Indiana Hires Kelvin Sampson

[Kodos]

hxxp://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071015/SPORTS0601/310150001

Ex-IU star calls for coach's firing Related articles

By Mark Alesia and Mark Montieth
[email protected]

1:33 PM -- Ex-IU star Benson calls for firing

Kent Benson’s feelings on the latest NCAA recruiting violations committed by Indiana University basketball coach Kelvin Sampson boiled down to one question.


"What happened to the zero tolerance mandate imposed against Sampson when he was hired by the university because of violations committed while he coached at Oklahoma?

“Here we get rid of a legend (Bob Knight) who had a perfectly clean record in 30 years of coaching at Indiana University,” a seething Benson said today in a telephone interview. “We put a zero tolerance rule on him and he was gone.

“For the athletic director and trustees to allow this to happen, it’s an absolute travesty. It’s an embarrassment to the former players and the university.

“They need to do the right thing. If no tolerance means no tolerance, they should get rid of him. And (athletic director Rick Greenspan) should be right behind him.”

Benson, a three-time All-America at IU and the center on the undefeated national championship team of 1976, lives in Bloomington. A loyal supporter of the program in previous seasons, he said he doubts he’ll attend games if a coaching change is not made.

“After what’s happened today, probably not,” he said. “How can you support a program like that?”


Patrick Shoulders, vice president of Indiana University's Board of Trustees, said Monday he wasn't consulted about the penalties the school imposed on men's basketball coach Kelvin Sampson, but he said he supported them and that IU was right not to fire the coach.

On Sunday, IU's athletic department announced that Sampson had violated NCAA recruiting restrictions issued to him for previous rule-breaking while coaching at Oklahoma. IU announced self-imposed penalties, including a $500,000 fine for Sampson, the loss of a scholarship for one year and recruiting restrictions.

"My first reaction was shock and having trouble believing it," Shoulders said. "Then, after some reflection, I thought it's important to keep perspective on this. It's terribly unfortunate, but the reason this university exists will certainly go forward."

He described Sampson's violations as "10 errant phone calls with no intent to violate the rule." There were also 35 phone calls made by assistant basketball coaches that violated NCAA rules.

"I hope Kelvin Sampson and others in the athletic department learn from this," Shoulders said. "I highly value our spotless reputation in terms of NCAA compliance and absolutely expect people to abide by the letter and spirit of the rules."

IU has not had a major NCAA violation since 1960.

Shoulders said he doesn't think other trustees were consulted on the matter, calling it a "presidential decision ... an administrative matter."

NCAA spokesperson Stacey Osburn declined comment, except to say that the NCAA committee on infractions has received a report from IU on the matter.

Ball now in NCAA hands for IU coach and program

The NCAA committee on infractions will again have a say on the future of Indiana University's men's basketball team in what may be an unprecedented case.

Just two days after the excitement of the season-opening Hoosier Hysteria fan fest at Assembly Hall, IU announced Sunday that coach Kelvin Sampson had violated NCAA recruiting restrictions related to previous rules he broke at the University of Oklahoma.

The Hoosiers imposed several punishments on Sampson and the basketball program:
Sampson will forfeit $500,000 in salary.
The school will lose a basketball scholarship for one season.
Various staff recruiting restrictions that go beyond normal NCAA rules will be in place for one year.

It's unclear when the NCAA committee on infractions will consider the issue. It does not comment publicly before issuing a final report. But it has the power to call a hearing and add to the IU-imposed punishments.

IU, however, thinks it "went above and beyond" its responsibility with "very significant and strong sanctions," said Robin Green Harris, an attorney hired by IU who specializes in NCAA enforcement.

The violations included Sampson participating in "about 10" three-way phone calls with an assistant coach and a recruit. Those calls were contrary to restrictions imposed by the committee on infractions in May 2006 for recruiting violations Sampson committed while coaching at the University of Oklahoma.

Green Harris' report also found 35 phone calls made by assistant coaches that violated NCAA recruiting rules. That's the issue that got Sampson in trouble with the NCAA at Oklahoma.

IU reported those separately to the NCAA's enforcement staff as "secondary" infractions.

IU considers the self-imposed punishments as sufficient to cover Sampson's violations, as well as those of his assistant coaches.

