Lot of anger over NCAA's suspension of Florida DT

Sharrif Floyd

((ht: orlandosentinel.com))

The reaction to the NCAA suspending Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd for two games has been interesting to say the least.

Floyd has been ruled ineligible for the two games and ordered to pay $2700 to a charity of his choosing after disclosing to his coaches that he accepted $2500 from a board member of the Student Athlete Mentoring Foundation in Delaware.

The NCAA, in a press release said Floyd admitted using the money for living expenses, transportation and other life expenses. At no time did they say Florida gave him any impermissible benefits.

Read the initial story from the Orlando Sentinel RIGHT HERE

For those unfamiliar with Floyd's story (including us), he was raised in Philadelphia without his parents. He spent most of his life living with his grandmother, high school coach, guidance counselor or whomever could help him.

Heck, his high school coaches and guidance counselor held a bake sale to raise money for Floyd to travel to San Antonio for a High School all-star game.

The Sentinel also talked to people in Floyd's life about his character, read it RIGHT HERE

The whole situation royally pissed of Florida coach Will Muschamp, and we have to say, even without knowing Sharrif Floyd, we agree.

Said Muschamp: "The NCAA stated that he (Floyd) received preferential treatment; there is nothing preferential about his life."


"He grew up with only his great grandmother and still sends her Pell Grant money so she can pay her bills. How many kids do you know that would do that? I know one--Sharrif Floyd."


"I want to make it clear that this issue is not about sports agents, Florida boosters or his recruitment to Florida or anywhere else. The issue is about his survival and the only reason the NCAA, the SEC and the University of Florida were aware of these issues is because he brought them to our attention last February. He came forward because he is honest and because of his integrity."


"The toughest day that I have had as a head football coach at Florida was the day I had to tell Sharrif that he could not play in our game against FAU. I took away part of his family."


The NCAA's response was that some of the benefits he did receive were improper, that the penalty could have been four games, but due to mitigating circumstances, they reduced it to two.

More detail on this debate from gatorsports.com RIGHT HERE

Ok. We get why the NCAA felt the need to step in but by their own definition, they said there were "Mitigating Circumstances". And arguably, to be consistent in what they do, you could make a case for the game suspension.

But.

We have two big problems, much like everyone else, with all this. One, do they really think the kid is going to be able to manufacture $2700 in the next few days? He by all accounts barely has enough money to stay in school. It's not like he has any expense money, athletes aren't allowed to.

Two, everyone involved, including the NCAA don't debate that the benefits caused him to choose or go to Florida. What should it matter? Yeah, we get that every case is different and again we go back to the NCAA verbiage stating they knew that. How exactly do they think Floyd could've been able to get to the schools interested in him? How could he possibly afford to pay his own way to anything?

We think this is an over-enforcement of a rule that isn't totally wrong. But really, can't we all read the case and determine whether or not a penalty is needed. Come on, do they really think Sharrif Floyd is going to find $2700 when he doesn't have the money to buy sheets to put on his bed?

Mom of Miami basketball player denies payment request

Nevin Shapiro

((ht: miamiherald.com))

Several of the people named in the Yahoo story about rogue University of Miami booster Nevin Shapiro are vehemently denying the allegations.

Among them, the mother and two coaches of UM basketball player DeQuan Jones.

The Miami Herald reached out to Jones's mother Irene Bell who tells them "The whole thing is such a lie".
 Bell says she did her homework and worked hard to provide for Jones and the thought of exploiting or taking money for her sons services would have made her walk away.

Jones's AAU coach and former high school coach added the timeline didn't add up either. They say the Yahoo story alleges the $10,000 payment request for him to come play there came after he was already committed and enrolled at the Coral Gables school.

Read more from the Miami Herald RIGHT HERE

We aren't sure who to believe here. Shapiro claims there is a witness, though Shaprio himself never met the kid and that then Miami assistant Jake Morton took care of the transaction.

