The drawback of this is that there's this idea that he is the standard. But he's actually very opinionated, has some outdated info, and is very focused on powerlifting.
That's not to take away from his utility for beginners, but once you are out of the beginner stage his programming recommendations are not as effective or sport specific enough for a lot of people.
If someone is going to the gym to improve at a sport, which is recommended for practically all sports, then something like Dan John's "Easy Strength" where lifting is the means to improving at the sport and not simply the end goal is probably a better direction.
Came here to say the same thing. And afaict even his powerlifting advice is bizarre and dated.
After helping out some beginners get into lifting I'd say his program is at best a poor use of time and at worst, dangerous and encourages injury.
But as a novice, you can progress linearly for some time and it's viable, as long as you know when to tap out. And then you might as well start with something more long term altogether.
I was at a Starting Strength seminar recently and the coach explicitly said that the beginner's program is not the end-all, so I'm not sure where that criticism is coming from?