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August 17, 2011

U Have to be Amazed

Filed under: ACC,Conference,NCAA,Scandal — Chas @ 2:25 pm

Wow. Just. Wow.

There were so many topics I wanted to post on in the less than copious spare time, I have, but the bomb Yahoo! dropped in the college football world moves that to the front of the line.

I won’t lie, given Miami’s history. Given what happened with their departure from the Big East. I had a fair amount of bitter cackling laughter over this. I deeply mean this. I have been giggling like a school girl every time I look at that picture of Nevin Shapiro bowling with Frank Haith, while Miami Pres. Donna Shalala is greedily examining the check Shapiro gave her.

When you think of the possible consequences Miami faces for this. When you also think about the still ongoing mess with UNC football. Plus the penalties that were put on Georgia Tech over the summer. Well, it is clear that while the ACC may not be matching up with the big boys of college football on the field, they are overcompensating more than a little off of the field.

The only thing that touches on Pitt is that named in the report is Aubrey Hill. Back in 2005 he was hired to be Pitt’s WR Coach by Dave Wannstedt. Hill left Pitt after the 2007 season for Miami to be the WR coach and recruiting coordinator. After Shannon was canned, Hill was hired at his alma mater of Florida and is still employed there. Not really concerned with any of this coming back on to Pitt, but it’s worth keeping in mind.

New Miami Coach Al Golden appears to have been blindsided by this.

Miami admitted this week it knew of the charges by Shapiro last fall and forwarded the information to the NCAA.

Golden said he and athletic director Shawn Eichorst, who was hired in April, should have been informed of the existence of the investigation before taking their jobs.

“If they knew this was percolating, I believe they did have a responsibility to tell me,” Golden said. “I believe they have a responsibility to tell Shawn. But look, I’m happy here. My wife is happy here.

If you think there is nothing more to this and Golden will just move on, then you are lying to yourself. Golden is laying a bit of groundwork for getting out of Coral Gables as fast as he can. If Miami knew even some of what Shapiro has done — that Yahoo! verified — then that is a material fact that Golden and his agent needed to know. Significantly impacting whether he would take the Miami job and for how much and how many years.

Golden isn’t going to do anything until after the season, but you he is going to look at many options including a lawsuit if he has to. If past cases as messy as this are any indication — thinking very specifically about the USC one — then it could well be a couple years before any decision and punishment is issued. The looming issue could kill Golden’s promising career.

The person coming in for the most abuse is no longer active. Miami’s former AD Paul Dee. Why Dee? Because Dee, after finishing his time in Miamia as the AD from 1993-2008, served as chairman on the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions. The same group that leveled the penalties on USC with Reggie Bush and Memphis with Derrick Rose.

The man who after the Memphis decision spoke of “strict liability.”

Essentially, Memphis had the greatest season in its history wiped from the record because the Tigers used a player, Derrick Rose, the NCAA clearinghouse had ruled academically eligible. This seemed odd on the face of it. Memphis president Shirley Raines argued the university had followed guidance provided by the NCAA, but Dee and his committee determined that approval had been in error because the Educational Testing Service invalidated Rose’s SAT score — following the conclusion of his freshman season. “Strict liability,” he said.

And following the penalties issued in the USC case uttered words that many others probably nodded their heads as simple common sense:

“High profile players demand high-profile compliance,” Dee said 14 months ago in reference to Reggie Bush.

Instead, what does Dee say now?

See if this sounds familiar: “We didn’t have any suspicion that he was doing anything like this. He didn’t do anything to cause concern.”

But no, those were the words of Dee himself, Tuesday, to the Palm Beach Post, in regards to Shapiro’s allegations. Seriously. The same guy whose committee lamented the access outsiders had to the Trojans’ locker room and sidelines also told the Post that, ” [Shapiro] would come by, ask to go out to practice and we would send one of our staffers to accompany him.”

[Editor note: the link to the Palm Beach Post story, no longer contains those quotes. The story appears to have been updated several times and now reads: “Former UM athletic director Paul Dee said Tuesday that Shapiro was known around the school’s athletic department as a “very interested fan,” but said the former booster gave no indication that he was showering players with gifts and services.” The Dee quotes, however, have been cited in multiple articles suggesting that they were in the story originally. Why they disappeared for the the much vaguer statement is unknown.]