The story also goes on to mention Irene Bell didn't need the money mentioned.

The quandry this poses is how do you prove all these allegations and who's story do you believe. And while the NCAA has been proactive thus far and obviously has something to work with as evidenced by the quick suspension of 8 current UM football players earlier this week, the older charges are going to be much harder to prove.

And as much as most Hurricane supporters and almost all journalists want this to be finished already, it's going to take a long time. We don't believe that every allegation made by Shapiro will be proven, quite honestly, we'll guess that maybe 50-percent get proven. But it will be enough to get the school in serious trouble or shut down as many writers have suggested? Well, that remains to be seen...

Three more Ohio State players to sit

Terrelle Pryor

((ht: dispatch.com))

Ooopsie! More problems for those Buckeyes up there in Columbus, Ohio.

Three players, two of them starters will not play in the season opener/practice game this Saturday against Akron.

The reason...the apparently got some "Impermissible benefits" at a charity event earlier this year. And they had not been cleared to attend the event from the schools compliance department.

Running back Jordan Hall, cornerback Travis Howard and backup safety Corey Brown will sit at least one game and possibly more.

The incident popped up this spring when the NCAA was in the midst of investigating Terrelle Pryor. Which begs the question...why wait until now to mention it?

Read the entire story from the Columbus Dispatch RIGHT HERE

By now, most are already familiar with the issues facing the Buckeyes in the eyes of the NCAA, so we will spare you the details. Suffice to say, there is some work ahead. And while this latest problem is not an indication of further serious issues, it just really doesn't look to good.

Thankfully for Ohio State they play, for the most part, schools such as Akron for the first 4 or 5 games, so losing starters for a short period of time won't kill them.

8 Hurricanes face various suspensions in 2011

Nevin Shapiro in the jersey

Well, the 1st ripple of the Nevin Shapiro/University of Miami saga has already played itself out.

8 Current Miami players are facing various forms of suspension and repayment penalties per a release issued by the NCAA their ownselves.

Olivier Vernon will get the stiffest penaly, 6 games and repayment of the $1200 worth of benefits the NCAA determined he received.

Aravious Armstrong and Dyron Dye: 4 games and over $730 in repayments each. Vernon, Dye and Armstrong allegedly got their benefits while being recruited.

5 players got benefits while already there according to the NCAA: Marcus Fortson, Sean Ryan Spence, Adwale Ojomo, Travis Benjamin and Jacory Harris. All 5 of these guys will miss a game and repay anywhere from $140 to $400.

Read the entire NCAA release RIGHT HERE

It's pretty obvious the NCAA has a detailed account of many of things alleged by former Miami booster Nevin Shapiro. And they seem to have a lot of it already documented.

Quite honestly, the current 'Canes are getting off fairly easy, though Mr. Vernon may have a challenge paying off the $1200.

The question is where do they go next. These infractions unto themselves, while serious, aren't nearly as deadly as many of the older allegations. And those allegations will be the hardest to prove.

This isn't the end of this story...and it probably isn't even the mid-point. So stay tuned, hold on, because there is much, much more to come.

University of Miami parents getting pissed

Alonzo Highsmith

((ht: miamiherald))

They are pissed and they aren't going to take it anymore. Well, they really are pissed, but I don't know about the taking it part.

Anyway, the father of former Miami cornerback Sam Shields is not happy. And he doesn't believe his son did anything wrong.

The father of current Hurricanes safety A.J Highsmith, who wasn't implicated in any of this mess, has some issues with all the implications too. Former Hurricane Alonzo Highsmith says he's contemplating a lawsuit against the NCAA on behalf of parents with kids playing football.

Alonzo Highsmith told the Miami Herald that the kids are the ones suffering for the indiscretions of the adults. Or of a select few players. And he's not wrong.

Read the entire story from the Miami Herald RIGHT HERE

We kind of agree with Highsmith about this, but it won't change. We've, in the past, advocated punishing the adults in all of this and questioned why the current players have to suffer from the indiscretions of past players. And it is a legitimate question.

