OSU Update: Additional Allegations, LOIC Possible (Updated)

Submitted by Max on

NCAA:

[...]

I also mentioned in my email to you that no additional allegations had been made by the staff. Please note that since that email, an amended notice of allegations containing one additional violation related to the first allegation was issued to the involved parties.

 

[...]

On Monday, the enforcement staff conducted another call with institutional officials and determined that it is possible to move forward with the August 12 hearing while acknowledging the additional review is necessary. At this point in the inquiry, the available evidence does not warrant additional allegations; however, the investigation remains open. As a result, the staff and institution agreed not to postpone the currently scheduled hearing date of August 12 while we finalize the investigation of the remaining open issues. The institution understands and agrees that additional allegations may result from the ongoing inquiry and that the violations set forth in the current notice of allegations may form the partial basis for a failure to monitor of lack of institutional control when viewed in light of any additional violations. The institution also understands that if new violations are discovered, a second hearing may be necessary.

[...] the continuing investigation could potentially lead to additional allegations involving Mr. Tressel.

Popular opinion on twitter seems to be that the additional allegation explicitely mentioned in the letter is the addition of Dorian Bell to the list of players wrongdoing.  However, the letter makes it clear that this additional violation is not necessarily exhaustive of the potential additional allegations.

But you can't have one without the other. Gene Smith's spin:

We are aware of a letter that the NCAA enforcement staff sent to the Committee on Infractions nearly a month ago detailing the status of this case. The NCAA staff concluded that the evidence at this time does not warrant additional allegations and that our joint review of any remaining items did not necessitate a delay to today’s hearing. We now look forward to working together so that we can conclude this follow-up work as quickly as possible.

2014

August 12th, 2011 at 3:44 PM ^

As much as I hate to agree with Dennis Dodd, I think he has the right take on this:

http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270202/31276219

"Ohio State AD Gene Smith said, "evidence at this time does not warrant additional allegations ..." The key phrase being "at this time". The biggest news of Friday is that the investigation is not over. The NCAA letter confirms two reports earlier this week that the NCAA was still looking into Ohio State wrongdoing.



A source familiar with the process explained it this way: The parties agreed to deal with what was on the table to this point and went through with Friday's hearing. Usually, that is the final step before penalties are applied approximately eight weeks later. However, there is still a chance Ohio State could be called before the committee for a second hearing."

 

Wendyk5

August 12th, 2011 at 1:53 PM ^

Unless you want to explode in a fit of rage, do not read the comments on the ESPN story. I did, and I'm now trying to bring down my blood pressure using deep breathing and a variety of complicated yoga positions. 

Razorsedge02

August 12th, 2011 at 9:53 PM ^

I don't know some of them are pretty damn funny. I was reading one where these idiots where bragging about the Nobel Peace Prize winner from O$U (because they clearly played football) when the reply was posted.

 

 

charlie.crowe Another famed student: Jeffery Dahmer.

I nearly peed my pants laughing

COB

August 12th, 2011 at 1:50 PM ^

hoping "Ellis" is bringing undeniable proof to the table should also be eagerly awaiting the "checks with pryor's name on them that the NCAA already has" that SbB reported on.  Call me skeptical anything of substance will come from that meeting. 

Belisarius

August 12th, 2011 at 1:50 PM ^

Nah. The NCAA is well aware that their credibility is on the line. It's to the point where I would expect them to magnify a weak case against OSU. For more than a year the parade of corruption and abuse scandals has undermined NCAA football. Think about OSU's first line of defense is "Everybody DOES it." Worse, all the teams getting caught are high-profile teams who have competed in national championships (OSU, Auburn, Oregon) in recent years, or at least for conference championships (Georgia Tech, North Carolina- expected to compete until entire first string was benched). People believe the problem is endemic. And popular opinion is so thoroughly against OSU, if teh NCAA lets them off light (to public perception) it will constitute a major blow to the idea that the NCAA is in control

I was saying it when the story seemed to be OSU would get off light, and I'm saying it now: OSU will not get off with a slap on the wrist.

karpodiem

August 12th, 2011 at 2:12 PM ^

I typically go with the 'the truth is somewhere in in the middle', but with this case, one of two things will happen -

1) OSU gets off free, there is such an uproar that systemic change to the NCAA occurs or

2) OSU gets hammered to the wall.

 

The NCAA moves at a glacial pace, so 2 looks more likely than 1.

teldar

August 12th, 2011 at 2:14 PM ^

U r using logic and reason. The NCAA is involved. That is not appropriate. Even though all you say is true, I'll believe it when I see it. After today, I still think osu gets off easy. Hopefully not, but it looks like the ncaa it's bending over backwards to ignore all the really good stuff re: osu.

Belisarius

August 12th, 2011 at 2:28 PM ^

Here's the thing...O.K., people do sometimes act completely against their own self-interest. It does happen. Usually these people are very stupid or raving lunatics. Sometimes both.

Now, and I know there are those who disagree, but I don't believe the NCAA is stupid. Not for a minute. Inconsistent, sure, but they've had the luxury where they can be inconsistent to serve their own interests. And it HAS been in their interest to do what they've done in the past: play deaf and dumb as often as is possible.

