Pac-12: Tim Floyd
Instant analysis: NCAA didn't buy USC's defense
The NCAA hammered USC with sanctions on Thursday, as the Trojans were banned from postseason play for two seasons, lost 30 scholarships over the next three years and must vacate all wins from December 2004 -- the BCS title game included -- through the entirety of the 2005 season.
USC was cited for a lack of institutional control, impermissible inducements, extra benefits, exceeding coach staff limits and unethical conduct by a running backs coach Todd McNair. Because of violations in 2001, the program also was considered a "repeat violator."
The penalties, USC's sixth case of major infractions since 1957, exceed in severity sanctions Alabama received in 2002 and what Washington received in 1993 -- major violations cases you can review here.
USC can appeal the ruling, but then it runs the risk of simply delaying the penalties further into the future.
The first question: Why did the NCAA hit USC so hard with sanctions?
Answer: It didn't buy any of USC's defenses.
- "The general campus environment surrounding the violations troubled the committee," the report said.
- "The committee noted that the violations in this case strike at the heart of the NCAA amateurism principal, which states that intercollegiate athletics should be motivated primarily by education and its benefits," the report said.
The 67-page public report recounts a laundry list of extra benefits provided to Reggie Bush and his family, much of which has been widely reported. The committee also found that McNair not only knew about Bush's dealings with would-be agents and sports marketers, he lied about what he knew to NCAA investigators. McNair, whom new coach Lane Kiffin retained as the Trojans running backs coach, is banned from all recruiting activities for a year.
"The committee finds ample reason in the record to question the credibility of the assistant football coach [McNair]," the report said.
The only gesture of mercy: No television ban. Said the report, "The committee seriously contemplated imposing a television ban penalty in this case. However, after careful consideration, it ultimately decided that the penalties below adequately respond to the nature of violations and the level of institutional responsibility."
So what does it mean?
First, there's the embarrassment of the vacated wins, which could mean the BCS takes away the 2004 national title.
But the NCAA obviously wanted to make a strong statement, and the only way to do that is to hit a program where it hurts: The present and future.
Losing 10 scholarships from each of the next three recruiting classes is a significant blow. Losing potential bowl berths for the next two seasons also will be a blow to recruiting as well as school finances.
In other words, these penalties will send the program that has won seven of the past eight Pac-10 titles back to the pack. Will it crush the program? Probably not. But let's just say the Trojans probably won't win the Pac-10 when they are again eligible for the postseason in 2012.
The unfortunate thing is the folks who will suffer most under these penalties -- players who weren't around in 2004 and 2005 -- are not the ones to blame. Most of the principals have moved on to bigger and better things. Bush and O.J. Mayo are NFL and NBA millionaires. Bush's parents, stepfather Lamar Griffin and mother Denise Bush, used their son's fame for profit, breaking NCAA rules in the process, probably couldn't care less. Former coach Pete Carroll signed a five-year, $33 million contract with the Seahawks. Tim Floyd is the basketball coach at UTEP.
USC looked like a slight Pac-10 favorite entering the 2010 season. Now that they are only playing for pride, who knows what the product will look like on the field.
The door is open for another program, or two, to make its move. Further, in 2012, the Trojans will re-enter the race after Pac-10 expansion in a weakened state, which means the opportunity window figures to be open for a few more years.
The NCAA doesn't like to talk about sending a message, but the USC ruling should do just that.
You can run -- or run your program loosely -- but ultimately you can't hide. Even if it takes four years, the NCAA will eventually have its say.
USC makes its case, now NCAA will decide its fate
USC's hearing before the NCAA infractions committee ended at 6:30 p.m., local time, Saturday, after nine hours of deliberation.
A hotel worker strained to roll away an overloaded cart of documents that included seven boxes and two massive bound folders that contained USC's responses to allegations of NCAA violations for the football and basketball programs.
To be accurate, USC was done -- football coach Lane Kiffin quickly said goodbye and raced to a town car so he could catch a flight back to L.A. -- but the infractions committee's work continued into the evening.