"The rules that we broke were mistakes, but they weren't mistakes with us hitting our chests thinking that we don't have to worry about this," Sampson said. "It's a mistake, and we take full responsibility for what happened."
On Friday, 13,000 IU fans had ushered in the new season by watching the team scrimmage. The Hoosiers, with star freshman Eric Gordon, the reigning Indianapolis Star Indiana Mr. Basketball from North Central High School, are among the favorites to win the Big Ten Conference. The program is generally considered to be surging.

There was a much different tone Sunday, however, in a teleconference with reporters that included Sampson and athletic director Rick Greenspan.

"This decision was not made by the athletic director, but it has been made with considerable thought and it's a matter we will now move forward to the NCAA," Greenspan said.

IU president Michael McRobbie said in a statement that he was "very disappointed" and that "it appears that the coaching staff's impermissible actions were a result of carelessness, as opposed to any deliberate attempt to evade the sanctions."

"We play by the rules at Indiana University, and we will not tolerate any sort of carelessness and inattentiveness that might give the public cause to doubt our commitment to the rules," McRobbie's statement said.

What makes the case unique is that three-way calls don't violate NCAA rules and are generally allowed. But in this case, they violated a restriction imposed on Sampson by the committee on infractions.

While coach at Oklahoma, Sampson and his staff were found to have broken NCAA recruiting rules from 2000 to 2004. Oklahoma imposed punishments, and when IU hired Sampson in March 2006, the Hoosiers did the same.
After a hearing, however, the committee on infractions added to those punishments, saying that while at Oklahoma, Sampson "fostered an environment of deliberate noncompliance."

Among the added restrictions: Sampson wasn't allowed to initiate phone calls to recruits or be present when a staff member made such calls from May 2006 to May of this year.

The infractions committee's May 2006 report didn't specifically address three-way calls. But Green Harris said a subsequent interpretation from the NCAA "did clearly state that three-way calls involving coach Sampson would not be permissible."

Green Harris said she thinks certain factors will work in IU's favor before the committee.

One is that potential violations were discovered internally during a routine audit. Then IU hired an outside investigator (Green Harris and the Indianapolis law firm Ice Miller) and reported everything to the NCAA in a timely manner.

IU has an excellent record in NCAA rules compliance. It has not had a "major" violation since 1960.

[duckman]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Shall I enlighten you again?

Why you got bring up the past?

[st.cronin]

I don't remember what I said, but I'm pretty sure I posted at the time that Sampson was a terrible, terrible decision for Indiana.

[Kodos]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

lol stupid Indiana

Mike Davis will be in the Sweet Sixteen as a head coach before Indiana is.

Extensive research has turned up this.

[dime]

IU's problem is that they think they are UNC or UCLA or Kansas, but they're not...none of the top-drawer coaches wanted the job when it was available, and they settled for a questionable guy in Sampson.

Davis was not a good coach and seems to have some mental issues, but Sampson is hardly the guy to bring the Hoosiers back to the glory days of Knight. Those days are long gone, and the sooner the fan base accepts it the easier it will be for a new coach to build a contending program.

[Swaggs]

Originally Posted by dime

IU's problem is that they think they are UNC or UCLA or Kansas, but they're not...none of the top-drawer coaches wanted the job when it was available, and they settled for a questionable guy in Sampson.

Davis was not a good coach and seems to have some mental issues, but Sampson is hardly the guy to bring the Hoosiers back to the glory days of Knight. Those days are long gone, and the sooner the fan base accepts it the easier it will be for a new coach to build a contending program.

I don't really have a dog in this, but I do think that Indiana is one of the premier basketball programs in the nation. I've had this conversation with friends from different parts of the country, and the three schools that you mentioned, Duke, Kentucky, and Indiana are the names that seem to continually come up as the best historical basketball schools.

[dime]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

I don't really have a dog in this, but I do think that Indiana is one of the premier basketball programs in the nation. I've had this conversation with friends from different parts of the country, and the three schools that you mentioned, Duke, Kentucky, and Indiana are the names that seem to continually come up as the best historical basketball schools.

You are definitely not alone, but I wonder if this is a generational thing...the hoosiers just haven't been a powerhouse since the early 90s. Who are the most recent NBA players they've produced? Jared Jeffries, Cal Cheaney, Alan Henderson...you have to go even farther back to come up with a star player -- Isiah Thomas? I just don't think that recruits see Indiana as something special, despite booster expectations that see Indiana on par with North Carolina and Kentucky. That makes the head coaching job there a real tough situation to get into.