We know full well that Highsmith's lawsuit won't get anywhere, but we hope it at least will initiate some discussion. It goes back to the NCAA's desperate need to reevaluate the way they dole out punishment to rule breaking schools.

We spoke yesterday about the talk of a "Death Penalty" for the "U" because of all of this and NCAA president Mark Emmert didn't do anything to dissuade that talk by saying he is "Not against using it". But he won't here. It again would be a blatant case of the NCAA punishing the innocent people who didn't do anything.

If someone should be punished, it should be the compliance officials. It should be the coaches and boosters. It should be the guys like Nevin Shapiro. It's somewhat cliche', but really it is all about "Don't hate the player, hate the game"

Opinion: Will Miami survive the hoopla?

The "U"

Yes. By now, most of you are familiar with the current craziness going on at the University of Miami. You know about Nevin Shapiro. You know about the allegations he has made. And you also know about the lengthy report on the whole thing delivered by Yahoo sports.

But the questions are beginning to surface. If this is all true, what does the NCAA do? The list of high profile schools in trouble seems to grow every couple of months. Yes, the NCAA threw a pretty big penalty on USC, and they should have. They are still contemplating what to do with Ohio State and depending on who you listen to, it may or may not be serious.

This case....could be different. Miami is not without a past. They've skirted and in some cases crossed the line in the past. But it has never been this serious.

In that vein, many columnists and so-called-"In the know" sportswriters are saying they should get "The Death Penalty". You know, shutting down the program.

That ain't gonna happen.

Yes, they will be penalized. And a lot of people have already convicted the school. And convicted them on the word of a guy about to spend a long time in prison after stealing hundreds of millions from people. There is no guarantee everything he said was true.

There's talk that if Miami gets a version of the "Death Penalty", they'll be shunned by everybody. Really. Would the ACC say bye-bye to a football program that couldn't compete? Could they? Where would they go? And actually, a weakened Miami, wouldn't be much worse than any other of the mediocre teams in that conference.

No, we don't think that will happen. Why? Because the program isn't going to say "bye-bye". And the ACC would be crazy to get rid of them. The conference is already a prime candidate to be raided, they are in danger of not surviving the "Mega-Conference" scenario even if they do nothing.

Yes, this story deserves to be played out and we really think this may be the case that forces the NCAA to change the way things are done. It should.

In the meantime, though it is early, here is what we think will happen. Miami will be put on "Double Secret Probation for a long time--say 10 years. There will be a bowl ban. They won't be on TV for a long, long time. There will be scholarship reductions. There will be a revamped compliance department. Some people, administrators will lose their jobs. And the once vaunted program will not be what it was for at least a generation.

This is only fitting:

Fun in Florida: UCF gets notice of inquiry

University of Central Florida

((ht: orlandosentinel))

It looks like the NCAA will be spending some time in the state of Florida over the upcoming months. Not only is the University of Miami facing a firestorm, but their neighbors to the north, the University of Central Florida is now facing an NCAA investigation over recruiting violations in football and basketball.

We, along with many other outlets, reported on a strange and not-so-clean sounding relationship between the school and a Ken Caldwell from Chicago. Caldwell, who calls himself a "Youth-Mentor" is believed by many, to have steered athletes to UCF.

For what it is worth, Caldwell told the Orlando Sentinel he won't help the NCAA. Not because he can't, but according to the paper "because they didn't come to me first". Right.

You can read the Sentinel's story by clicking RIGHT HERE

The school, of course, said they'll cooperate fully with the investigation and then proceeded to lawyer up.

There are tons of questions here and really, the basis of it goes to several blue-chip athletes who in previous years wouldn't have ever considered the Orlando school, all of a sudden were flocking there. It is very possible that it is just a coincidence and there is nothing to see here. But on the fringes, it has the makings of a problem. Caldwell swears he isn't a runner for any agents, that he's just a "Fan" of the school because his kid goes there.

