Pitt's Pat Narduzzi excoriates NCAA for allowing athletes to bet on pro sports

Narduzzi went on to compare sports betting to smoking and drinking, calling it a "disease" and an "addiction."

"What are we doing?" he added. "It's a bad deal."

The decision, which allows college athletes to wager on pro sports, has also been criticized by Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, who called it "disappointing." At the end of his answer, Narduzzi said he would address his team this week and warn them not to bet on sports at all. 

"Save your money. Put it in the bank," Narduzzi said.

Controversial timing for new NCAA rule allowing student-athletes to bet on pro sports

The NCAA approved the rule change despite gambling scandals involving former athletes. An NCAA investigation released in September showed that Fresno State and San Jose State basketball players manipulated their performances for gambling purposes, while a separate investigation found Eastern Michigan basketball players refused to participate in an investigation accusing them of potential sports betting infractions.

There's also a betting-related controversy within the NBA, as Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier were recently arrested by the FBI amid a federal investigation into gambling.