NCAA sanctions Miami
22. MIAMI
Conference: ACC, Coastal Division; Coach: Al Golden, 3rd year (13-11)
Last year: 7-5, 5-3 in ACC, bowl ineligible
Final 2012 poll: NR-AP; ineligible in Coaches
Starters back: 8 offense, 6 defense
Season opener: Friday vs. Florida Atlantic
It's been a tough two-year slog for coach Al Golden, but Hurricanes are improving behind QB Stephen Morris, all-purpose RB Duke Johnson and veteran OL. Focus is on rebuilding 82nd-ranked defense, adding freshman LB Alex Figueroa and pass rusher Al Quadin Muhammad. Canes look like class of Coastal Division, should reach ACC title game. | Credit: AP
The University of Miami “lacked institutional control when it did not monitor the activities of a major booster”, the NCAA said in a statement of a nearly three-year investigation of the school released Tuesday morning.
The watchdog of college sports might have went a little easy on the Hurricanes to some people. Miami football will lose nine scholarships, but will not be banned from bowl games. Previous violators – USC, Ohio State, Penn State – were hit with scholarship reductions and bowl bans.
The bowl ban may have cost Ohio State a shot at the BCS national championship last season, while USC got hit with a two-year bowl ban and a reduction of 30 scholarships.
So why did Miami get what some may consider a slap on the wrist? USC and Ohio State put up resistance, while Miami school administrators admitted its mistakes and basically left itself at the mercy of the NCAA. Miami imposed a two-year bowl ban on itself, which certainly helped them avoid a stiffer penalty from the NCAA.
In Penn State’s case, the acts of former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky and the subsequent cover up by Nittany Lions’ school officials were just too egregious for the NCAA to go light on.
According to the NCAA’s report, about 30 student-athletes were involved with former booster Nevin Shapiro. Other individuals, including some football and men’s basketball coaches, as well as athletic department staffers had links to Shapiro.
Former Hurricanes’ basketball coach Frank Haith was also cited in the report and received a five-game suspension.
“Frank Haith failed to meet his responsibilities as a head coach when he did not monitor the activities of his assistant coaches, and attempted to cover up the booster’s threats to disclose incriminating information,” the NCAA report said.
The penalties for both the football and basketball programs include a three-year probation period, recruiting restrictions and the aforementioned reduction in scholarships.
Hurricanes assistant football coaches Clint Hurtt and Aubrey Hill and assistant basketball coach Jorge Fernandez received two-year show-cause order.
