter.org/nliProvisions/releaseRequest.html).