USC's ultimate fate still requires a verdict, which will require further deliberation for the infraction committee at another location. The ultimate ruling won't be made public until a final report is completed. That typically takes six to 10 weeks.
NCAA officials refused to comment afterwards, and USC officials weren't much more forthcoming.
"I can't even say no comment on no comment," USC president Steven Sample joked with reporters, then added. "It will come out. It will be great."
Said USC spokesperson James Grant, "We've been asked by the chairman of the committee not to discuss the proceedings. But we do want to thank the committee and NCAA staff and everyone involved for these proceedings and we are pleased we were able to present our side of the events and we look forward to an outcome and to moving on."
The first two days of the hearings focused on football, with Trojans running backs coach Todd McNair seemingly spending the most time being questioned. McNair reportedly was aware of a relationship between former running back Reggie Bush and a pair of aspiring agents who allegedly provided him with cash and gifts that would break NCAA rules against athletes receiving "extra benefits."
Basketball was the subject on Saturday, with former Trojans coach Tim Floyd appearing before the committee.
ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” reported in May of 2008 that former basketball player O.J. Mayo accepted cash and gifts -- extra benefits -- from Rodney Guillory, who was connected to Bill Duffy Associates Sports Management. Moreover, Floyd was alleged to have provided a $1,000 cash payment to help steer Mayo to USC, according to a Yahoo! Sports report.
"We got the opportunity to present our side of the case," said one of Floyd's lawyers, Jim Darnell.
USC already admitted wrongdoing with the basketball program and sanctioned itself, including a ban on postseason participation, a reduction of scholarships and vacating all of its wins from 2007-08.
However USC chose to contest the allegation against the football program, its ultimate goal is to overcome the perception of a lack of institutional control, which could result in significant sanctions, including scholarship reductions, TV and postseason bans, recruiting restrictions and probation.
Moreover, if USC is found guilty of major violations, the NCAA also could rule that the Trojans are "repeat violators." Per NCAA rules, "An institution shall be considered a 'repeat' violator if the Committee on Infractions finds that a major violation has occurred within five years of the starting date of a major penalty."
The athletic program was last sanctioned in August of 2001, so if the Bush allegations are found to be major violations, they would fall within that time frame.
So a lot is at stake.
David Price, the NCAA's vice president of enforcement, wouldn't discuss any details of the case but he admitted the hearings were "the longest in my 11 years" as an NCAA enforcement officer.
USC athletic director Mike Garrett's only comment afterwards probably reflected sentiments shared by all participants on both sides of the conference room.
"I'm glad it's over," Garrett said.
Of course, it won't be over until the NCAA finally sings.
Floyd calls appearance before NCAA committee 'right thing to do'
Floyd hopes the hearing and the handshake afterwards aren't his last contact with college coaching, which is one of the reasons he attended the hearing.
Jamie Squire/Getty ImagesFormer USC basketball coach Tim Floyd met with the NCAA infractions committee for nearly eight hours on Saturday."It's the right thing to do," he said.
Floyd, now an assistant coach for the New Orleans Hornets, was shortly hustled away by his lawyers, Jim Darnell and David Scheper, into a waiting elevator.
Floyd appeared before the committee because ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” reported in May, 2008, that his former player, O.J. Mayo, accepted cash and gifts from Rodney Guillory, who was connected to Bill Duffy Associates Sports Management. Moreover, Floyd was alleged to have provided a $1,000 cash payment to help steer Mayo to USC, according to a Yahoo! Sports report.
His lawyers said their intention was to present their side of the case and clear Floyd's name. They said they felt the hearing was fair. While they wouldn't talk about what went on behind closed doors -- or whether things got contentious -- they admitted there were some unexpected twists.
"Over eight hours there are always surprises," Darnell said. "But nothing that big of a deal."
As far as their odds of success, Darnell said he didn't have "the slightest idea."
"I'll know that in two months," he said.