[dawgfan]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

I don't really have a dog in this, but I do think that Indiana is one of the premier basketball programs in the nation. I've had this conversation with friends from different parts of the country, and the three schools that you mentioned, Duke, Kentucky, and Indiana are the names that seem to continually come up as the best historical basketball schools.

Interesting - why is it that UCLA isn't in that list as well?

[Swaggs]

Originally Posted by dawgfan

Interesting - why is it that UCLA isn't in that list as well?

The three schools he already mentioned were UCLA, UNC, and Kansas. So, those six schools, in my opinion are "traditional" basketball schools and the type of schools that you worry about them (no matter how much money your school has) when they are interested in hiring your head coach.

There are other emerging programs (obviously Florida, Michigan State, UConn, Syracuse, etc.) that are getting there, but I think those six have a special mystique for coaches and recruits. Kind of like USC, Notre Dame, Alabama, Oklahoma, etc. in football.

[miami_fan]

More phone call issues. It was all the assistant coaches' fault this time.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dl...452/1196/LOCAL

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University basketball coaches made more than 100 potentially impermissible phone calls to recruits, not just the 35 that school officials disclosed Sunday as violating NCAA rules, an IU spokesman confirmed Tuesday.


The calls were made by assistant coaches, not head coach Kelvin Sampson, said Larry MacIntyre, vice president of university communications.
"We're calling attention in this report to a little over a hundred calls, 35 of which we are labeling as possible NCAA violations," MacIntyre said. "The rest we are saying may have been contrary to the sanctions (imposed on Sampson while at the University of Oklahoma), but in a lot of cases it's not really clear what they were."
The confusion exists for two primary reasons.
Cell phone records show many of the calls lasted one minute, MacIntyre said. That could indicate the call didn't connect, and thus a violation might not have occurred.
Other calls made to a recruit's house might have been intended for the player's father, who doubled as his coach. Programs are allowed to make an unlimited number of calls to coaches.
"In many of the calls, you can't say with specificity what it was," MacIntyre said. "The lawyers have gone over this stuff with a fine-toothed comb, and in some cases they just weren't sure what the calls were, and so they included them in the report."
The report submitted to the NCAA has not been released to the news media because IU says it is redacting names of prospective student-athletes, their parents and their phone numbers.
MacIntyre said the report indicated Sampson did not make any cellular calls during his sanction period, which expired in May. Because of rules violations he committed at Oklahoma, he had been prohibited by the NCAA from phoning IU recruits.
IU officials said Sunday, however, that during that period, phone records show Sampson participated in 10 three-way calls, with a recruit and an IU assistant coach, which is not permissible.
Assistant coach Rob Senderoff made most of the more than 100 calls in question. IU has banned Senderoff from calling recruits or taking recruiting trips through July. Assistant coach Ray McCallum, like Sampson, did not make any of the calls, the report said.

[MrBug708]

This caught me totally off guard, like straight from left field...

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3243325

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

WSU could use Kelvin Sampson right about now....

Bad advice Bug, bad advice

[Drake]

I wouldn't be surprised to see the university fire Sampson by the end of the week and install Dan Dakich as interim coach.

In fact, I'd sort of like that scenario.

Or, you know, I hear that Bob Knight is currently unemployed. :P

[nfg22]

This would solve his sudden retirement mystery...

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Dear Indiana,

We warned you.

Sincerely,
The rest of the Big 12

[Kodos]

I bet the idiots over on the Scout boards who were defending this idiot are out in full force today...

I was against this hiring from the start. What an asshat. I still don't understand why they hired him...

[sooner333]

Good riddance.

[Kodos]

More from the Indy Star.
hxxp://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080213/SPORTS0601/802130516

NCAA: Sampson misled IU about calls


By Mark Alesia

Indiana University men's basketball coach Kelvin Sampson "repeatedly" provided "false or misleading information" to the school and NCAA investigators, according to a list of five major violations the NCAA is alleging against IU.

Coach Kelvin Sampson provided "false or misleading information" to Indiana University about calls to recruits, the NCAA report finds. - Matt Kryger / The Star

The "notice of allegations" sent to IU president Michael McRobbie on Feb. 8, and obtained by The Star today through a public records request, alleges that Sampson knowingly violated telephone recruiting restrictions and then lied about it. The restrictions were imposed because of the coach's NCAA violations while at Oklahoma.