We say, investigate. There may be something here, there may not. Either way, the kids will get punished somehow, they always do. The grown-ups, they'll get a slap on the wrist, be told to do something else and the school will continue to make millions. Life in the NCAA Grindhouse, will continue as it always does.

Your TV story from MyFoxOrlando.com:

NCAA investigating UCF: MyFoxORLANDO.com

tOSU Says Their Peace In Indy, Forfeits Their Piece From New Orleans

(HT: WBNS-TV Columbus))

Ohio State University officials and former coach Jim Tressel appeared before an NCAA infractions committee for about four hours in Indianapolis, getting the third degree from the Committee on Infractions and defending their life in and around the Tattoo Six...

It'll take about another 8 to 12 weeks for any word to trickle out one way or the other on any kind of punishment. If more charges come to the surface, another meeting could be called by the CoI, but for every subsequent meeting it'll take another 8 to 12 weeks for another judgment to come down from the mountain...

Oh, and Terrelle Pryor testifying...???
tOSU doesn't want that...

Here's AD Gene Smith talking about the day and giving up the one piece of news on the day- the fact that the Buckeyes gave up their Sugar Bowl share...


Why he and Gordon Gee are still employed are anyone's guess...

Hey, did you know we wrote a book...???

Ohio St. to ESPN: You are lying

The real target of the investigation

((ht: dispatch.com))
((ht: espn.com))

This is an interesting little battle here. ESPN.com's Pat Forde posted a story on the 4-letter website Wednesday stating that Ohio State was notified via letter last week that the NCAA is still investigating them and they could be facing more allegations or more problems.

However, Ohio State spokesman Jim Lynch told the Columbus Dispatch that no such thing has happened.

Lynch does say they received a letter from investigators, but only pertaining to procedural matters leading into their appearance Friday in front of the Committee on Infractions.

You can read that part of the story from Dispatch.com RIGHT HERE

Interestingly, the Pat Forde story quotes Lynch telling him essentially the same thing. But yet the headline and first paragraph seem to state otherwise. What it does say is stuff that we already knew, that they could still investigate the variety of investigative stories by the Dispatch, ESPN and other media outlets about problems that they brought to light.

It also quotes Lynch telling another ESPN reporter "We will not be able to discuss details of our active investigation with the NCAA until the matter has been resolved." Duh....It's not resolved Pat. It may be resolved on Friday, but it isn't today.

You can read Forde's story RIGHT HERE

We don't know the genesis of Forde's story, and quite honestly, after reading it, we still don't know why that is a headline. Of course they (Ohio State) are still under investigation, and they should be. You are under investigation until the Committee has handed down a decision. That's how such things work. There are no new allegations here. No revelations.

The BIGGER question is, after getting heat for being slow on the Ohio State story, why the "Worldwide Leader" hasn't devoted any time or resources to the "Alabama/T-Town Menswear" story? They did do a brief mention when it 1st came up, but haven't followed it up. They haven't done an "Outside the Lines" it hasn't been mentioned at all.

That story is remarkably similar to this one, yet its been left to bloggers such as Clay Travis at OutKicktheCoverage and Brooks at SportsbyBrooks to do the heavy lifting on it.

Just our two cents.

Alabama and T-Town Menswear: Still an issue but why?

Tom Al-betar enjoying his sideline pass

((ht: SportsbyBrooks))

The discussion by a couple of Sports Blogs (ours included) about the relationship between the University of Alabama and local menswear store "T-Town Menswear" just keeps getting stranger.

We've talked about the photos and documents exchanged after the school mysteriously found out after several years that players had been going to the store on a regular basis and signing memorabilia. That memorabilia was...and apparently still is prominently displayed at the store. It also was, though no longer, sold via the internet.

Alabama says they investigated the relationship, found nothing wrong, though the sent the owner of the store a "Cease and Desist" letter and told him to no longer hang around the program.

