SB Nation User Blog: Dirk Diggler

ASU Baseball accused of major NCAA violations

Dirk Diggler — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:03:58 -0000

I think we know why Pat Murphy was fired now....

Even the dreaded "lack of institutional control" phrase is dropped. This could get ugly -- and not just for the baseball program.

A portion of the notice obtained by The Republic shows that ASU is being accused of at least nine violations. A key one is that the university lacks "institutional control."

"It is alleged that the institution violated the principles of institutional control in that it failed to ensure adequate systems to monitor for compliance and provide adequate NCAA rules education involving the baseball program and student athletes," the NCAA stated on Page 15 of its notice.

The notice refers to infractions involving telephone-recruiting violations, impermissible coaching activities, employment of student athletes and relationships with outside contractors. The partial report contained few details.

ASU President Michael Crow and Lisa Love, vice president for athletics, declined to comment on the allegations.

"ASU is working with the NCAA on an investigation of the university's baseball program involving allegations of infractions of NCAA legislation," ASU spokesman Virgil Renzulli said in an e-mail Wednesday.

"This is an ongoing process, and we do not currently have an estimate for the completion of the effort and the release of results," Renzulli wrote.

Murphy also declined to comment on the allegations, on the advice of his attorneys.

"It is very frustrating that I am unable to set the record straight and state my side of the story," he said Wednesday.

If the NCAA finds a major violation occurred, it would be ASU's ninth such case since 1953, more than any other school in the country. ASU is now tied for violations with Southern Methodist University in Texas, which was given the "death penalty" by the NCAA in the 1980s when it banned the football program from competing for three years.

In November 2005, the NCAA put ASU on two years of probation for a lack of institutional control and impermissible financial aid. That case involved former football player Loren Wade receiving improper benefits from an athletic-department employee.

The NCAA also found that 61 athletes received impermissible financial aid from 2002 to 2004 and that athletes were improperly given books to sell for personal gain.

Penalties for a repeat case of lack of institutional control could include a prohibition of competition, including some or all postseason games. Penalties also could result in elimination of scholarships and recruiting restrictions in baseball.

Outside of baseball, the university could face multiyear probation, suspension or termination of staff and ASU officials being banned from NCAA leadership positions for up to four years.

ASU Baseball accused of major NCAA violations

Dirk Diggler — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:03:08 -0000

ASU Baseball accused of major NCAA violations

I think we know why Pat Murphy was fired. As a former Sun Devils, most of the stuff they allege is not shocking at all -- I saw some of this go on when I worked for the football team.

ASU fires Offensive Coordinator Rich Olson

Dirk Diggler — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:05:04 -0000

Link to article

Arizona State is in the market for a new offensive coordinator.

Dennis Erickson said Thursday that he is not bringing Rich Olson back for a fourth season, the first coordinator-level change since Erickson became head coach in 2007. The move comes after a second consecutive losing season, the first of Erickson college career, in which ASU was 90th or below nationally in total, rushing and scoring offense.

2 words: Thank God

So let the speculation begin on the new OC....

Andy Staples on why the Pac 10 needs a new TV deal

Dirk Diggler — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:06:54 -0000

Andy Staples on why the Pac 10 needs a new TV deal

Couldn't agree more. I hate the ABC regional crap since I live out of state.

Sullivan Out, Brock In

Dirk Diggler — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:03:36 -0000

Link to story

Arizona State quarterback Danny Sullivan will not play at No. 13 Oregon on Saturday because of a biceps injury that prevented him from practicing this week.

The senior will travel with the team, coach Dennis Erickson said Thursday, to provide sideline support for Brock Osweiler, a true freshman making his first start, and sophomore backup Samson Szakacsy.

As happy as I am about Brock getting an opportunity -- I'm not very optimistic about his first start coming at Autzen.

Jeffcoat still has ASU on his list

Dirk Diggler — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:14:40 -0000

At 6 foot 5 inches, 230 pounds, Jeffcoat has drawn comparisons to such greats as Julius Peppers with his lean, long body and athleticism.

And a few weeks ago, as first reported in The Dallas Morning News, Jeffcoat narrowed his college choices down to six schools with signing day coming on Feb. 3. While many athletes choose to commit early, Jeffcoat is likely to wait right up until signing day or even until the day itself to reveal the lucky school.

Jeffcoat's list now reads as follows: Arizona State, Florida, Houston, Oklahoma, Texas and USC.

Reads like a wishlist of schools for potential college players to go, with the exception of one -- Houston.

But the Cougars are on the rise under head coach Mike Sumlin, and oh yeah, there's one more thing, Papa Jim is an assistant coach under Sumlin. If the Cougars were to land Jeffcoat it would be one of the greatest recruiting coups of all time.

Article on Jeffcoat

Nolan considering joining Greenberg's bid for Rangers

Dirk Diggler — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:36:35 -0000

http://www.star-telegram.com/local/story/1635429.html

http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090924&content_id=7133582&vkey=news_tex&fext=.jsp&c_id=tex

via texas.rangers.mlb.com

That would be a good thing IMO. I keep having this feeling like "be careful what you wish for" when thinking about new ownership. But, I think Nolan would be able to keep "the plan" going. This should probably be a fanshot, but I'm already too far into it to switch.

For all you Rudy lovers/haters

Dirk Diggler — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:07:08 -0000

Rudy Carpenter is going to get alot of playing time in the Cowboys/Vikings game tomorrow night. I figured most on here will revel in the chance to watch him fail, so there's your chance. He doesn't have a very good shot of making the roster, but a spot on the practice squad could be a possibility.

I imagine Andrew Walter will get a lot of playing time for the Pats this weekend too.

ESPN Mag: How Nolan Ryan Remade the Rangers

Dirk Diggler — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:35:08 -0000

ESPN Mag: How Nolan Ryan Remade the Rangers

It's insider, but a pretty good article..

There's also a CJ Wilson video diary which is going to be a recurring entry on insider...

Check it out

Tim Kurkian The Countdown to 100 pitches

Dirk Diggler — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 20:20:41 -0000

Tim Kurkian The Countdown to 100 pitches

Thought this was interesting given the talk about Nolan bringing the heat around here