Sampson "failed to deport himself … with the generally recognized high standard of honesty" and "failed to promote an atmosphere for compliance within the men's basketball program," according to the allegations. The cover letter was signed by David Price, NCAA vice president for enforcement.

IU has until May 8 to provide a written response. The letter says it's anticipated IU will be required to appear June 14 in Seattle at a hearing before the Division I Committee on Infractions.

According to Sampson's seven-year contract, signed in April 2006, if IU fires him for "just cause" it would owe him nothing beyond his regular compensation through that month. Among the definitions of "just cause" in Sampson's contract is "a significant, intentional, repetitive violation of any law, rule (or) regulation" of the NCAA.

Another definition is "Failure to maintain an environment in which the coaching staff complies with NCAA ... regulations."

The contract says IU is allowed to use its "sole judgment" to determine if Sampson's conduct "reflects adversely upon the university and its athletic program."

Major violations of NCAA rules, as opposed to "secondary" violations, can carry punishments including postseason ineligibility.

IU has a strong record in NCAA compliance, with no major violations since 1960.

School officials were not immediately available for comment. A statement is expected this morning.

Assistant coach Jeff Meyer, who was involved in several of the allegations, issued a statement today through an attorney.

“In my twenty-nine years as a college coach, I have tried to maintain a reputation for integrity, fairness and good sportsmanship – values shared by Indiana University and the NCAA," the statement read. "I regret that I may have made mistakes that are causing my and IU’s conduct to be examined by the NCAA."

[hoopsguy]

Sampson - now there is a coach that is all class. I learned that last week.

[hoopsguy]

OK, now that I've got my smug "you got what you asked for" comment out of my system - how do the Indiana fans think this will go down? From reading the above article, it doesn't look like there is an assistant to throw under the bus this time around.

As the article states, IU has a well-deserved reputation for running a clean program. I would hope that continues once Sampson departs. I'm all for having a good UI/UI rivalry, but preferably it can be a healthy one with a underlying level of respect between programs. That isn't possible with the current regime (basketball only, not a statement about the school at large).

[Kodos]

I think Sampson is (and should be) gone. Greenspan, the AD, may be in trouble too, since he is the one who brought this scumbag in. I only hope Sampson is fired before tonight's game. I think a self-imposed postseason ban this year is appropriate.

[Kodos]

From the Bloomington Herald-Times. I think anything short of saying Sampson has been fired was not going far enough.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FEB. 13, 2008

NCAA serves notice on IU of potential “major violations” in basketball recruiting

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. Indiana University today (Feb. 13) disclosed that it has received formal notice from the National Collegiate Athletic Association that allegations of potentially ‘major’ recruiting violations have been raised against men¹s basketball coach Kelvin Sampson and two assistants.

The five allegations were outlined in a letter to IU President Michael A. McRobbie from David Price, the NCAA’s vice president for enforcement. Also cited in the letter for alleged violations were assistant coach Jeff Meyer and former assistant coach Rob Senderoff.

Many of the allegations are based on two self-reports of impermissible telephone calls the university filed with the NCAA in October. The university and three individuals cited were all given until May 8 to file formal written responses. The NCAA’s Committee on Infractions will consider the responses during its June 14 meeting in Seattle, Wash., and then decide if the allegations are substantiated and if penalties should be imposed beyond those that the university imposed on itself in October.

Those penalties included a second year of restrictions on recruit contacts tighter than is permitted by the NCAA, loss of a basketball scholarship for 2008-09, and Sampson voluntarily agreed to forego a $500,000 salary increase.

Responding for Indiana University, Athletics Director Rick Greenspan said IU is taking these new allegations by the NCAA very seriously. “We are extremely disappointed in these new allegations regarding Coach Sampson,” Greenspan said. “To say the least, we view these allegations with grave concern and will cooperate fully with the NCAA as they adjudicate these charges.” NCAA staff initiated a “preliminary inquiry” after IU notified it that the university’s own investigation had documented more than 100 impermissible telephone calls that were made to prospective student athletes during the 2006-07 season, some of which violated NCAA rules.

At the recommendation of attorneys from Ice Miller’s Collegiate Sports Practice in Indianapolis, the university reported some of the telephone calls as being secondary, or minor, violations in part because there was no evidence of “a purposeful plan to circumvent the sanctions.”