USC already admitted wrongdoing with the basketball program and sanctioned itself, including a ban on postseason participation, a reduction of scholarships and vacating all of its wins from 2007-08.
While the details aren't available -- USC's status as a private institutions allows it to keep NCAA allegations from public scrutiny -- it's fair to say USC's version of events and Floyd's version don't match.
In fact, in recent interviews with the LA Times and New Orleans Times-Picayune, Floyd talked about how he believed USC athletic director Mike Garrett made him the program's scapegoat.
"Mike's reputation took precedence over the truth," he told the newspapers.
Floyd and his lawyers left at 3:30 p.m., local time, but the hearings continued.
Former football coach Pete Carroll was interviewed on Thursday. Current running backs coach Todd McNair, who allegedly was aware of former running back Reggie Bush's dealings with a couple of would-be sports agents, was interviewed Thursday and all day Friday.
When the committee is finished with USC, it will reconvene -- at an "undisclosed location," NCAA spokesperson Stacey Osburn said -- to evaluate the testimony and reach a verdict.
That could last well into the evening, and it remains possible that the committee won't be able to finish its business.
But, when the elevator doors closed behind Floyd, the last of the star witnesses departed.
Floyd the star of USC hearings, Day 3
After two days of football, it's on to hoops, though football coach Lane Kiffin remains inside the meeting room, as he has the previous two days.
Floyd is here because ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” reported in May, 2008 that his former player, O.J. Mayo, accepted cash and gifts from Rodney Guillory, who was connected to Bill Duffy Associates Sports Management. Moreover, Floyd was alleged to have provided a $1,000 cash payment to help steer Mayo to USC, according to a Yahoo! Sports report.
USC's already admitted wrongdoing with the basketball program and sanctioned itself, including a ban on postseason participation, a reduction of scholarships and vacating all of its wins from 2007-08.
The NCAA could accept these penalties against the basketball program or decide to augment them. And they could rope them together with alleged football violations and find USC lacked institutional control -- which could mean severe penalties for both programs as well as the athletic department as a whole.
Kiffin asked reporters for an update on the day's sports news. The conversation briefly turned to Tiger Woods before he had to return to meetings. The hearing could last well into the evening as the infractions committee tries to cover all aspects of the alleged violations before heading back to Indianapolis.
The LA Times noted that coaches are often compelled to sit in during these hearings, even if they aren't a centerpiece of the investigation, because it serves as a sort of "scared straight" program.
That, and from most of the participants' expressions, bored straight.
It's likely many of these people will have endured perhaps 30 hours of detailed and sometimes ponderous discussion before heading home.
Floyd is represented by two men, Darnell and David Scheper. USC fans might find it interesting that Scheper is a Notre Dame Law School alumnus, class of 1985.
The final portion of the day's business doesn't involve USC. When all questioning is complete, the infractions committee will hash over testimony, attempt to reach a verdict and, ideally, decide who will write the final report.
It's possible that the committee won't complete its process on Saturday. They may ask for more from USC and may need additional meetings later.
On average, most reports are completed within six to 10 weeks of the infractions hearing. But that time frame could extend longer for a complicated case.
Probably fair to say this is a complicated case.
What might be over is two days of questioning for USC running backs coach Todd McNair, who exited the hearing with his lawyer into a waiting elevator while the rest of the crew returned to the meeting room.
Representatives for Trojans basketball coach Tim Floyd showed up in the mid-afternoon but didn't join the hearing. They later confirmed that they and Floyd would not meet with the committee on Friday.
So it would be fair to say the first two days have been dominated by issues with the football program, and basketball won't take center stage until Saturday.
The infractions committee will push to finish the hearings on Saturday. The meetings won't run on Sunday, NCAA spokesperson Stacey Osburn said. If there's unfinished business, then the committee would schedule a new meeting with USC.
That's a worst-case scenario, though.
What's more likely is a long evening tonight and perhaps also one on Saturday.
USC now in for day two with NCAA infractions committee
Trojans running backs coach Todd McNair joined the meeting, so the focus still may be on football. I didn't see former Trojans basketball coach Tim Floyd but he is apparently going to be present at some point.
