Trojan Turmoil

After a period of more than four years, an investigation into USC's football and basketball programs will apparently come to an ugly end. According to the Los Angeles Times, the penalties against the football program will be severe. The university had already imposed its own sanctions against the basketball program. A press release will come forth today from the university, and the university will have 15 days to appeal the NCAA's findings should that process be pursued.

USC had already self-sanctioned the basketball program from the Tim Floyd era and the happenings of O.J. Mayo (illegal gifts, cash and benefits). But USC and athletic director Mike Garrett chose to fight the charges against the football program, and now, we all know why.

With reports swirling that Nebraska is leaving the Big 12 for the Big Ten and that six other Big 12 teams are jumping ship for the PAC 10, it's about one thing...money, and lots of it, too. I heard that for last season, the North Carolina mens basketball program (the most profitable in the nation) made a little less that $16 million for the season. The University of Texas football team made that...in two home games. I wish I could remember wher I heard that because that blew me away. Two freakin' games?!?! Don't tell me that money isn't ruling here.

That will prove to be the bigger Achilles heel for the Trojans. Their greed, and maybe even a bit of pride.

Bush in his USC days.
Will he keep his Heisman?

The investigation began back in 2006 when it was alleged that the mother, brother and stepfather of Reggie Bush were occupying a house in the San Diego area. That house was owned by an individual that wanted to eventually represent Bush when Bush turned pro. That "transaction" in itself became a mess all on its own.

Here's what the Trojans are potentially facing:

• loss of more than 20 scholarships
• vacating wins from at least the 2004 season(USC won the BCS title)
• 2 year ban from bowl games
• ban from TV
• recruiting restrictions
• probation

I wonder if Lane Kiffin is wishing he'd stayed in Knoxville.

Two more issues can be brought to light here. One is Reggie Bush's Heisman and the other is the BCS Championship won by USC, who we are now being informed, used an ineligible player (Bush).

What about that Heisman? The Heisman Trust is undoubtedly following this situation carefully. I was listening to ESPN's Joe Schad yesterday. He's a voter for the Heisman and he made reference that it says on the ballot something to the effect that the players must conform to NCAA rules and regulations. If Bush has been ruled ineligible, by all rights, the Heisman could be taken from Bush.

The question is, would it happen? This is very delicate ground here. If Bush is stripped of his Heisman, a door will open that can never be shut. The Trust will be able retroactively strip any previous Heisman winner of the honor. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it's a move that really does need to be treated with kid gloves. The honor and prestige of being a Heisman winner and that reputation are all at stake. And this is solely in the hands of the Heisman Trust and NOT the NCAA.

The BCS title is on less shaky ground, in my opinion, but not a safe bet by any means. Again, if Bush is ruled ineligible and the team is forced to vacate wins from that season, the BCS could rule to strip the Trojans of the championship. One thing to keep in mind here. The NCAA has no control on this either. It's totally up to the BCS.

I'm really wondering if anyone that is still at Southern Cal is going to be held accountable. The main "culprits" are gone: Mayo, Bush, Floyd, Carroll. When Floyd resigned last year, he cited AD Mike Garrett as his reason for leaving due to lack of support.

That's the one constant left from all the mess, Garrett.

Just thinking out loud here....

Update: The NCAA released a statement regarding the penalties administered to USC. Among the highlights are:

• Four years probation
• Two year post season ban for football
• One year post season ban for men's basketball (self-imposed)
• Beginning in from December 2004, vacating all wins in all football games in which the ineligible football student-athlete participated including any and all postseason games
• Beginning with the 2007-2008 regular season, vacating all wins in all basketball games in which an ineligible student-athlete participated including any and all postseason games (self-imposed)
• From November, 2006 to My 2009, vacating all wins in all women's tennis matches in which an ineligible student-athlete participated including any and all postseason events (self-imposed)
• A reduction of a total of 30 (10 per season) scholarships within the football program
• A reduction of men's basketball scholarships from 13 to 12 for a two year period (self-imposed)
• A reduction of recruiting days from 130 to 110 for the men's basketball program (self-imposed)
• Disassociation of the former football student-athlete, the former men's basketball student-athlete and the representative who provided extra benefits to the former men's basketball student-athlete. This disassociation includes the refusal of any financial or recruiting assistance, as well as other conditions, which the public report further details.
• Prohibition of all non-university personnel, including boosters, from traveling on football and men's basketball charters; attending football and men's basketball team practices; attending or participating in any way with university football and men's basketball camps, including donation of funds; and having access to the sidelines and locker rooms for football and men's basketball games.

Strange how all the original allegations outside the football program led to self-imposed sanctions against the men's hoops and women's tennis program. What I find even more disturbing is that all of the penalties levied are due to one student-athlete in each program. Three student-athletes thinking of only themselves led to this debacle.

Meanwhile, USC AD Mike Garrett has an odd take on the penalties doled out against the Trojans programs.

"As I read the decision by the NCAA, all I could get out of all of this was ... I read between the lines, and there was nothing but a lot of envy, and they wish they all were Trojans."

I'm sure the NCAA will love hearing this. That will look great when Garrett and his other USC cronies go into the appeal of the penalties against USC. Also, Garrett made this statement while addressing boosters at a function that was scheduled before the announcement.

What's even funnier is that Garrett sacrificed the men's hoops and women's tennis programs in hopes of saving the football program from any harm. The NCAA did agree to the self-imposed sanctions, but it also levied penalties against the football program because Garrett refused to set his ego and little program aside for the long-term betterment of the football program. If Garrett had done so from the beginning, things may have turned out better. - SE