The Indianapolis Star has obtained the details of the five major violations the NCAA is alleging against the Indiana basketball program, and here's my nickel summary: Indiana should fire head men's basketball coach Kelvin Sampson.The NCAA says Sampson knowingly violated the telephone recruiting restrictions that were placed on him as a result of his previous rules violations, and he then lied about it. The NCAA wrote to Indiana's president that Sampson "failed to deport himself ... with the generally recognized high standard of honesty" and "failed to promote an atmosphere for compliance within the men's basketball program."
That in and of itself is enough to fire Sampson, especially considering that his contract makes a firing completely justifiable. The Star reports on details of Sampson's contract:
if IU fires him for "just cause" it would owe him nothing beyond his regular compensation through that month. Among the definitions of "just cause" in Sampson's contract is "a significant, intentional, repetitive violation of any law, rule (or) regulation" of the NCAA.Sampson signed that contract, and then knowingly broke NCAA rules. It's time to fire him.
Another definition is "Failure to maintain an environment in which the coaching staff complies with NCAA ... regulations."
The contract says IU is allowed to use its "sole judgment" to determine if Sampson's conduct "reflects adversely upon the university and its athletic program."
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
2-13-2008 @ 1:45PM
Kevin said...
While we are at it, fire that good for nothing A.D. Greenspan. He is the reason we have the cheater now.
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2-13-2008 @ 1:50PM
Bob said...
Makes you kind of sorry that IU got rid of Bob Knight - He has still consistantly turned out better men from his program than Kelvin Sampson could ever hope to achieve.....sorry state of affairs when your University has kneejerk reactions to something that provides more character to a young man. Well, The General is available - perhaps IU should reconsider him for a few years.
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2-13-2008 @ 2:04PM
Devon said...
Who wants to throw the first stone? Let's wait until the 90 day response is given by the university.
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2-13-2008 @ 2:35PM
SHARON BARGER said...
Sampson should not have been hired. It was an embarrasment at the time and now the university and the basketball program will get slammed. You may or may not agree with Coach Knight's "personality" but what he did for the basketball program and the university is fact. Maybe he knew something we didn't know but it would be great to have him back and clean up this mess.
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2-13-2008 @ 3:58PM
Ernie Broglio said...
He should never have been hired by IU. WE are justifiably proud of Hoosier basketball...It was a known fact that this man was a cheater, a dirtbag in fact, BEFORE he was hired. Shoe some courage...if he is guilty agai, DUMP HIM!
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2-13-2008 @ 4:16PM
hexter said...
If you hire a known crook, you get a crook!
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2-13-2008 @ 4:28PM
john said...
Clean that dumpster called Bloomington up get rid of Greenspan and Sampson.
They should have hired Alford who is the best coach for the job besides a guy named Robert Mongomery Knight (who just happens to be unemployeed).
If Knight or Alford where there money would not be an issue for the cash strapped university. When you cheat and condone cheating you have no where to go except down the drain.
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2-13-2008 @ 4:39PM
R. McDonough said...
Illinois officials actually apologized for the way their fans treated the visiting team recently. Imagine. Apologizing for calling a cheater a cheater. Hmm. Something isn't right here.
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2-13-2008 @ 5:04PM
KAS said...
IU's Athletic program has never been the same since Myles Brand was at IU & got rid of Bobby Knight. He never had any violations & 99% graduation rate of his players. Kind of ironic he just retired from Texas Tech-wish they could get him back but he'd probably laugh in their face as sure he is laughing now. IU lost many alumni when they let go of Bobby! No more blue shirts w/red ties-dumb concept anyway! How dumb can you be to make 100 calls & you didn't know you were on a 3-way call-how can that be? Sampson do you think we are as dumb as you are? Once a cheater always a cheater-what were you thinking IU? I hope they can at least go to the NCAA tournament as sure last yr. for Gordon & they lose White to the pros. Sincerely, '85 B.S. Hoosier grad
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2-13-2008 @ 5:47PM
whmikels said...
Good job, IU. Got rid of the coach with the most wins in Div. I history who had no violations, one of the highest graduation rates in Div. I and won 3 titles. Real smart move in firing Knight and then hiring Davis (who won mainly with Knight players and recruits) and now hiring a known violator in Sampson. Can you say good-bye, Sampson!!!
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2-13-2008 @ 6:20PM
Eddie said...
Hell yes Fire him and while you're at it Fire the person responsible for Hiring. What a stupid decision.
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2-13-2008 @ 6:21PM
Eddie said...
I hear Bobby Knight is available!
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2-13-2008 @ 7:16PM
rstone4181 said...
Bobby Knight never had NCAA violations.
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2-13-2008 @ 7:33PM
Ken Adams said...
Fire both the coach and the AD, For the 1st time in 40 years as an avid Hoosier fan and alum..I'm disgusted and embarrassed.
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2-13-2008 @ 7:37PM
Joe said...
I.U.'s rival up North...Purdue has proved that you can recruit clean, recruit a top 10 national class and WIN at the same time. Matt Painter has got nothing but praise from Recruits, Recruits parents and fellow coaches about the way he goes about recruiting the RIGHT WAY! It all starts at the top and right now, Greespan (A.D.) and Sampson need to be let go. I am surprised that I.U.'s fans and alumni have let the ship go down with these 2 guys at the helm.
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2-13-2008 @ 8:30PM
bmf said...
Let's see,Kelvin has no integrity or honor,just like his recruit.They deserve each other.I wonder if Kelvin's folks and Eric's folks went to the same school of honor,integrity and class?
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2-13-2008 @ 8:38PM
JAS said...
Agree with most of the above. There should be no tolerance for this at Indiana University. Both Sampson and Greenspan should be fired.
Let's leave our student athletes (eg Eric Gordon) out of this discussion please.
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2-13-2008 @ 10:02PM
Bob said...
Sampson has got to go. Indiana is having a great year, but I'm sure it has nothing to do with stupid decisions by Sampson. Indiana is known for playing with in the rules. I ran track at I.U. and they made us practically memorize the NCAA rule book. This is a shame. But Sampson has to go and then the University can move on.
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2-13-2008 @ 10:55PM
kevin johnson said...
I agree with what most of you folks are saying but the IU should've hired Steve Alford. He was not well liked at Iowa, for too many reasons to rattle off, but he backed a scum bag in Pierre Pierce. He teated people poorly there and tried to coerce players to move with him. The Hoosiers, need and deserve a good, solid and reputable coach. I'm not going to back a particular coach at this time but Indiana basketball has stood for something good for a long time. Oh and by the way I'm an Illinois fan. I grew up watching some great IU teams and respected your program back then. I am sure there are some more excellent coaches out there that can do the job and make IU fans proud once again.
good luck thru this situation. It stinks and isn't fun as a fan
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2-13-2008 @ 10:58PM
jhaystv said...
I had a really bad feeling when they hired Sampson. I grew up an IU fan and graduated from IU. I'm hopeful they will bring in a new coach and get the program headed in the right direction. They are havng a great season, but it will be tarnished due to the violations that Sampson seems to have a hard time avoiding.
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