Unless he changed his mind, former football coach Pete Carroll bolted after the Thursday session and is now in LA.
New football coach Lane Kiffin is also still on hand.
More updates later.
The LA Times, by the way, caught up with Reggie Bush at the Olympics.
'No comment' sums up Day 1 of USC vs. NCAA
"No comment."
Said USC athletic director Mike Garrett, "I can say hello. I can say goodbye."
Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott was amused by a reporter's attempt to chat about how things might be going for USC as it defended itself against alleged NCAA rules violations for its football and basketball teams. "Thanks for asking," he said.
USC president Steven B. Sample enjoyed a cookie and used a pregnant pause to support his quip that he wasn't even going to say no comment.
The silence wasn't terribly surprising.
"We have been instructed by the chair of the proceedings not to discuss the proceedings," USC spokesperson James Grant said.
That would be former Miami athletic director Paul Dee, who slipped by before a reporter collecting various forms of "no comment" could acquire his.
So what can we say about Day 1 of USC's hearing, which will continue Friday and Saturday?
Former USC coach Pete Carroll was in attendance. He said he was leaving Thursday night and headed to LA for a charity event.
That, paired with the apparent absence of former Trojans basketball coach Tim Floyd as well as the presence of running backs coach Todd McNair, would suggest strongly that football was the focus of the first day. And that Carroll and McNair answered question about their knowledge of extra benefits former running back Reggie Bush allegedly received from a pair of would-be agents, among other things.
New football coach Lane Kiffin, sporting an impressive suit that Carroll took a moment to admire, also was on hand. He provided the day's best -- only -- analysis when he called the interaction inside the meeting "interesting" but the expressions of most folks' faces when they left the meeting room suggested that even James Cameron couldn't make the proceedings lively.
The big question for Day 2?
Will Floyd and the basketball program take the stage? Or will football still lead the agenda?
According to a source with knowledge of the proceedings.
"No comment."
Shh ... USC and the NCAA are meeting behind me
It's not likely much of news value will emerge this weekend, but you never know. Which is why the Pac-10 blog is parked out here with Gary Klein of the LA Times, USC spokesperson James Grant and Stacey Osburn, the NCAA association director of public and media relations.
It's going to be sunny and 78 degrees in Tempe, by the way, so everyone is thrilled to be inside, huddled in the lobby of a conference center.
Some links to read in the meantime.
- A timeline of USC's troubles.
- Klein gives a good rundown of what's ahead and what's at stake.
- Former basketball coach Tim Floyd intends to clear his name, which may put him at odds with USC.
- The NCAA is looking to discover what USC knew and what it should have known, says the Orange County Register.
- The LA Daily News checks in.
Probably not a whole lot.
The NCAA's ultimate ruling won't be announced for a while -- anywhere from six to 10 weeks, though perhaps longer -- so the fate of USC's football and basketball programs will remain in limbo until at least the spring.
If you're looking for a good story on what USC might face during the hearing, read this LA Times piece. If you want all the details of the procedures of an NCAA infractions hearing, you can find that here.
As for the members of the infractions committee, you can see them here.
As for what's at stake, read on.
What is this all about again?
While it's possible that NCAA investigators found other violations within the USC athletic department, four known issues will be contended.
- In April 2006, Yahoo! Sports reported Trojans running back Reggie Bush and his family were provided cash and gifts -- extra benefits -- by a pair of would-be sports agents who wanted to represent Bush when he turned pro.
- ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” reported in May of 2008 that basketball player O.J. Mayo accepted cash and gifts -- extra benefits -- from Rodney Guillory, who was connected to Bill Duffy Associates Sports Management.* Moreover, former Trojans basketball coach Tim Floyd was alleged to have provided a $1,000 cash payment to help steer Mayo to USC, according to a Yahoo! Sports report.
- The LA Times reported in December that running back Joe McKnight was using a 2006 Land Rover that belonged to a Santa Monica, Calif., businessman who employed McKnight's girlfriend.