However, it left a TON of questions.

Among those: Did the owner, Tom Al-Betar, who had a slew of photos of himself on the sidelines at games, swap out autographs for suits? Did he use the athletes to sell and market within his store?

On the surface, it appears that way. And it is an NCAA violation to do so. It's not a "Major" violation, but it is one. Particularly if he paid the players in new suits.

For his part, Al-betar says he doesn't sell the memorabilia. And Alabama says "He's done nothing wrong". Yet questions still exist. And the NCAA doesn't seem to care.

Investigative reporting by our pal SportsByBrooks.com and Clay Travis at OutKickTheCoverage.com uncovered quite a bit of circumstantial evidence here that says there is wrongdoing. But the NCAA doesn't seem to care.

It has drawn the ire of the lunatic fringe of Alabama and Auburn fans and reporters. A pair of reporters for the Birmingham News have poked around on the story but haven't done much. It's been poo-poo'd by our favorite Alabama radio host, one Paul Finebaum, mostly because a newspaper reporter didn't break it.

But the question is: Why doesn't the NCAA seem to care?

The cared when Ohio State football players sold memorabilia to a tattoo artists for tattoo's. And again. Though not a huge violation, the players involved were suspended.

When you have a chance, go to Brooks's website: CLICK HERE 

And more importantly, go to Clay's website, because he broke this: CLICK HERE

Follow the trail. Read the evidence and judge for yourself.

We aren't saying that players shouldn't be able to profit from the usage of their image, they should. But right now, it is an NCAA violation to do so. And that is exactly what they've done here.

Also, check out this video from Brooks of a "T-Town" commercial from last year. Once you get past the premise of a "Louie Linguini" in the spot, listen to Al-betar boast of players wearing his suits after games. Folks, these are college kids who can barely scrounge up meal money, they most certainly can't afford a high quality tailored suit....or in the case of former star Julio Jones, 10 of them.

The video is here and yes, it is edited:


6/7/2010: Tuscaloosa T-Town Menswear Commercial... by sportsxbrooks

Ooops they did it again: Oklahoma in trouble with NCAA

Keith "Tiny" Gallon

((ht:newsok.com))

They are already on probation due to the legacy of former head basketball coach Kelvin Sampson. And no, the University of Oklahoma isn't going to be coming off of it anytime soon.

The reason. The school admitted Thursday to 2 major violations by a former assistant. The school, to their benefit, reported themselves, but as a now repeat violator, has some 'splainin' to do.

The issue involves now former assistant coach Oronde Taliaferro. The school says he helped get a "Benefit" for former center Keith Gallon and initially denied it. Four months later, he admitted it.

Read the entire story from NewsOk.com RIGHT HERE

Yes, Oklahoma put themselves on 2 more years of probation and vacated their wins from 2009. The question is, "Will it be enough?"

Nobody knows the answer to that. The violation is somewhat serious and the fact that Taliaferro lied to the NCAA isn't going to help things. We suspect the "Self-Imposed" penalties will probably be enough, particularly in light of the fact the NCAA has it within their power to shut down the program for a year or two.

They won't. While they may not be fans of Oklahoma's behavior, they won't shut them down. But you can fully expect they'll be under a microscope. A really, really big microscope.

UNC AD Dick Baddour Stepping Down

At the morning press conference explaining the firing of head football coach Butch Davis a week before practice begins, Dick Baddour has asked Chancellor Holden Thorp to start a search for a successor.

The words Baddour used are "as soon as possible" serving out his contract, but will assume duties other than Athletic Director when a successor is named. Baddour wants to have the new AD start a seamless transition for the recruiting process with a new head football coach...

Interviews are this afternoon for the interim head football coach, but sources are telling OSG Sports that the Offensive Coordinator has the inside track for the sake of the athletes on the roster...

Here's coverage from our friends at WRAL-TV and wralsportsfan.com

DEVELOPING: Butch Davis fired by UNC

((ht: newsobserver.com))

It had to happen this way. Particularly after he took full responsibility for everything just two days ago.

