OT: Agent Gate Just got Worse for UNC: NCAA focuses on UNC coach

Submitted by maizenbluenc on

My NC State neighbor just told me the NCAA is expanding the UNC Agentgate investigations. They are finding that an assistant coach may be tied to the agent in question.

Reached by phone last week, Wichard - an NFL agent and longtime acquaintance of Blake's based in California - would not comment about his relationship with Blake because he said Blake is "involved" in the investigation at UNC.

This could get really ugly. Especially if this kicks the door wide open and the NCAA expands to the holy grail.

MGoBoard
Football
UNC
NCAA Violations
agents

gater

August 10th, 2010 at 9:14 PM ^

I heard that earlier, this could get bad for them.  Hopefully they can get this figured out, punish accordingly, and move on (probably with a new coaching staff).

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 4178

MGoShoe

August 10th, 2010 at 9:22 PM ^

...discussing John Blake yesterday:

“Let me just say this: When you’ve been in coaching as long as I have, we know the reputation of almost all the coaches out there that have been around a long time,” Spurrier told The (Columbia) State newspaper. “So I guess what I would say is that article’s not very surprising. That’s about the least I should say about it. We all have a reputation, especially guys who’ve coached 20 years or so. It’s hard to hide whatever your reputation is.”

The Old Ball Coach isn't a fan. 

South Carolina has its own Agentgate issue:

NCAA investigators will return to Columbia this week as part of their ongoing probe into possible illegal activity between sports agents and college football players, two sources told The State on Tuesday.

NCAA officials met with South Carolina tight end Weslye Saunders last month about whether the senior from Durham, N.C., engaged in any impermissible dealings with agents.

Investigators are expected to speak with Saunders again, perhaps as early as today, according to one of the sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. It is not clear whether any other USC athletes or officials will be questioned.

Joined: 04/23/2009

MGoPoints: 20734

maizenbluenc

August 11th, 2010 at 7:36 AM ^

You got it. My NC State neighbor is really hoping it expands to UNC hoops. And yeah, if they tie it to a coach, one with a known history of foul play, then I suspect the Lack of Institutional Control flag may come out of the pocket.

Hoops at UNC is like Football at Michigan. Football at UNC is that other sport that people get excited about when they are winning (not often lately but improving so excitement is in the air) but otherwise it's just something to pass the time until basketball season.

Other than actually having a decent engineering school (UNC does not), the NC State - UNC relationship is a pretty good analogy to Sparty and us. Duke is UNC's primary rivalry. NC State doesn't like being secondary, and football is where they win more frequently. The big difference is all three schools are within 30 minutes of each other.

Thus my Wolfpack neighbor is enjoying watching the investigation expand.

Joined: 07/21/2009

MGoPoints: 10630

KBLOW

August 10th, 2010 at 10:39 PM ^

Well, sucks to be them.  

I'm honestly at a point right now where I'm happy Agent-gate is getting bigger in hopes that it either takes attention away from our own "major" infractions or focuses attention on how serious the difference is between what UNC did and what we did.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 22546

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

August 10th, 2010 at 11:34 PM ^

If half of what's out there about John Blake - AKA Black Santa - is true, it's completely baffling that UNC would hire him at all.  Maybe his chickens have finally come home to roost; at a minimum, he has got to be blackballed from the NCAA.

Joined: 07/02/2008

MGoPoints: 41586

maizenbluenc

August 11th, 2010 at 7:34 AM ^

I am surprised they haven't fired him yet. I guess the lawyers see the Leach - Texas Tech lawsuit and are advising not to move until the investigation turns up enough evidence.

My neighbor says they all (Wolfpack fans) knew something was up when 9 guys that could have gone pro stayed. I am assuming they play the nine players in question at the risk of vacating wins later.

On the outside, it is a shame because the Heels were on the rise, and it would be nice if the ACC had enough good teams that leaving the TV on to watch a compelling ACC matchup now and then would be worthwhile.

Joined: 07/21/2009

MGoPoints: 10630

Sven_Da_M

August 11th, 2010 at 10:59 AM ^

... this stuff sure makes a few extra practices and missing forms look like child's play.

I expect (hope?) that this is just the beginning of a massive NCAA violations shit-storm that's going to engulf the SEC and the ACC. 

It couldn't happen to a more smug group of slimeballs.  If it could possibly extend to Urban Meyer, I would be a happy, happy man.  What a thug...

 

 

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 2165