Former Mississippi State Booster Accused Of Paying Players

Byron De'Vinner Details Alleged Recruitment Violations By Mississippi State Booster

Byron De'Vinner, a 7-on-7 coach in Memphis, has become the center of a firestorm surrounding the Mississippi St. Bulldogs and the alleged actions of a former booster.

Earlier this week, De'Vinner joined Head-to-Head Radio and spilled the beans on Mississippi State's recruitment of freshman defensive back Will Redmond in an effort to "clear his name." During the interview, De'Vinner told the hosts that he saw a booster give Redmond a handshake that included about $200:

"Will Redmond is a kid that was basically taken advantage of by a booster and by an assistant coach," De'Vinner said on the radio show.

De'Vinner also reportedly told ESPN.com's Joe Schad that the same booster, Robert Denton Herring, had provided or attempted to provide benefits to other players:

"Denton was trying his hardest to get Frank Herron, a 2013 recruit, to come to Mississippi State," De'Vinner said. "He asked me to call his mom and say if he committed to State he could get her a better job. He also told me if Brandon Hill, who did not qualify at Alabama, committed to State, he could get him eligible because of a Mississippi State booster that was a counselor in his school. It comes back to pimping kids. And I wouldn't do it."

However, De'Vinner has since denied talking to Schad on the record:

Byron De'Vinner texted me earlier this evening, saying Joe "Schad is lying" and "I never went on the record with him."

— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) September 13, 2012

De'Vinner has talked to NCAA investigators and laid out what he knows to Yahoo! Sports' Pat Forde, as well. De'Vinner has also said that the NCAA is looking into the recruitment of at least one other as-yet-unidentified Memphis-area player.

For more on Bulldogs football, visit Mississippi State blog For Whom The Cowbell Tolls, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

Ex-Mississippi State WR Coach Knew Of Improper Benefits For Freshman, According To Report

Former Mississippi State wide receiver coach Angelo Mirando was allegedly aware that a player received improper benefits from a MSU booster, according to a report from the Clarion Ledger.

Byron De'Vinner, a 7-on-7 football coach , said he witnessed a booster give MSU freshman Will Redmond money and said Mirando was aware of the improper benefits. De'Vinner made the claim while appearing on the Head to Head radio show on Tuesday.

"Will Redmond is a kid that was basically taken advantage of by a booster and by an assistant coach," De'Vinner said during the radio appearance, accodring to the Clarion Ledger.

Mirando resigned on August 19 due to recruiting irregularities which resulted in an NCAA investigation. The current NCAA investigation is reportedly a result of a car Redmond received but De'Vinner denied the claim a booster purchased a car for Redmond.

For more on Bulldogs football, visit Mississippi State blog For Whom The Cowbell Tolls, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

Mississippi State Booster Booted For Breaking NCAA Rule

A Mississippi State booster has been disassociated from the university after he had improper contact with a recruit and possibly committed other NCAA violations, according to Brandon Marcello of The Clarion-Ledger.

The booster was contacted repeatedly by Mississippi State's compliance department to talk with NCAA investigators about the alleged violations, but he never replied to those requests.

Former Mississippi State wide receivers coach Angelo Mirando resigned on Aug 19 due to recruiting irregularities stemming from an NCAA investigation. Former Minnesota head coach Tim Brewster has reportedly taken over the position.

The booster will not be allowed to donate money to the university's athletic programs or be given any privileges not available to the public. The booster 's name was redacted by Mississippi State in three documents that the university released as part of an open records request.

For more on Bulldogs football, visit Mississippi State blog For Whom The Cowbell Tolls, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

Mississippi State NCAA Investigation Reportedly Tied To Car For Player

An NCAA investigation into a Mississippi State "potential recruiting irregularity" is tied to a car for Bulldogs defensive back Will Redmond, reports The Dispatch out of Columbus, Miss.

A Ford Mustang was purchased before Redmond signed with the Bulldogs in February from a used car dealership in Redmond's hometown of Memphis, Tenn. Joe Schad of ESPN reported the investigation is tied to former MSU receivers coach Angela Mirando, who abruptly resigned last week over cited personal reasons. A report that his resignation was the result of a possible NCAA violation surfaced Thursday.

MSU officials released a brief statement, in part saying the school "over the last several months has worked in cooperation with the NCAA to examine a potential recruiting irregularity."

For more on Bulldogs football, visit Mississippi State blog For Whom The Cowbell Tolls, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

Mississippi State Confirms NCAA 'Recruiting Irregularity' Investigation

Former Mississippi State receivers coach Angelo Mirando cited "personal issues" when he surprisingly stepped down just weeks before the beginning of the season after working for Dan Mullen for four years. Now, following a report that Mirando's resignation was due to a NCAA investigation into his recruitment of "at least one" current player, the school has confirmed something or other.

(No, this almost certainly has nothing to do with Cam Newton. Just getting that out of the way.)

Via Brandon Marcello of the Clarion-Ledger:

Over the last several months, Mississippi State has worked in cooperation with the NCAA to examine a potential recruiting irregularity. We are nearing the end of this examination, and it is our intent to provide additional details when it is complete.

So with the Miami and Oregon scandals winding down, might we have another one spring up out of nowhere to take their place? I don't know. It's probably nothing really all that major, but we've learned to be surprised by nothing at this point.

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For more on Bulldogs football, visit Mississippi State blog For Whom The Cowbell Tolls, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.

Mississippi State WR Coach Quit Due To NCAA Investigation, According To Report

The abrupt resignation of a Mississippi State assistant coach was not due to publicly stated "personal reasons," but rather a NCAA investigation, according to ESPN:

Former Miss St WR coach Angelo Mirando resigned in wake of ongoing NCAA investigation into his recruitment of at least one Bulldogs player

— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) August 23, 2012

Mirando had been with head coach Dan Mullen since joining the Florida staff as a graduate assistant while Mullen was offensive coordinator in 2008. He came with Mullen to Starkville, and was promoted to wide receivers coach in 2011 when Mark Hudspeth left that position to become the head coach at Louisiana-Lafayette. Former Minnesota head coach Tim Brewster is expected to be announced as Mirando's replacement.

Mirando resigned August 19, just 13 days before MSU opens their season against Jackson State, citing "unforeseen personal reasons" in a statement released by the university:

"I have enjoyed my time at Mississippi State as a graduate assistant and as an assistant coach. I have made friends that will last a lifetime; however, due to unforeseen personal issues, I believe it is in my best interest to resign from Mississippi State," Mirando said in a statement released by the school. "I want to stress that these issues are personal. I look forward to pursuing other opportunities in the future. Finally, I want to thank my friend and mentor Dan Mullen for giving me this chance."

Mullen did not comment further on the departure of Mirando, nor the circumstances regarding his leaving the team.

For more on Mississippi State football, be sure to check out Team Speed Kills and For Whom The Cowbell Tolls.

Tim Brewster To Make Starkville A Little More Golden

Mississippi State Wide Receivers Coach Angelo Mirando Resigns

Mississippi State wide receivers coach Angelo Mirando has resigned for personal reasons, the school announced Sunday night.