The NCAA's prosperity is inexorably tied to football. What's good for football is good for them. National brands are good for football, and for them. Hurting national brands is BAAAD. Creating the appearance that college football is dirty is BAAAAAADDDD. So they've done their best to let teams do what they want with the appearance of propriety...allowing the creation of revenue generating juggernauts like OSU and USC, and even Oregon; because Chip Kelly had a dream you could turn any team into national contenders if you just BELIEVE...and, you know, pay money to shady folk. That's why when the NCAA does do something, a la SMU, it's usually because the media or other parties have exposed the dirt to the light of day. Then the NCAA swoops in, pretends to fix things, and tells everyone what an abberation this was. I mean, SMU was dirty, but are we expected to believe the entire SouthWestern Conference wasn't paying players? As a former Texan, I tell you NO! SMU was just better at it, so much so that it got obvious.

The problem is, the genie is out of the bottle. The cover up is over, and now the NCAA has to prove there is actually a sherrif in town. Before their self interest was in being a toothless hound, burying secrets where they could not be found. Now they have to show some teeth, because they have a legitimate perception problem. The NCAA is NOT a private, for profit institution. Their existance is actually on the line. Count on them to know it.

Belisarius

August 12th, 2011 at 3:18 PM ^

I accept that I could be wrong. maybe the NCAA has gone all "Hitler in his bunker" on us. Maybe this new jabber is just so people take their efforts more seriously while getting to the same lukewarm result. History is on your side. I just don't think that history is a good bellwether here, because the landscape has changed. College football has never been under this level of scrutiny.

So yes, you may well be right. This is a test of how delusional the NCAA is. I am interested to find out.

TIMMMAAY

August 12th, 2011 at 7:49 PM ^

But I don't think you're giving enough weight to the personal relationships (there are several) involved across the table in this situation. Both Tressel, and Gee have close ties to members of NCAA enforcement staff that are directly involved in this case. That I think, is the biggest problem here.

foreverbluemaize

August 12th, 2011 at 10:06 PM ^

I do not know all of the details in the GT case but what I do know is that 1 player received just over $300 and the NCAA hammered them. To my knowledge (and again I don't know all of the facts so if I am wrong please let me know)  there were no other players that were wrapped up in this and the HC did not know. They handed out this punishment knowing that the case with tsio was coming up. My thinking is that they cannot hammer GT without also hammering more severely the school with more severe violations. I also heard from very unofficial sources that USC has plans to sue the NCAA if tsio does not get at least the same punishment that they did. Not sure if there is anything to that but it does make sense.

Njia

August 13th, 2011 at 8:26 AM ^

Credibility with whom? With fans? The NCAA doesn't care about it's credibility with fans. That's not in their charter.

The NCAA exists to serve the member institutions (i.e. the universities) by providing governance and a set of ground rules for intercollegiate athletics. But it is formed from and staffed by those same institutions. As such, its chief function is to serve those members' interests which, given the current and apparently growing list of scandals, is for the money to keep rolling in, baby.*

These allegations have occurred at some of the most successful programs of the past decade, and those that have attempted to join the elite. For me, it serves as nothing more than further evidence that the NCAA understands only too well that it's unstated (but universally understood) function is to provide the appearance of legitimacy.

*And always remember the Cardinal Rule In All Things: "When someone tells you that what they're doing it isn't about the money, it's always about the money."

Darth Wolverine

August 12th, 2011 at 2:03 PM ^

We won't really know for sure for weeks though, right? Didn't they say that it could take up to twelve weeks to determine the punishment?

In reply to by Darth Wolverine

Belisarius

August 12th, 2011 at 2:13 PM ^

Oh, yeah, we're not going to know until well into the season. But look on the bright side, this keeps the pall over OSU's program. If we're lucky, maybe it will even help certain recruits, maybe even committed ones sitting on the fence, see the writing on the wall and come over to the side of right.

Don

August 12th, 2011 at 2:31 PM ^

That august body of nutless nincompoops is guilty until proven competent, and competence requires action against Auburn and OSU for starters.

BiSB

August 12th, 2011 at 2:32 PM ^

As a Michigan fan, this is probably the best case scenario.  From a recruiting standpoint, the best thing for us is uncertainty in OSU's future.  Players are less likely to commit to a program that might be behammered.  Big name coaches are less likely to sign on to coach a team that might be primed for a spanking. Penalties are bad for OSU, but lingering uncertainty is worse.

The fact that the NCAA literally said "we might tack on a LOIC or Failure to Monitor charge" is muy bueno.

Solar Bob

August 12th, 2011 at 2:41 PM ^

I want to believe that the line about lack of institutional control is foreshadowing things to come, but it sounds more like a bureaucratic organization reserving the right to use the current charges in a hypothetical later case, like points on a drivers license.

michelin

August 12th, 2011 at 4:40 PM ^

People are still being interviewed by the NCAA.   Many questions remain, as noted in the OSU lantern link below. (see also the BSD article) 



IMO, It’s not over.

Far from over.

Buckle up.

