NCAA pounds USC with sanctions . . .

[Deb in IA]

Wow, Pete Carroll and company sure left a big mess . . .

Reggie Bush received improper benefits, including hotel stays, rent-free home for his family, limosine and a new suit.

And now, loss of 30 (!) football scholarships over 3 years, 2 year bowl ban, 4 year probabtion, PLUS, vacating 14 wins in which Bush played from December 2004 to the 2005 season.

And no more movie stars hanging around open football practice.

Since Bush won the Heisman in December, 2005, there is also talk of a review by the Heisman Trust.

But it could have been worse. They could have had a ban on TV appearances, but the NCAA decided against that.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/37621070/ns/sports-college_football/

 

[AshleyW]

Wow, Pete Carroll and company sure left a big mess . . .

Reggie Bush received improper benefits, including hotel stays, rent-free home for his family, limosine and a new suit.

And now, loss of 30 (!) football scholarships over 3 years, 2 year bowl ban, 4 year probabtion, PLUS, vacating 14 wins in which Bush played from December 2004 to the 2005 season.

And no more movie stars hanging around open football practice.

Since Bush won the Heisman in December, 2005, there is also talk of a review by the Heisman Trust.

But it could have been worse. They could have had a ban on TV appearances, but the NCAA decided against that.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/37621070/ns/sports-college_football/

Ouch. That 2 year bowl ban and the loss of scholarships hurts pretty bad, I'd bet.

The article says that Bush was ineligible to play starting in Dec 2004 -- did I miss where it said why he was ineligible?

 

[asta]

I hope Lane Kiffen enjoys his "dream" job. You know what they say about karma. Tennesse is better off without him.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Now the ugly question - who deserves the national championship for 2004? The Sooners (who were taken completely apart by USC in the bowl game) or Auburn, which finished undefeated and won the SEC. Hmmm...

 

[kydisneyfans]

and it took 6 years to find this out......The kids hurt the most by the penalty were 12 when this occurred.

 

[asta]

Ouch. That 2 year bowl ban and the loss of scholarships hurts pretty bad, I'd bet.

The article says that Bush was ineligible to play starting in Dec 2004 -- did I miss where it said why he was ineligible?

He was ineligible because he and his family accepted payment and extremely generous benefits (housing, cars, clothing). I think this means he was basically operating as a pro while playing on a college team.

 

[DawnM]

Wow.

My DH is an alumnus of USC. He has been following this closely.

Dawn

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

I hope Lane Kiffen enjoys his "dream" job. You know what they say about karma. Tennesse is better off without him.

I knew there had to be a Tennessee fan to comment soon! I'm actually an Alabama fan living near Knoxville, but I couldn't stand the guy from the very first time I saw him on TV.

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

Now the ugly question - who deserves the national championship for 2004? The Sooners (who were taken completely apart by USC in the bowl game) or Auburn, which finished undefeated and won the SEC. Hmmm...

Normally I say "Roll Tide!" But in this case, "War Eagle!"

 

[ICF]

Everybody knew they cheated and had for years.....many teams probably do it, but not many were as blatent about it as the USC Cheaters.

Once Carroll bolted for a crappy NFL team, you knew they were going down hard. He made the mess, but had not interest in being around to deal with the aftermath of it all.

Of course, Kifflin is even dirtier than Carroll....so this could still be fun to watch.

 

[hopemax]

About a month, before I started at the University of Washington in 1993, the football program was sanctioned. The QB took out a loan from a Booster for a car loan on the basis that he would repay it after he graduated and joined the NFL, which started the investigation, but ironically the UW was never punished for this. They were punished for Boosters providing summer jobs to football players and other benefits (free food, use of vehicles), improper contact by Boosters to recruits, and improper incentives from Boosters to recruits. For that we were given a 2 year bowl ban, loss of 20 scholarships, and a 1 year television ban.

That's the standard the Pac-10 set, and the other schools in the Pac-10, like USC did not come out and say it was too harsh. In fact, the LA Times ran a rather scathing piece about the UW Program and included several accusations that UW was never charged with.

So I have absolutely no sympathy for USC. I do not think the penalties are too harsh. Especially, since there is evidence that the coaches at USC knew what was going on, which there wasn't really in the UW situation. In fact, they called out the UW for "lack of institutional control" for NOT knowing what was going on.

And as a UW grad, I am doing a little happy dance. And DH and I actually feel a little better about what happened to UW because that level of punishment is being given to another school.

 

[AshleyW]

He was ineligible because he and his family accepted payment and extremely generous benefits (housing, cars, clothing). I think this means he was basically operating as a pro while playing on a college team.

That's what I thought - but I wasn't sure if maybe he was ineligible for a different reason and the gifts were a separate thing. Thanks!

 

[LilyWDW]

I knew there had to be a Tennessee fan to comment soon! I'm actually an Alabama fan living near Knoxville, but I couldn't stand the guy from the very first time I saw him on TV.

Not a Tennessee fan myself (heck, not a football fan period) but the uproar over all that around here was insane! Even I knew what was going on.

Oh well, hope he enjoys his new job!

 

[momof1princess]

they've lost 30 scholarships and kiffin thinks it's not going to have an impact on recruiting! i'm all for optimism, but let's not get delusional! sure, he'll still get some good players, but the ones who NEED a scholarship will be passing on USC for a school that can give them one!

 

[PirateSnowmen]

Now the ugly question - who deserves the national championship for 2004? The Sooners (who were taken completely apart by USC in the bowl game) or Auburn, which finished undefeated and won the SEC. Hmmm...

I read that they're pretty much just voiding that championship. They're not letting USC take credit for it, but they're not giving the championship (so to speak) to anyone else.

 

[Buckalew11]

I hope Lane Kiffen enjoys his "dream" job. You know what they say about karma. Tennesse is better off without him.

I knew there had to be a Tennessee fan to comment soon! I'm actually an Alabama fan living near Knoxville, but I couldn't stand the guy from the very first time I saw him on TV.

I'm not a TN fan either but Lane Kiffen was too much and I'm glad he is gone. He's a sneaky jerk and I hope they watch him like a hawk.

 

[momof1princess]

I read that they're pretty much just voiding that championship. They're not letting USC take credit for it, but they're not giving the championship (so to speak) to anyone else.

i heard the same thing on my 6:00pm news, but i live in alabama, and they also said that tommy tuberville (former auburn coach) was planning to argue for auburn to be awarded the title. i doubt he'll get very far with the BCS, but i wish him luck.

 

[Lassie Lynne]

Well, perhaps we will be hearing some different "school songs" in the Rose Parade now.....I *really* have gotten tired of the USC one (I have to say this, I am a Huskies fan ).

 

[tinatark]

I find all of the "Lane Kiffin got his" attitude by spurned University of Tennessee fans amusing - the investigation was almost done by the time he got to USC, and it was no secret - he still got a fat contract, only now he has some time to develop the team before he goes to post season play!

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

I find all of the "Lane Kiffin got his" attitude by spurned University of Tennessee fans amusing - the investigation was almost done by the time he got to USC, and it was no secret - he still got a fat contract, only now he has some time to develop the team before he goes to post season play!

He is being paid to hold the bag while they struggle for the next 5 or 6 years. He will be replaced before they win again. The loss of 10 schollies per year for 3 years will bring this program to its knees for at least a decade.