Here is my take on the Memphis booster situation...
There are 3 allegations that OM is digging their heals in and working to try and change the narrative on.
One is the Memphis situation. The other two involve Kiffin and Nix.
Why these 3? Because these 3 involve current assistants and the new structure within the NCAA constitutes that the head coach cannot claim ignorance in these situations.
"A head coach is presumed responsible for major/Level I and Level II violations (e.g. academic fraud, recruiting inducements) occurring within his or her program unless the coach can show that he or she promoted an atmosphere of compliance and monitored his or her staff."
If Freeze has to fire them, he will be staring right into the face of the new rule that head coaches will be held directly responsible for violations that their assistants commit. Just what does the new rule mean and what does that mean for Freeze? Who knows; but OM sure as hell doesn’t want to take the chance on finding out.
1) Memphis booster - Walter Hughes came out pubilcly,
http://djournal.com/sports/memphis-booster-tells-side-story/ trying to save Maurice Harris. Claiming that Harris was "blindsided" (there's that word again), and shouldn't be punished because of his (Hughes) actions. Bottom line. Hughes is falling on the sword to save Harris, thus in turn possibly saving Freeze.
The NCAA tied Harris in the allegation due to him knowing of the involvement of Hughes with the prospects and facilitating the involvement of Hughes with the prospects on numerous occasions. Hughes was the booster who tagged along with Freeze on the visit with the prospect, along with numerous, and when I say numerous, I’m talking a lot of impermissible benefits from rides to and from Oxford; tickets, a hotel room and a plane ride to an OM bowl game; cell phone bills being paid for prospect and his mother, etc., etc.
The NCAA gave this violation a Level 1 classification. This is where the “rogue booster” term came from in OM’s response. OM is playing this as Hughes being the FCA volunteer that helps “all” athletes, and went out on his own without OM’s knowledge that he was providing illegal inducements.
As you can see, if Harris is implicated in this violation, it could lead to his dismissal. Which is not good for Freeze.
2) Kiffin – Allegations against Kiffin involve providing lodging to prospects and their parents/acquaintances on what looked like 5-6 occasions. Also alleged with impermissible, off-campus recruiting contact with prospective athletes. Some of the lodging incidents (when he let prospects stay at his house) and off campus contact are Level 3 offenses. OM agreed to these since they weren’t Level 1 or 2. One of the lodging incidents was classified as a Level 2 offense. This is where he put them up at The Inn (a hotel on the OM campus). OM agreed that this occurred, but is trying to get the NCAA to reclassify as a Level 3 violation. Again, if Kiffin’s violation stays at a Level 2, which is considered a “Significant Breach of Conduct”, it may lead to his dismissal, which in turn puts Freeze in the cross-hairs.
3) Nix – Nix is tied in to the Ed Center scandal where OM had the “Preacher” get involved in providing lodging, transportation and meals to the 6 prospects trying to get eligible. OM agreed that this took place, but is trying to get the NCAA to reclassify from a Level 1 to a Level 2 classification.
Again, if assistants are implicated to have committed Level 1 violations, their employment will most likely have to be terminated. Especially if by chance they should get a showcause. It will be hard for OM to justify keeping assistants around who commit Level 1 violations. But then again, you have seen Freeze hedge on this just yesterday, so time will tell. And if their employment is terminated, then Mr. Freeze’s employment will then become in jeopardy.