- These allegations, as well as any other possible violations that might be reported, will be assessed to see if the total constitutes a "lack of institutional control" or a less severe charge of "failure to monitor" for the USC athletic department.
*USC's basketball program already self-sanctioned itself. The NCAA could accept these penalties or decide to augment them.
What is USC's position?
USC will claim coaches and administrators had no knowledge of Bush's and his family's relationship with agents. They likely will point to the contrast in alleged football and basketball violations and their subsequent response. The basketball violations, which involve pay-for-play allegations -- about the worst violation there is -- were dealt with swiftly and with substantial, self-sanctioned penalties, including Floyd being forced out. The Bush allegation involve individuals with no connection to the athletic department. They could, in fact, be viewed as individuals working against USC's interest to lure Bush to the professional ranks a year early. As for the McKnight allegations about the Land Rover, the businessman involved, Scott Schenter, said the Land Rover belongs to McKnight's girlfriend and that he is a Washington fan with no interest in representing McKnight or other athletes.
USC likely will admit some shortcomings in oversight, but will aggressively defend itself against charges that the program lacks institutional control.
What's at stake?
The past, present and the future, with USC focused on the latter two.
As for the past, Bush could be ruled retroactively ineligible. USC could be forced to forfeit wins in the record book, which subsequently could include Pac-10 titles. Further, BCS officials could strip the Trojans of their 2004 national title. Bush's 2005 Heisman Trophy also could be at risk.
That's not pretty, but USC will fight harder for the present and future. NCAA penalties that could affect those include scholarship reductions, TV and postseason bans, recruiting restrictions and probation.
If USC is found guilty of major violations, the NCAA also could rule that the Trojans are "repeat violators." Per NCAA rules, "An institution shall be considered a 'repeat' violator if the Committee on Infractions finds that a major violation has occurred within five years of the starting date of a major penalty."
USC's athletic program was last sanctioned in August of 2001, so if the Bush allegations are found to be major violations, they would fall within that time frame.
What's going to happen?
Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott has said that he doesn't believe the USC football team will get hammered with severe sanctions.
Fans of other college football teams -- inside the Pac-10 as well as across the country -- are hoping otherwise.
Will the NCAA put the brakes on the Trojans juggernaut?
See you in the spring.
Opening the mailbag: Tebow exhaustion in the Pac-10?
Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller
First, lots of feedback on my restaurant recommendations for the ultimate Pac-10 road trip.
I tried to go for diversity: seafood, Italian, Pan-Asian, French, steaks, cheap, pricey, frou frou, local institutions, etc.
Some of you took real offense to certain choices ... ouch!
As for those who don't like Adam's Place in Eugene, Ore., are you aware that it's the headquarters of the Eugene Martini Association!
I'm not going to just sit here and listen to you badmouth the home of the Eugene Martini Association, an organization that does so much good in the world, trying to help as many people as possible get the martinis they need!
[Sob.]
To your letters.
Cam from Albany, Ore., wrote: When comparing the spring production of Oregon against the tangible talent at USC, which school is deeper at QB for 2009?
Ted Miller: Interesting question.
USC has three quarterbacks who are more physically talented -- in terms of NFL possibilities, at least -- than any Oregon quarterback.
Oregon has Jeremiah Masoli, who's the top returning quarterback in the Pac-10, and Justin Roper, who has a lot of game experience.
None of USC's three quarterbacks -- Aaron Corp, Mitch Mustain or Matt Barkley -- owns significant experience running a Pac-10 offense. (Mustain's experience as a true freshman at Arkansas doesn't count for much; see his struggles with USC's pro-style offense.)
Oregon's third and perhaps fourth options are Darron Thomas and Nate Costa, if he's healthy. Hopes were high for Costa last year before he suffered another serious knee injury, and Thomas is the quarterback of the future.
Seems to me both schools are fairly set at the position. But heading into 2008, I'd take Masoli over anyone else in the conference.