The University of North Carolina fired head football coach Butch Davis today, just before practice for the upcoming season was about to begin next week.

The University spoke in a press conference at length about "Restoring Integrity" and "Moving Forward", which wasn't wrong.

Really the question is just "Why now?"

Read the entire story from the Raleigh News and Observer RIGHT HERE

There's a long list of problems the program has come under fire for over the past two years. Several players were suspended for the entire 2010 season for alleged improprieties and the list of problems continues to grow.

We suspect this was the first move to show the NCAA that administrators at the school are still in control, but again, the question is, "Why now...?" There's been nothing new since the Michael McAdoo incident...and that was a few weeks ago.

No word on an interim replacement for Davis, but the school is going to have a lot of work ahead to try and restore its reputation and live through what happened over the past few years.

Here's the release from our friends at UNC their ownselves...

University of North Carolina Chancellor Holden Thorp announced this evening that Butch Davis has been dismissed as head coach of the Carolina football program.
Davis was informed by Thorp and Director of Athletics Dick Baddour of the decision.
“To restore confidence in the University of North Carolina and our football program, it’s time to make a change,” said Thorp. “What started as a purely athletic issue has begun to chip away at this University’s reputation. I have been deliberate in my approach to understanding this situation fully, and I have worked to be fair to everyone involved. However, I have lost confidence in our ability to come through this without harming the way people think of this institution. Our academic integrity is paramount and we must work diligently to protect it. The only way to move forward and put this behind us is to make a change.”

Thorp said the decision was not related to any change in the NCAA investigation, but that it was the result of the cumulative damage to the University’s reputation over the past year.

“Athletics and football are an important part of this University, and a successful football program is essential to the overall health of our athletic program,” Thorp continued. “That’s why we have to put this behind us and move forward.” Baddour said, “The last 13 months have been some of the most difficult that anyone associated with the athletic department and football program have dealt with. At this time, a decision has been made to change the leadership of the football program to help the entire University community move forward.

“I want to thank Butch Davis and his family for their four‐plus years of service and dedication to the University and the Chapel Hill community,” continued Baddour. “My staff and I will work with Chancellor Thorp to transition to an interim head coach as soon as possible. It is critical that we do all we can to help our students and other staff members on the football team since preseason training camp begins in just eight days.”

A presser is set for campus tomorrow morning...
More when we know more...

Does Alabama have a problem with T-Town Menswear?

Tom Albetar on Sidelines

((ht: al.com))
((outkickthecoverage.com))

This is an interesting story that we are aware of and raises a few questions. For those not in the know, apparently, a Tuscaloosa based business called "T-Town Menswear" was selling and/or distributing items autographed by University of Alabama student athletes.

For those Ohio State fans out there, yeah, this should raise an eyebrow.

This specifically  refers back to a story done by the excellent writer Clay Travis and his new blog "Outkickthecoverage.com".

In a story Travis wrote on July 22nd, he detailed how the store advertised itself with signed jerseys from Julio Jones, Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson during the 2010 season. Those jerseys were featured in the window displays which Travis documents as an NCAA violation, though not a serious one.

Read the entire story from outkickthecoverage RIGHT HERE

Shortly thereafter, Joe Schad of the 4-letter (ESPN), did a story, that didn't credit Travis, stating Alabama had looked into this and found no problems. He and now others mentioned the school had sent a "Cease and desist" letter to the store. And they found no violations or problems.

Hmmmm.

Just yesterday, Travis produced a slew of photos and documentation showing the owner of the Men's store, Tom Albetar on the sidelines, with a sideline pass at a slew of Alabama games. Not something most store owners get when they feel the urge. The indirect inference is Albetar is treated like a booster, not a random store owner.

Oh...and after the 1st "Cease and Desist" letter, Albetar still procured autographs from current Crimson Tiders A.J McCarron and Nico Johnson. The school sent a second letter to him after that. acknowledging that autographs were sold.

