Just agree to disagree. An investigation absolutely IS a penalty. Contending otherwise is asinine and just shows that we're too far apart on it to reach any kind of middle ground.
I'd love for you to explain to anyone that's ever been investigated for anything -- even if/when they were eventually even found innocent -- that they were not penalized...
Jesus Christ. An investigation is not a penalty. For you to say otherwise is one of the dumbest things ever posted on this board, and that's a significant accomplishment. An investigation is process undertaken to determine if an infraction was committed. A penalty is punishment for an infraction found during an investigation and proven through corroborated evidence. Investigations aren't pleasant, but they are part of the process, not the end game.
Let's say a man kills someone in a DUI accident. He's indicted, bankrupted by legal fees, loses his job, his wife divorces him because she's sick of his drinking, and his life is basically in the toilet. Then at the trial, the jury comes back with a guilty plea. Do you think they'll give him three months in jail and a $500 fine just because the investigative process was penalty enough? No, his *** is going to jail, because if you do the crime, you do the time.
All that said, the investigation was long and contentious only because Ole Miss stonewalled, concealed, and sandbagged. It took two years longer than it needed to, and it became a big news story because of how they colluded with media to hide the investigation or misrepresent the significance of it. A more open and cooperative process, with true "exemplary cooperation" would have resulted in a much quicker investigation, and likely a less significant case. So my point still stands....Ole Miss is in the toilet because of Ole Miss and not because of the penalties doled out by the NCAA. They deserve at least double of what they got in penalties from the NCAA.