After reviewing IU’s self-report and conducting additional interviews with people not associated with Indiana University, the NCAA has categorized the allegations as potential “major violations” of its rules.

The NCAA staff interviewed several potential recruits and their family members who for a variety of reasons had been unavailable to talk to IU’s investigating staff or who could not be reached at the time.

[wade moore]

This incident makes me wonder what I have wondered in the past - at what point will the NCAA be willing/able to levy more punishment on coaches? Sampson does this at Oklahoma, leaves, and Oklahoma is left holding the ball. Now the same will happen at IU. Yeah, he loses his job, but that seems minor compared to what the University potentially goes through.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by wade moore

This incident makes me wonder what I have wondered in the past - at what point will the NCAA be willing/able to levy more punishment on coaches? Sampson does this at Oklahoma, leaves, and Oklahoma is left holding the ball. Now the same will happen at IU. Yeah, he loses his job, but that seems minor compared to what the University potentially goes through.

Each university is supposed to have a compliance department to make sure everything stays on the straight and narrow. They're just as responsible for letting it happen. Those phone records are available to look at by the university compliance staff. The staff likely took things for granted under Knight because he stayed within the rules. They're acutally have to do their job now.

Another good example is Roy Williams at Kansas. Over the course of a few years, the compliance staff shrunk to only one person because the university didn't bother to rehire new compliance staff when the old ones left. As a result, KU is on probation because they didn't properly monitor the situation and allowed rules to be broken.

[Kodos]

hxxp://iuhoosiers.cstv.com/genrel/021308aaa.html

NCAA Notifies Indiana Of Allegations Regarding Men's Basketball

Feb. 13, 2008

Bloomington, Indiana - Indiana University today (Feb. 13) disclosed that it has received formal notice from the National Collegiate Athletic Association that allegations of potentially "major" recruiting violations have been raised against men's basketball coach Kelvin Sampson and two assistants.

The five allegations were outlined in a letter to IU President Michael A. McRobbie from David Price, the NCAA's vice president for enforcement. Also cited in the letter for alleged violations were assistant coach Jeff Meyer and former assistant coach Rob Senderoff.

Many of the allegations are based on two self-reports of impermissible telephone calls the university filed with the NCAA in October.

The university and three individuals cited were all given until May 8 to file formal written responses. The NCAA's Committee on Infractions will consider the responses during its June 14 meeting in Seattle, Wash., and then decide if the allegations are substantiated and if penalties should be imposed beyond those that the university imposed on itself in October.

Those penalties included a second year of restrictions on recruit contacts tighter than is permitted by the NCAA, loss of a basketball scholarship for 2008-09, and Sampson voluntarily agreed to forego a $500,000 salary increase. Responding for Indiana University, Athletics Director Rick Greenspan said IU is taking these new allegations by the NCAA very seriously.

"We are extremely disappointed in these new allegations regarding Coach Sampson," Greenspan said. "To say the least, we view these allegations with grave concern and will cooperate fully with the NCAA as they adjudicate these charges."

NCAA staff initiated a "preliminary inquiry" after IU notified it that the university's own investigation had documented more than 100 impermissible telephone calls that were made to prospective student athletes during the 2006-07 season, some of which violated NCAA rules.

At the recommendation of attorneys from Ice Miller's Collegiate Sports Practice in Indianapolis, the university reported some of the telephone calls as being secondary, or minor, violations in part because there was no evidence of "a purposeful plan to circumvent the sanctions."

After reviewing IU's self-report and conducting additional interviews with people not associated with Indiana University, the NCAA has categorized the allegations as potential "major violations" of its rules.

The NCAA staff interviewed several potential recruits and their family members who for a variety of reasons had been unavailable to talk to IU's investigating staff or who could not be reached at the time.

The specific allegations cited in the NCAA letter are:

1. That Sampson, Meyer and Senderoff failed to comply with sanctions imposed on Sampson for impermissible recruiting calls he made while he was a coach at Oklahoma. Those sanctions followed Sampson to IU when he came here in May of 2006. Sampson and Senderoff are alleged to have jointly participated in telephone calls at a time when Sampson was prohibited from being present or taking part when staff members made recruiting calls. Senderoff and Meyer are alleged to have made about 100 calls that exceeded the sanction limits. Senderoff resigned his position Oct. 30.

2. That Senderoff and Meyer placed "at least 25 telephone calls" to nine potential recruits that exceeded NCAA limits even if no sanctions had been in place.