The “death penalty” will not be invoked against Miami, but in the end it seems likely that they will get slammed harder than USC. Since USC fought and appealed so long against the penalties, they have yet to truly kick in. Now that the scholarship reductions are starting, the pain for USC should as well in the next couple of years. Unlike USC, though, Miami is a nouveau riche program. They have shown in past scandals that coming back from them is much harder.

Considering that Miami pres Donna Shalala will most likely be fighting to keep her own job after this, Miami football may well take an additional hit as she tries to scapegoat and punish the program. There is going to be a lot of hurt put on Miami football from all sides — internally, the ACC and NCAA.

If it wasn’t for the fact that this is Miami, I might almost feel sorry for them.

Almost.





Looks like Terelle Pryor is also admitting to more NCAA violations than previously reported which include taking money and gifts from his “mentor”. I believe that was the guy who basically paid him to go to Ohio State and steered him clear of Michigan and Pitt.

These things aren’t shocking but its surprising to see so many teams finally getting spanked all at once for what they’ve been doing for decades

Comment by Coach Ditka 08.17.11 @ 2:58 pm

I could barely keep my eyes dry.

Comment by Justinian 08.17.11 @ 3:02 pm

What’s all this I keep reading about sandals in College Football?? For Pete’s sake, shouldn’t the players wear cleats?!?!?! Do these youngsters realize the extent of the damage that can occur if someone with cleats steps on another player’s foot while wearing sandals??? I can see wearing sandals in Miami, but Ohio State? Isn’t it cold up there? I guess they could wear socks with their sandals in Columbus.

But anyway, there really needs to be an NCAA rule outlawing sandals on the playing fi………..what?………..scandals?…..are you sure it isn’t sandals?……..it’s not?…….OK.

Never mind.

Comment by pghFred 08.17.11 @ 3:21 pm

Is it to late for a player in Miami who signed this year to ask to be releaced from his letter of intent.

Comment by FRANKCAN 08.17.11 @ 4:25 pm

Note that The U is hosting Ohio St in late September. I can’t wait to see all the names that will be given to thsi game.

‘The Sanctions Bowl’ I know this is weak but I just wanted to get the ball rolling.

Comment by wbb 08.17.11 @ 4:45 pm

Looks like the Big East might be able to pick the ACC and Big 12 apart. No conference is going to want Miami now.

Comment by TX Panther 08.17.11 @ 4:47 pm

The CSI Bowl!

Comment by Tony M 08.17.11 @ 4:48 pm

Another thought … if Miami did do its due diligence and informed Golden about the investigation when they were courting him, it is quite possible that we here on this site would never have heard of the ‘high octane” offense.

Comment by wbb 08.17.11 @ 4:49 pm

UNC, GaTech and now the”U” have all gone down the wrong path in the vaunted ACC. It is very possible that both Clemson and Florida State will be invited to join the SEC when crunch time comes from the Texas A&M switch.
Yep, the Big East needs to expand and yep, the ACC is going to be looking toward schools with football reputations and strong academics. Do I smell an eventual merger. But wait….what happens to the Catholic Basketball League???
The footprint of the new Big Atlantic Conference should be strong enough to garner a strong TV contract. ……and yep, the basketball would still be strong enough for Coach Dixon to keep his smile as he prepares for Duke and UNC.

Comment by isnore 08.17.11 @ 5:25 pm

The OSU-Miami game will be known as the Ineligibowl.

Comment by Patric 08.17.11 @ 6:00 pm

Haha, I like it, Patric.

Comment by Jeff 08.17.11 @ 6:03 pm

Aug 17 sean keeley sb nation big east in secret discussion with both kansas schools.

Comment by FRANKCAN 08.17.11 @ 6:32 pm

Love the title of the post, Chas! It couldn’t have happened to a nicer school and fan base. Those U fans were a little much at the game last year…

Comment by FG 08.17.11 @ 6:36 pm

Cash, gifts, prostitutes, on-field bounties, ponzi schemers, and more. Wow…And people said the most exciting thing out of Miami football was Devin Hester.

Comment by SilverPanther in NYC 08.17.11 @ 6:50 pm

Marinatto said he has been contacted by 12 schools interested in membership if big east expands. from NBC sports posted bye kercheval big east and kansas talking.

Comment by FRANKCAN 08.17.11 @ 7:20 pm

Karma to that malignant dwarf donna

Comment by 63 Team 08.17.11 @ 7:56 pm

Just got a chance to read. Great reporting and comments. Made my day, thanks.