 

http://www.thelantern.com/spor...state-1.2547505

 

http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2011/8/11/2356714/ ncaa-ohio-state-buckeyes-investigation-infractions -compliance-enforcement-retreat

BrickTop

August 12th, 2011 at 2:44 PM ^

uncertainty is the worst possible environment for tsio to be in. Uncertainty is worse than most penaties would be to their program. Their program is basically stalled out until these are resolved and public opinion of what might happen to them is the primary driver.

SDCran

August 12th, 2011 at 2:55 PM ^

Today went exactly as expected.  The NCAA sent OSU that letter last month saying 'so it sounds like you agree with what we acused you of?  Good.  We haven't found anything additional related to these charges, so next month's meeting should be pretty quick.'...which it was. 

I haven't anything over the past several weeks that makes me think they won't get what they self-imposed plus 5 scholarships for 2 years (double the infraction of playing 5 ineligible players for 1 year), plus a longer probabtion period. That falls right in line with NCAA precedent.  There is always a penalty to the individual who did something:  JT fired/quit/retired, players get their 5 games.  The mandatory vacating of games.  Then there is the punitive penalty of double the advantage you got:  5 scholies for 2 years, with the potential of a bowl ban which would fit here, but seems unlikely.

Based on the current findings, why wouldn't it be that?  (I get that they could increase it based on the repeat violator status, but...)

 

Solar Bob

August 12th, 2011 at 3:25 PM ^

I was expecting the Tatgate to result in tressel getting show-claused and vacated wins; basically what tsio self imposed. After the car thing came out and all the reports on tressel's history, it still feels like a disappointment.

BucksfanXC

August 12th, 2011 at 5:05 PM ^

I think you have hit the nail on the head here. I hope rational members of opposing fans bases can realize that we have been hit hard: we lost our coach, our starting QB, vacated an entire season (including the elusive SEC bowl win), tons of money, and suspended 5 starters for five games of this season. Maybe not as hard as ESPN and the media had led everyone to believe we deserve to be hit, but still.

dahblue

August 12th, 2011 at 6:24 PM ^

Really?

You didn't "lose your coach".  Your coach (who lied more than all the rugs in Persia) "retired" and received money on his way out the door.

Your starting QB violated too many NCAA rules to count.

You "vacated" wins, but does anyone care?  No.  The games still took place.

You didn't pay "tons of money".  You, just today, agreed to give up $300K.

You suspended 5 starters.  Those 5 starters played an entire season while ineligible.

When your AD ceases the practice of written compliance evaluations, you deserve to be severely punished.  I don't care so much about the kids (who, frankly, seem to be idiots) and their tattoos.  It's the adults - Tressel, Smith and Gee - who've shamed your school.  All three should have been fired.  You're going to lose scholarships.  You're going to get a bowl ban.  Tressel will never coach again.

dbun

August 12th, 2011 at 3:11 PM ^

I love how everyone here flips out when nothing happened today as expected just like we claim OSU fans did when allegations were made.  OVER EMO! 

michelin

August 12th, 2011 at 5:22 PM ^

Some bucks are claiming (based on the NCAA letter date) that Forde's initial article about the meaning of the letter was untrue. 

But, Ford now confirms, directly from the NCAA, that the investigation is ongoing.

 

espn4d Pat Forde

 
http://twitter.com/#!/espn4d



MESSAGE: Wrong date, right letter. As reported earlier this week Enforcement Dept says OSU investigation is ongoing

elaydin

August 12th, 2011 at 5:48 PM ^

Forde wasn't totally correct, mostly because I don't think he understands how the process works.  This was not a new NOA or NOI as he implied.  In fact, some of what's in the note has already been mentioned in the summary judgement (Tat5 becoming Tat6).

He was right that there was a letter.  He had the recipient and the content wrong.  

chrs5mr

August 12th, 2011 at 6:47 PM ^

You never heard or saw a paper trail in the USC case, yet they got hammered.  You have one here and nothing is happening.

My favorite:  NCAA deciding there's no 'Failure to Monitor' charge; Tressel had written evaluations rating him as 'Unacceptable' years ago....so now that all of this has hit, shouldn't that be a 'Failure to Monitor' since they knew his performance was 'Unacceptable'?!?

The NCAA is all talk and if I'm USC, I'm looking at options against them.

rymgoblue11

August 12th, 2011 at 8:44 PM ^

They let the guilty parties play in a bowl game last year. It should be an eye for an eye this year. Bowl Ban. O$U made a joke of the NCAA/Big Ten last Bowl Season. Although, this is all about money, isnt it?

rymgoblue11

August 12th, 2011 at 8:44 PM ^

They let the guilty parties play in a bowl game last year. It should be an eye for an eye this year. Bowl Ban. O$U made a joke of the NCAA/Big Ten last Bowl Season. Although, this is all about money, isnt it?

rymgoblue11

August 12th, 2011 at 8:44 PM ^

They let the guilty parties play in a bowl game last year. It should be an eye for an eye this year. Bowl Ban. O$U made a joke of the NCAA/Big Ten last Bowl Season. Although, this is all about money, isnt it?