3. That Sampson "acted contrary to the NCAA principles of ethical conduct when he knowingly violated recruiting restrictions imposed by the NCAA Committee on Infractions," and that he "failed to deport himself in accordance with the generally recognized high standard of honesty normally associated with the conduct and administration of intercollegiate athletics by providing the institution and the NCAA enforcement staff false or misleading information," and that he "failed to promote an atmosphere for compliance within the men's basketball program and failed to monitor the activities regarding compliance of one or more of his assistant coaches."

4. That Senderoff "acted contrary to the NCAA principles of ethical conduct when he knowingly violated recruiting restrictions imposed by the NCAA Committee on Infractions," and that he "failed to deport himself in accordance with the generally recognized high standard of honesty normally associated with the conduct and administration of intercollegiate athletics by providing the institution false or misleading information."

5. That Sampson and Meyer engaged in an impermissible recruiting contact during a two-day sports camp held at Assembly Hall on June 30 and July 1, 2007, and that Meyer provided the potential recruit with an impermissible benefit - at least one T-shirt and drawstring backpack.



Here's a PDF of the allegations:

hxxp://iuhoosiers.cstv.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/ind/genrel/auto_pdf/allegations

[panerd]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

Each university is supposed to have a compliance department to make sure everything stays on the straight and narrow. They're just as responsible for letting it happen. Those phone records are available to look at by the university compliance staff. The staff likely took things for granted under Knight because he stayed within the rules. They're acutally have to do their job now.

Another good example is Roy Williams at Kansas. Over the course of a few years, the compliance staff shrunk to only one person because the university didn't bother to rehire new compliance staff when the old ones left. As a result, KU is on probation because they didn't properly monitor the situation and allowed rules to be broken.

But weren't they self reported by Indiana? I agree that this is more of an institutional thing and more than Sampson are probably involved. But like Wade said what happens is Sampson finds another job, the people thrown under the bus don't, and basically the athletes and fans of the program ultimately get screwed.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by panerd

But weren't they self reported by Indiana? I agree that this is more of an institutional thing and more than Sampson are probably involved. But like Wade said what happens is Sampson finds another job, the people thrown under the bus don't, and basically the athletes and fans of the program ultimately get screwed.

Kansas was self reported as well. Roy had already left for North Carolina. Self reporting is much like a guilty plea in court. However, if the violations are blatent enough, if doesn't matter if you self report. The program is still going to get hammered for letting it happen.

[st.cronin]

Stupid Indiana.

[Drake]

Am I the only IU guy who would love to have Dan Dakich as coach? God, he was an incredible dork as a player, but I love his hard-nosed, defense-first style.

Or in the same mold, I wonder what Michael Lewis is doing these days...

[Drake]

Ping: st. cronin

Suck it.

ETA: Holy fuck, dude! You have almost 14,000 posts!

[Johnny93g]

Very dissapointing to see all this. Coach Sampson needs to be fired. It really hurts because this year's team could go far.

[Johnny93g]

Originally Posted by hoopsguy

Sampson - now there is a coach that is all class. I learned that last week.

Worry about the class of your own coach. 3rd Big Ten win the other night. Congrats!!!

[Logan]

If this gets Devin Ebanks to come back to Rutgers, I'll be pretty happy.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by Logan

If this gets Devin Ebanks to come back to Rutgers, I'll be pretty happy.

As a Mizzou fan, I'm excited about it as well for recruiting purposes. DeMarcus Cousins, a top 5 player in the class of 2009, is down to Indiana, Mizzou and UAB. With Indiana out because of NCAA violations, Mizzou would be in a two horse race to land one of the best players in the class of 2009. I'm rooting for the NCAA to lay the hammer to Indiana.

[Logan]

Ebanks joining us for 08 would give the class a Top 25 ranking, I assume. Mike Rosario (McD's AA) is a stud, and pairing him with Ebanks would be huge. Even if Sampson isn't fired (which is why Ebanks would leave), I don't think the NCAA would allow him to go there since he was at the center of many of the illegal calls. I don't know for sure, but I read that is how it could play out.

[Balldog]

Originally Posted by Drake

Am I the only IU guy who would love to have Dan Dakich as coach? God, he was an incredible dork as a player, but I love his hard-nosed, defense-first style.