Comment by steve 08.17.11 @ 8:02 pm

I see we have some right leaning folks on the blog.

Comment by cnorwoodaz 08.17.11 @ 10:47 pm

Hmmm…According to the PG, Marrinatto has been in contact with both the ACC and the Big 12…He wants to do things the right way with respect to conference realignment…What do you suppose that is all about? On the Miami thing…its already been said above, but the old saying rings so true here: Karma is a B#$%^!

Comment by HbgFrank 08.17.11 @ 11:04 pm

Never have we seen the sweet retribution of bad karma attack so consistently and furiously as the hit put on the ACC this summer. Regret is thankless but painful. Swofford is looking dumber than Marinatto (those two along with Bebee leads the ranks of stupid in conference commissioners – good company for Marinatto). Buyer’s remorse has prompted some NCState fans at StatesFansnation.com to wish the ACC had invited Pitt or Syracuse rather than Miami.Twenty-five percent of ACC schools in the doghouse for major violations. Greed ricochets like a real M.F.

Comment by TonyinHouston 08.18.11 @ 12:05 am

on a more positive note
link to post-gazette.com

Comment by wbb 08.18.11 @ 6:54 am

TonyinHouston–Is Marinatto really “dumb” or just more focused on overall Big East Conference interests–which are skewed more to hoops than football–as a result of having so (too) many non-football members? I subscribe more to that latter theory than the he is just “dumb” theory.

Comment by pitt1972 08.18.11 @ 9:33 am

We must burn Providence to the ground.

Comment by TX Panther 08.18.11 @ 9:44 am

Wasn’t Golden rumored and perhaps confirmed as Pederson’s first choice for the original Pitt vacancy? I think many, including myself, said they could understand him taking the U job over Pitt, but the guy has to be kicking himself a little right now.

Comment by TampaT 08.18.11 @ 11:50 am

Hey, from a die hard Pitt fan, I feel bad for Golden, seemed like a really decent guy. What a crock. I have to believe he wasn’t told, why would you go to a school with that cloud.

@Patric, wow, you should go get the trademark for that, find a printer, and set up camp at the other Big 10 schools, and ACC schools, and any other rivalry opponents of OSU and UM, on gameday, you’d make a fortune!!! LMAO!!!

Comment by Dan 08.18.11 @ 12:26 pm

@Patric, I will look and keep my ears open for a better slogan, but, I think the search is done, you nailed it!! Allready sent some e-mails out to Penn St nephews and nieces giving you credit!!!

Still howling!

Comment by Dan 08.18.11 @ 12:28 pm

Thanks for pointing out Patric’s post, Dan. I missed that the first time.

Patric: I have a good friend who has a pretty big business making game day t-shirts with sayings like that. Maybe you can sell that to him. Let me know and I’ll rep you…for the standard 10% agent’s fee of course! Ha-ha.

Comment by TampaT 08.18.11 @ 3:44 pm

Patric: You have one week to contact TampaT, or you void your rights. Then TampaT has the rights, and, of course, I’ll take the 10% agents fee!! LOL

All kidding aside, what do you think the announcers are going to talk about, or will they act like nothing’s wrong???

Comment by Dan 08.18.11 @ 4:59 pm

My guess Dan would be….they will act like nothing’s wrong, since they get their talking points for the game from their networks. And the TV Networks have corrupted college sports as much as the boosters have. Yes, I said that.

Comment by melvinbennett 08.18.11 @ 7:23 pm

By the way, If Miami doesn’t get the ‘Death Penalty’ the NCAA will lose whatever little credibility that have left.

SMU had a thriving program in the 1980’s and at that time had more tradition than Miami and they did far less than Thug U. and we all know what happened there.

Comment by melvinbennett 08.18.11 @ 7:27 pm

It couldn’t have happened to a nicer bunch of criminals. I became a Pitt fan when Pitt beat Miami (Florida) in 1997. The game didn’t really matter on the national scene, but I hated the Hurricanes with a such a passion that PITT became my new favorite team. Hell, I almost rooted for Notre Dame in the “Catholics vs. Convicts” game, but I resorted to rooting for a scoreless injury riddled tie.