Daniel from Cypress, Calif., writes: What are you hearing about the new PAC-10 commish, about making decisions that will promote viewing of PAC-10 football nationally and what do you see him doing about contributing to changing the BCS?
Ted Miller: You don't need to wait to hear from Larry Scott. Outgoing commissioner Tom Hansen told the Orange County Register this week that there have been discussions about starting a "Pac-10 network," similar to what the Big Ten has already done.
Way -- WAY -- preliminary. But it shows that the Pac-10 is finally, due to revenue woes, looking to get creative in the ways the league markets itself.
As for Scott, it's too early to know how he might change things. He's been laying low, and truth is he probably has no idea what he's going to do. Bottom line is he serves the will of the school presidents, most of whom seem dead-set against change.
And I think the Pac-10 is a long way from joining the revolt against the BCS.
Brian from Parts Unknown writes: With the recent news about Floyd at USC possibly giving Mayo's handler $1000 and the NCAA combining the basketball and football probes of USC, I am starting to believe USC will get more than a slap on the wrist. What do you make of this? What penalties would you guess will be coming if the latest allegations are true?
Ted Miller: What has been reported on the basketball side of things is significantly different than what has been reported on the football side.
This is a football blog, so I'm going to leave the Tim Floyd-O.J. Mayo mess to other folks to sort out.
As for football, as I have previously stated: It will come down to whether the NCAA finds that USC knew -- or should have known -- about Reggie Bush's relationship with a pair of would-be agents who were allegedly giving him money and gifts.
The evidence to support the notion that any USC coach had direct knowledge is scant. It basically amounts to an allegation that running backs coach Todd McNair socialized with Bush one night in San Diego when the would-be agents were around and claims by the would-be agents that they were allowed in the USC locker room after games.
Having been in the USC locker room many times, I can only say ... who isn't inside the freaking USC locker room after a game?
And, by the way, both Lloyd Lake's and Michael Michaels' lawyers said early in the case that they had no direct evidence that USC knew what was going on, according to the book, "Tarnished Heisman."
Where USC football, however, might be found most culpable is lax oversight.
Will that, combined with the basketball allegations, amount to the dreaded "lack of institutional control"? We shall see. The odds it will are certainly better than they were a few months ago.
Ryan from Austin writes: I really enjoy the blog. It is a nice dose of reality as a Trojan fan in Austin, TX. And for those wondering, coming back to Austin after flying out to Pasadena for the 2006 Rose Bowl was absolutely brutal. Vince Young SI cover everywhere for what seemed like months...wait, it was months. I digress but do have a question... Can USC get to the BCS championship game with one loss? I know there are numerous factors outside their control, but I'm curious if you think an early season loss to Cal or Ohio State ends their title game chances.
Ted Miller: Sure. As you say, a lot factors in -- other one-loss teams, USC's ranking when it loses and who it loses to, the Pac-10's top-to-bottom strength, etc.
What the Trojans need if they lose once is for the teams on their schedule to do well, the Pac-10 as well as Ohio State and Notre Dame. And it would help if the Trojans lone loss comes before November, or even mid-October.
If the Pac-10 makes a strong showing against another difficult slate off nonconference games and seven teams earn bowl eligibility, then USC probably would have a strong case with one loss.
Nate from Pleasanton, Calif., writes: If Stanford's Toby Gerhart does declare for the MLB draft who would you expect to step up for the Cardinal and how well do you think they would perform to keep the standards for rushing that were set with last years rushing attack?
Ted Miller: The good news for Stanford fans is it's starting to look like Gerhart will be back.
If Gerhart does bolt, however, Jeremy Stewart would be first in line, with a trio of incoming freshmen -- Tyler Gaffney, Usua Amanam and Stepfan Taylor -- finding themselves in the midst of an outstanding opportunity.
Moreover, coach Jim Harbaugh couldn't stop gushing about Alex Debniak this spring. He's going to double as a lineba
cker and running back.
As big an issue for the running game is filling some holes on the offensive line.
