NCAA sanctions Alabama, what does this mean for USC

The reason why the NCAA was so harsh on Alabama was due to the fact that they were a repeat offender and were already on probation. USC, on the other hand, is not a repeat offender and has not be punished officially by the NCAA recently.

If they are cleared of any wrong doing and that while they should have been more attentive, they had no knowledge of what was going on then I could see a similar punishment. Vacate wins, probation. if the NCAA finds that Caroll, Floyd or any assistant coaches knew what was going on and didn’t report anything then I expect postseason bans and scholarship reductions. The problem here is that there are a lot of allegations that could all be true or none could be true or who knows what. We don’t know what exactly USC will be found guilty of. How much the coaches knew will determine it all though, IMO.

. . . the football players involved were IMMEDIATELY SUSPENDED FROM ALL TEAM ACTIVITIES (5 players suspended, 2 others were also involved, but I’m unsure/forgot why they weren’t suspended) through 4-in season games after Alabama’s administrative offices self-reported to the NCAA when the textbook scandal was discovered to be going on. Dr. Robert Witt (UofA President) and AD- Mal Moore were swift and pro-active in digging in deep from the get go. Coach Saban wholeheartedly agreed with the suspensions, at least until the pertinent facts of those accused would/should determine their innocence or breadth of knowledge/involvement. Football players Antoine Caldwell, Glen Coffee, Marlon Davis, Marquis Johnson and Chris Rogers were suspended four games during the 2007 season. The players were later reinstated by the NCAA for the regular season finale against Auburn and the Independence Bowl against Colorado. (for what it’s worth: Antoine Caldwell – Round 3 – 77th Overall – Houston Texans; Glen Coffee – Round 3 – 74th Overall – San Fransisco 49ers; Marlon Davis RG -not selected in 2009 draft; Marquis Johnson & Chris Rogers DB’s are juniors and still on the team)

Pete Holiday at Roll Bama Roll offers a primer on the matter: "The reason the violations were so widespread [Bix note: was because many of the unintentional violations were caused by Alabama Bookstore staff bundling recommended materials (which are not permitted to be paid-for by the university) with required materials in the players’ book orders. The Athletic Department would send over class schedules, the bookstore staff would put the books into bags, and then the players would pick them up. It is likely that the players involved, even if they knew the rule about required/recommended books, had no idea that they had received recommended materials. They trusted the bookstore staff. "

[Bix note: here’s the foundation – again, from Pete Holiday] – "Alabama operates a “book loan” system for its athletes. What this means is that the athletes take the books for free at the beginning of the semester. At the end of the semester, they are required to either a) return the books or b) pay for the books. So even the athletes who borrowed thousands of dollars in books were not found to have profited in any way from it. To wit, from Mal Moore’s statement: “No players gained financially or otherwise; no competitive advantage was gained; all of the books were returned.”

[what UofA Compliance and AD investigations discovered] "The investigation began, per UA documents, when a UA Supply Store employee noticed questionable textbook charges in excess of $1,600 for scholarship student-athletes and reported the matter. UA’s compliance staff later confirmed that student-athletes had “impermissible textbook charges in excess of $1,300 and $1,500 for the fall 2007 semester.”

[kleph at RBR puts the ruling in a nutshell] “The decision by the NCAA Infractions Committee concerning the improper distribution of textbooks by University of Alabama student-athletes was announced this afternoon. The penalties include three years probation, vacation of records, and a $43,900 fine. No scholarships {will be} were lost. A total of 201 student athletes from 16 sports including football were involved and the total value of the improper benefits was $40,000. The committee found that 22 of the athletes receiving almost $22,000 in benefits who were aware they were impermissible.”

For all intents and purposes, the immediate action taken by Dr. Witt and AD Moore pretty much saved Alabama from suffering a more harsh penalty from the NCAA. The whole internal investigation was completely transparent, comprehensive, and quite efficient- all things considered. Prior to the NCAA finalizing their determinations and announcing their ruling, the Tide faithful were understandably worried about being hit with a severe punishment- and most thought the NCAA was gonna show little mercy given the previous violations of the past 1/4 century. They were almost resigned to quite possibly losing scholarships and being banned post-season play ON TOP of vacating wins and paying a stiff fine.

The post-reaction by RBR-regulars [again, from kleph’s write-up] shows the class and self-awareness of the majority of the Bama faithful. I’m sure we all have our own opinions on the Crimson Tide (historically), Nick Saban (in specific), and their fans (in general)- but allow me to say this: Never, in a million years- if you took the time to visit the state of Alabama and befriended a ‘bammer’, would you guess how sincerely warm, hospitable, knowledgeable, and respectful these people truly are. Yes, they’re in the South. No, they are in no way (for the most part) simple-minded rednecks (that a Barner- Auburn for you) who hate everything north of the Mason-Dixon, west of the Mississippi, and south in to the Teboner-state of Florida. They’re a fine group of men, a hilariously beautiful group of women, and a notoriously comical group of fans! (picture this: Alabama = USC; Auburn = fUcla; just compare/contrast on SBNation: Track Em Tigers and Roll Bama Roll. . .you’ll totally pick up what I’m putting down)

My thoughts: They got no more, and no less than what they deserved. It could have been a total fiasco (you know how they are in the SEC, they BLEED football and have their epitaphs inscribed with their teams logo). The University of Alabama operated impeccably and with due diligence. They submitted quickly, dealt with it comprehensively, and cooperated without condition.

They set a great example for all universities to emulate and strive for in matters concerning violating the NCAA charter. Proud, I am for the entire Crimson Tide faculty and faithful.

He’s the only Bruin-favoring Tider I truly know, and that’s not saying much because I don’t truly know him all that well. (likes: Monster Chef and chick-flicks, Fanta soda and Hank Jr., blondes and youTube; dislikes: everything and everybody ’cept his girlfriend and Brian @ M Go blog)

Besides, he’s a tweener and open to takin’ walks on the Dark Side. (who are you referring to ParaSC? i fancy a wee bit ’o gossip on fridays. . . .just saying)

Id say you guys should brace for harsher penalties. Though we were in the “Repeat Violator” window, students making some cash on the side off their textbooks, can’t really be compared to paying players. And as an Alabama fan, i think we understand the difference.

Ill admit im not the most knowledgeable person on the USC saga, but if the Bush issue turns out to be true and add the basketball thing to it, id expect USC to get hit with vacated wins, loss of schollys and post season ban.

Buts that just my opinion.