Running Randy Shannon out of town shows what “the 2nd” Miami is all about (Miami University was founded in 1809, University of Miami was founded in 1925 for the few who care, and for those who don’t, kiss my pasty white Irish ass). I also feel bad for Gruden. I couldn’t possibly feel bad to any extent whatsoever for anyone else caught up in all this. The school/parolee-back-to-work-program, the ACC and the two soulless trolls deserve far worse than whatever they ultimately receive.

Anyone surprised by any of this needs to be forever precluded from procreating. Drugs? Prostitutes? This from the institution responsible for Michael Irvin? No way.

It’s fitting that the institution’s colors are predominantly orange, since that’s the same color their new uniforms will be, only they’ll be jumpsuits saying “Department of Corrections” on the back.

Comment by stevie mac 08.18.11 @ 11:43 pm

pitt1972:
Methinks you are being too generous with Marinatto. More definitive answers await us as the next chess moves are made. Would be nice to see the Big East leading than always following.

Comment by TonyinHouston 08.19.11 @ 12:07 am

I think Shalala is the new Heidi Fleiss.

To think she was the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services for eight years in Clinton’s cabinet, where she was known for her strict anti-drug sentiments, as well as the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom (the highest civilian honor) from GWB. Talk about a legacy ruined. Ahh, fu(k her.

Comment by stevie mac 08.19.11 @ 12:15 am

Let’s see this makes 3 ACC teams that have been or will be sanctioned by the NCAA in the last year. Thug U., The Tarholes and Georgia Tech. Florida State is always one heartbeat (or former player) away from sanctions, as is Clemson. And I consider VA Tech just a notch above(or would it be below) FSU & Thug U in level of thuggery.

Which leads me to this thought.

Do we really want any part of this conference if
say Thug U gets the Death Penalty and the ACC goes shopping? Besides all that, they signed a really crummy TV contract for like the next 20 years. Trips to play Wake Forest, Duke, NC State, Maryland and whoever else is left in the ACC or is not being sanctioned or on probation does not seem real enticing to me.

Comment by melvinbennett 08.19.11 @ 6:06 am

As far as Shalala, she can always get a job in the circus as the incredible bearded female (I assume) dwarf.

I can see the marquee now:

“See the only female bearded former Cabinet Secretary dwarf on the planet wearing it’s Presidential Medal of Freedom”

Plus as an added attraction…… watch in amazement as a midget former Ponzi schemer is benched pressed by Shaq while both simultaneously guzzle magnums of Dom Perignon.

Comment by melvinbennett 08.19.11 @ 6:53 am

LOL, stevie mac…..soul-less trolls….Department of Corrections Orange jumpsuits…..Shalala the new Heidi Fleiss….lmao. This is all way too much fun.

Seriously, though I think Donna would prefer say….Janet ‘Butch’ Reno or that other example of femininity (or is it femdom), Janet Napolitano.

Comment by melvinbennett 08.19.11 @ 7:15 am

It took some 8 years but Shalala, Swofford, and the ACC as a whole got what was coming to them. I quit watching college football for some five years [except Pitt] including bowl games as it turned in to a popularity contest.

Pro football is the only sport with a level playing field. I only watch in order Pitt FB&BB, the Pirates, and the Steelers. Baseball as a sport is a disgrace.

Comment by joel 08.19.11 @ 11:20 am

Good point joel.

I’m even getting fed up with the NFL and all the hoods and their gangsta antics. The culture surrounding the game is getting or has gotten NBA-esque.

Comment by melvinbennett 08.19.11 @ 1:16 pm

Hey, more from fantasyland, but, just a thought to bs over the afternoon.

Wojihowski (sp?), pretty good college writer for ESPN or S.I.? Says his best bet, for the TA&M partner is…….Louisville!!!

Worst scenario for Pitt and the Big East!!

Fla doesn’t want FSU, USC same with Clemson and UGA with Ga. Tech.

Kentucky doesn’t have the power, nor would they, since they play Louisville every year anyhow.

We would go from, Big East, hybrid BE-ACC, or BE maybe being able to steal a few teams, to……..

The same situation we are in now, except, we will need 4 teams!! UCF, Houston, Memphis and E.Carolina!!! Ugggggggghhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!

Never thought of that scenario, BE getting swiped for SEC purposes. Yes, I heard some stuff about WVU, never bought into it. Never thought of this scenario, and, I don’t like it.

Hopefully one of many unfounded rumors, but, that is his best bet!!! Not good.

Comment by Dan 08.19.11 @ 2:38 pm

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