You can read that from OutKickTheCoverage RIGHT HERE

Through it all, the school's compliance department maintains the players had no idea the items were being sold. But the school did. Which makes zero sense. Why would they not say anything to the players about this? Why would they tell the guys to "Stay Away" after the first letter was issued?

The biggest question Travis poses, and we concur with is "Why is the NCAA taking Alabama at its word about this?" They were much more aggressive with Ohio State and quite honestly, this sounds, at least on the surface, like the exact same issue.

We think, much like Ohio State, where there is smoke, there is almost ALWAYS fire. The Alabama fans may not think so and the school appears not to think so. But this sounds fishy--at best. Had there not been documented evidence of Albetar flashing his sideline passes and his access to players, it would be less significant.

We hope a further investigation will be launched, but we aren't really confident that it will happen. In part, we believe, because its Alabama. We don't for a minute believe this is a "Program Killer", but it sure sounds like a pattern that needs to be stopped if the NCAA Investigative arm is what it says it is.

We'll be careful in the future, because as crazy as the fanbase is there, they are likely to come after people who criticize. All we are asking is they be treated like everyone else.

In that vein, here's what they call a "Hype Video" for the 2011 season:

Tennesse puts themselves on Probation

Bruce Pearl

((ht: knoxville news-sentinel))

We have an idea of what this means and we are quite sure it is trying to head off far more serious penalties by the NCAA.

The Knoxville News-Sentinel reported last night that the University of Tennessee has imposed a two-year probation on its athletic department. That, according to the paper, is a capper to the other penalties and punishments that have already been placed on the program.

You can read the story, and be as confused as we are RIGHT HERE

Here's what we think it means: Nothing. According to this, the school is of the opinion that no longer having Lane Kiffin and Bruce Pearl along with others on the athletic staff is a good start. They also point to the suspension handed down on Pearl as part of their proactive approach

All the probation essentially means is they will be in trouble if they do something again.

This is all to give the NCAA the message that they know they messed up and are handling it. It may or may not work. It certainly can't help. We certainly don't think this is as serious as the "alleged" violations at Ohio State, but it's already all but been decided tOSU is only getting off with a slap on the wrist. We think Tennessee is probably not going to get much more than that from the NCAA either.

The fine folks at WBIR-TV explain things on the TV side:

Chizik Clarifies, World Continues On Normal Rotation...

((HT: ESPN/SEC))

In direct opposition to Danny Sheridan's nebulous rant and riff on the PFRN yesterday about bag men and the such, Auburn head coach Gene Chizik went on the four-letter and discussed the SanDestin incident with the NCAA and what he can't control...

Anish Shroff asks questions...

LSU Has Sanctions With Self-Imposed Penalties, NCAA Takes No More Flesh... For Now......

((HT: WAFB-TV Baton Rouge))

The penalties, some of which were self-imposed by the university and adopted by the committee, include:

Public reprimand and censure.

One year of probation from July 19, 2011, through July 18, 2012.

One-year show-cause order for the former assistant coach from July 19, 2011, through July 18, 2012. The public report further details these conditions.

A 10 percent reduction in official visits for football during the 2010-11 and 2011-12 academic years (2010-11 self-imposed by university; 2011-12 imposed by NCAA)

A reduction of two initial scholarships (for a total of 23) for the 2011-12 class (self-imposed by the university).

A reduction of two overall scholarships (for a total of 83) during the 2010-11 academic year (self-imposed by the university).

Recruiting telephone call restrictions as detailed in the public report (self-imposed by the university).

The NCAA Committee on Infractions accepted LSU's self-imposed sanctions levied by LSU in a case that centered on the actions of ex-assistant coach D.J. McCarthy when he "improperly arranged for transportation and housing for former defensive lineman Akiem Hicks," then later tried to cover up what he did.