Did you miss the last three years when he ran the BGSU program into the ground?

[Drake]

Word on campus today (among the admin staff) is that the university is in negotiations with Sampson to mutually terminate his contract, possibly as early as tomorrow.

[Kodos]

That's what I read on the Scout boards. Hopefully, this time tomorrow he will be history.

[Drake]

I make no claims about the reliability of my sources. Our administrators, just like administrators everywhere, always want to believe that they're more in the loop than they actually are.

Needless to say, the good ol' boy network has been on fire today as folks try to needle information out of one another.

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

As a Mizzou fan, I'm excited about it as well for recruiting purposes. DeMarcus Cousins, a top 5 player in the class of 2009, is down to Indiana, Mizzou and UAB. With Indiana out because of NCAA violations, Mizzou would be in a two horse race to land one of the best players in the class of 2009. I'm rooting for the NCAA to lay the hammer to Indiana.

I always assumed Cousins was a lock for Kentucky

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

I always assumed Cousins was a lock for Kentucky

Kentucky is currently listed as 'low' interest. Last I heard he's not even considering them. Cousins was initially considered a big lean to UAB because Mike Anderson had recruited him for some time there. With Anderson now at Mizzou, Cousins is considering Mizzou because of the coach, but I think he's still leaning towards UAB because it's close to home. Indiana was another consideration, but the probation likely will kill that interest.

[Drake]

Indiana Avenue between Third and Fourth streets will be closed from 2-4:30 p.m. today to accommodate TV satellite trucks in town for coverage of Michael McRobbie's 3 p.m. press conference.

After 4:30, one lane of traffic will be open on Indiana and IUPD officers will direct traffic.

Earlier:

Indiana University President Michael McRobbie will conduct a news conference at 3 p.m. today to announce his response to the NCAA’s “notice of allegations” against Indiana men’s basketball coach Kelvin Sampson.

Following his statement, McRobbie will take questions.

According to the Hoosier Scoop blog, “It appears unlikely that Kelvin Sampson will address the media today, as was originally planned.”

The news conference will be held at the IU School of Law’s moot courtroom.

This news just broke locally. I assume this is to announce that Sampson will be stepping down.

[Balldog]

I hope to hear that Sampson is stepping down and Isiah Thomas has been announced as the new head coach for Indiana.

Go Bucks!

[Drake]

Originally Posted by Balldog

I hope to hear that Sampson is stepping down and Isiah Thomas has been announced as the new head coach for Indiana.

Go Bucks!

Hahaha!

I would very likely have to shoot myself in the face if that happened.

[Kodos]

According to Scout, there will be a seven day investigation, with a recommendation expected by next Friday. I can't believe this guy hasn't been fired yet. I am close to giving up on IU basketball... Do the right thing, guys. Fire the bum. Stop dragging things out.

[mckerney]

Originally Posted by Balldog

I hope to hear that Sampson is stepping down and Isiah Thomas has been announced as the new head coach for Indiana.

Go Bucks!

How 'bout Randy Wittman?

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Kodos

According to Scout, there will be a seven day investigation, with a recommendation expected by next Friday. I can't believe this guy hasn't been fired yet. I am close to giving up on IU basketball... Do the right thing, guys. Fire the bum. Stop dragging things out.

While I rarely hear things of value on ESPN radio, I heard something that made sense during my lunch break. Ohio State screwed themselves when they fired their coach without due process which cost them millions of dollars. This investigation could save Indiana a large amount of money, although at a cost of the hit to their reputation at least temporarily.

[Balldog]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

While I rarely hear things of value on ESPN radio, I heard something that made sense during my lunch break. Ohio State screwed themselves when they fired their coach without due process which cost them millions of dollars. This investigation could save Indiana a large amount of money, although at a cost of the hit to their reputation at least temporarily.

To be honest, that was the best thing that happened to Ohio State (getting rid of O'Brien). I'm sure the money was recovered during last year's tournament run. Thad Matta has been a blessing.

[st.cronin]

Originally Posted by Balldog

I hope to hear that Sampson is stepping down and Isiah Thomas has been announced as the new head coach for Indiana.

Go Bucks!

That would be delightful.

[watravaler]

Hypo: Indiana keeps Sampson on board with the intention of firing him after the season. They make it to the final four, will the fans still be calling for his head? Do fans hold winning in higher esteem than ethics? I know what most people will say, but I believe otherwise...