Van from Pahrump, Nev., writes: For context, I'm a rabid USC fan. I fully agree that Tim Tebow is already an all-time college great, possessed of justifiably admired awesome football skills and charismatic leadership abilities. But I really don't get the degree of unmitigated fawning over him that seems to universally anoint him as the "best ever." May I be so bold as to ask what ever happened to Vince Young? You know, that Texas QB who apparently played- and only modestly at that- many, many decades ago. I do not think any player in college history ever had an incredible performance like Vince did in the vs. Michigan Rose Bowl- and THEN came his even better performance against USC!
Ted Miller: If you've come expecting me to tweak Tim Tebow, you, my friend, are in the wrong place.
Two national championships. A Heisman Trophy and a third-place finish.
And another year in which Florida is expected to at least play for another championship.
Vince Young was wonderful in a pair of Rose Bowls. In fact, I'm not sure if his twin performances weren't the best bowl performance combination in college football history.
But Tebow has a chance, if he wins a third national title, to instantly become one of college football's all-time greats.
And, you know, he seems like a heck of a guy to me.
Manny from Scottsdale writes: Ted, Where do you hear [Arizona State quarterback Danny] Sullivan is a heavy favorite? He was horrible Spring Game and can't move. When I read ESPN I expect to hear good evaluation. Who are you getting that info from? ASU needs anything but Sullivan and we all saw it but you I guess?
Ted Miller: Dennis Erickson. Where did you hear differently?
USC: NCAA combines Bush, Mayo investigations
Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller
The NCAA has combined its investigations of Reggie Bush and O.J. Mayo -- former football and basketball stars -- into a single probe of the Trojans' athletic program, the Los Angeles Times reported.
What does this mean?
If you're a bigger fan of USC football than basketball, it should feel worrisome.
The individuals who allegedly gave Bush cash and gifts and a rent-free home for his parents were anonymous outsiders, two men trying to become sports agents. Unless the NCAA is going to pull a rabbit out of its investigative hat, all reported connections or interactions with these men and the Trojans' football program were scant and tenuous.
In other words, it didn't completely strain credulity that the coaching staff claimed ignorance.
The Mayo case had a different feel. Basketball coach Tim Floyd and his staff knew Rodney Guillory, a Los Angeles events promoter who allegedly was receiving monthly payments from the Northern California sports agency Bill Duffy Associates. They knew of the close relationship between Guillory and Mayo. They knew Mayo was a risky player to bring into the program.
By connecting the two cases, the NCAA appears to be now reviewing these investigations as systemic problems within USC's athletic department.
Yes, we're talking about the dreaded "lack of institutional control."
Or as ESPN's Pat Forde wrote in May when "Outside the Lines" broke the Mayo story: "So you take the Bush allegations, add a side of Mayo and ask the question: Has there ever been a more textbook definition of 'lack of institutional control'?'"
Which means potential penalties could include scholarship cuts, postseason bans, victories erased from the record book, etc., -- all the big ones.
USC officials would be quick to point out -- if they would talk specifically about these investigations at this point, which, of course, they won't -- that these are not accusations of pay-for-play.
These agents, the USC argument would go, are rogues working against the interests of the athletic program. Not only that, it's a misdemeanor in the state for sports agents and their representatives to provide cash or gifts to student-athletes.
The athletic department will throw up its collective hands and say completely monitoring the private lives of its athletes in a big city like L.A. is nearly impossible.
And it may hope that the lesser violation of "failure to monitor" comes out when the NCAA finishes its investigation.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Ted Miller
Miller has been covering college football since 1997, starting with Auburn and then heading West to Washington and the Pac-12. His columns for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer won first place in the 2007 APSE Best Writing contest. The Atlanta native and University of Richmond graduate presently lives with his wife in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Kevin Gemmell
Gemmell covered San Diego State and the Mountain West Conference for three years before joining ESPN.com. As a Santa Clara graduate, his hope is that the Broncos will one day re-institute football. Until then, he lives vicariously through his readers. Gemmell lives in California with his wife and son.
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