"A situation that could have been much worse was made better by the dedicated work of the LSU athletics compliance staff and I am pleased that the NCAA recognized LSU's effort to cooperate and be proactive," said LSU Chancellor Mike Martin. "With the support of Joe Alleva, the compliance staff led by Bo Bahnsen and Miriam Segar made an exemplary showing of how a university should react when mistakes are made. And I thank the NCAA Committee on Infractions for its work in hearing our case."

Here was the preview before the announcement, thanks to our friends at WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge...


Now, all the HQ is waiting on is the investigation of Will Lyles to see what other hammer will fall in Death Valley...

NCAA to Auburn: We aren't done yet...

Cam and Cecil Newton/Opelika Times

((ht: nytimes.com/thamel))

Interesting. The normally, somewhat placid SEC athletics meetings last month in North Augusta, South Carolina apparently had a little excitement in them.

No, Mike Price wasn't there, but the NCAA's VP of enforcement, Julie Roe Lach was.

And she had some interesting words with Auburn coach Gene Chizik. Now, in the interest of our Auburn contingent who reads us regularly, this probably is meaningless...but.

According to the New York Times, there was a bit of a testy exchange between Lach and Chizik when Chizik pressed her about the NCAA investigation into Cam Newton and Auburn recruiting. The quote was "You'll know when we're finished and we're not finished".


The Times confirmed this after talking to several people in the room at the time.

Read the full story RIGHT HERE (Might be subscription--just warning you)

Yes, we'll grant, this is news in large part due to the lack of news at the present time. We..and everyone else have gone into great detail of the why and what about the NCAA investigation into Auburn football and Cam Newton in particular.

This, we hope, means the NCAA is serious and not going to rush things just for the sake of it. They need to be sure that things were done right. This is an issue, they already haven't handled particularly well and they need to get it right. With the other outstanding investigations out there, they need for the schools to know they take this type of issue seriously and if you do something wrong, there will be repercussions.

BREAKING: tOSU Offers To Vacate 2010 Wins

((HT: WBNS-TV Columbus))

Ohio State University officials announced a self-imposed penalty to the NCAA of vacating wins from the 2010 football season, including the Sugar Bowl win over Arkansas, as a penalty for Tattoo-Gate...

The university submitted its response to the NCAA on Friday and it was also announced that former head coach Jim Tressel would appear in front of the committee...

Here's our friends at 10TV with Paul Aker in the newsroom...


The two years probation and the Vest's status going from "resigned" to "retired" are pretty funny if you ask the HQ...

The Columbus Dispatch's Randy Ludlow writes that there are two things missing- the post-season ban and the reduction of schollies...

The fact that the school thinks that no one else should be punished because only Tressel knew of the infractions is laughable at best...

From Ludlow and the response...
"The responsibility is upon Tressel. No other institutional personnel were aware" of the violations, and the former coach failed in his obligation to report them, the response says. "The institution is embarrassed by the actions of Tressel."

Sure... more when we know more...

And, while we're at it, here's NBC4's interview with AD Gene Smith...

McAdoo Sues North Carolina

Not THAT McAdoo...

We're talking football this time...

Defensive end Michael McAdoo, who is technically in the eyes of the NCAA an "ex-football player," is suing the school demanding he be reinstated after being declared ineligible for academic misconduct. He's also seeking damages from the school and the NCAA. The lawsuit also, while it's at it, accuses the NCAA of "gross negligence" in ruling him ineligible based on "inaccurate information." McAdoo's attorneys filed the lawsuit back on Friday.

McAdoo was one of seven players forced to sit out all of last season while the NCAA investigated all those improper benefits and academic misconduct allegations.

The lawsuit also "seeks to compel" chancellor Holden Thorp to reinstate McAdoo while also preventing the NCAA from interfering in the process. A hearing on that request is scheduled for July 15.

The HQ would like to tell McAdoo "good luck on all that..."
Here's some file tape on McAdoo that got him to Chapel Hill...
((HT: youtube))