SB Nation User Blog: birdjam

Calipari? Cheat? You don't say!

birdjam — Thu, 28 May 2009 01:22:25 -0000

Calipari? Cheat? You don't say!

O/U on how long before he gets Kentucky put on probation?

It's-Past-Your-Bedtime-Update: A Sea of Blue reports that an official UK release says that Calipari was notified by the NCAA that he is not at risk of being charged with any NCAA violations. Stay tuned... [Note by Will, 1:38 AM EDT]

UPI: NCAA moves fast on Kentucky

birdjam — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:23:33 -0000

NCAA MOVES FAST ON KENTUCKY

LEXINGTON, Ky., April 1, 2009 (UPI) -- The NCAA announced today that it has placed the University of Kentucky on four years pre-emptive probation for anticipated major recruiting violations to be committed by incoming head basketball coach John Calipari. Reports were confirmed on March 31 that the school had hired Calipari, formerly head coach at Memphis, to replace ousted coach Billy Gillispie. The NCAA’s decision was announced in a statement released today by the NCAA Infractions Committee, the ultimate decision-making body in the Division I enforcement process.

In addition to probation, the Southeastern Conference school was hit with reduced scholarships and future wins were vacated, the Committee said in the release. The school was also asked to take down all of the national championship banners for 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 the school had already hung in Rupp Arena, where the Wildcats play their home games.

"We realize this is an unprecedented action, but when a coach so legendary for illegal recruiting is hired by a school that has proven repeatedly that it is willing to break any rule, law, or standard of human decency in pursuit of basketball success, major recruiting violations are virtually certain to follow," the Committee’s statement said. “The Committee believes that placing the school on probation now will save time and money that would necessarily be spent on a lengthy investigation.”

UK issued a statement saying school officials were "disappointed" that the NCAA Committee on Infractions had found that violations were “virtually certain” and the school plans to appeal the NCAA’s decision.

NCAA president Myles Brand could not be reached for comment. Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhardt told reporters that he “[did not want to] personally comment until the appeals process runs its course, but we plan to vigorously fight this decision.”

Re: Kiffin, Mort just reported...

birdjam — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:27:23 -0000

Re: Kiffin, Mort just reported...

Chris Mortensen just said on ESPN that sources have confirmed that Lane is bringing Monte with him. He also said that the UTAD checked with Peyton Manning before offering the job to Kiffin and Peyton gave his blessing.

Guns 'N Coaches

birdjam — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:45:28 -0000

I have decided that UT's next football coach is like Chinese Democracy. They will hopefully be unveiled to the public at approximately the same time. A lot of people have been waiting for both since the early to mid-'90s, and due to the long wait and unrealistic expectations (Cowher?!? Gruden?!?), both will be considered major disappointments by most of the fanbase regardless of how good they may actually turn out to be.

"You know where you are?!?! You in Knoxville, baby! You're gonna diiiiiiiiiiiiiii-e!!!!!!!!!"

Fulmer steps down

birdjam — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:15:45 -0000

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3679810

Phillip Fulmer, who a decade ago brought Tennessee its first national championship in 47 years, will not return as the Vols' coach next year, multiple sources told ESPN.com.

An announcement is being planned for later Monday at Neyland Stadium. The Vols (3-6, 1-5 SEC) have lost four straight games and are in danger of suffering their second losing season in the last four years. Fulmer, who's won 150 games at his alma mater and is the dean of SEC coaches, met with Tennessee officials Monday morning, and they reached a mutual agreement that it would be best for all parties if Fulmer was not back next season. There had been increasing scrutiny on Fulmer, who took over full time as head coach in 1993 and has been at his alma mater as a player, assistant coach and head coach for more than 30 years. The Vols won the national title in 1998 and were one of the top programs in all of college football in the 1990s, but the program hasn't been the same this decade. They've lost 31 games since the end of the 2001 season. Chris Low covers the SEC for ESPN.com.