Yet another Auburn allegation might again amount to little
Those waiting for someone to take the crystal from Nick Fairley shouldn't hold thy breath. (AP photo)
The SEC breaks down thusly: There’s Auburn, which is feeling good about itself, and there are fans of the 11 other schools who are convinced the Tigers’ BCS title was ill-gotten. For Auburn folks, shrugging off the latest report of wrongdoing has become standard operating procedure. For fans of those 11 other schools, any new nugget offers yet another reason to shout, “See? Told you!”
Fans of the other 11, here’s your latest cue.
SportsByBrooks reported Tuesday that former player Stanley McClover has told “HBO Real Sports” that he received money while enrolled at Auburn from a Tiger assistant coach. (SBB doesn’t name the assistant coach but says McClover will. SBB also notes the assistant coach no longer works at Auburn.)
This wouldn’t seem to endanger the 2010 BCS title, given that McClover left Auburn in January 2006. Cam Newton was in high school, and coach Gene Chizik had just helped Texas win the 2005 BCS title as defensive coordinator. And there’s ordinarily a four-year NCAA statute of limitations. But SBB believes a pay-for-play charge “may leave the door open for the NCAA to pursue an allegation made after the standard four-year period has expired.”
Then again, we were just given cause to see that the NCAA’s punitive power can be rather puny. Jim Calhoun, the winner of two national championships, was slapped by the NCAA for “failing to create an atmosphere of compliance.” Put more simply, the UConn Huskies broke various recruiting rules (regarding phone calls, text messages and inducements) and the Hall of Fame coach stood benignly by. This would seem a huge deal, would it not?
UConn’s penalty: Some lost scholarships, some recruiting restrictions, a three-game suspension for Calhoun in Big East play next season … but no ban on postseason play.
And get this: Calhoun was upset by the severity of the penalty.
Sometimes we regard the NCAA investigative crew as the Scotland Yard of sports, but something has to drop in its lap — the UConn investigation was spawned by a Yahoo! Sports report — for the hounds to be loosed. And even then the NCAA is often unable to find concrete evidence. (That’s because wrongdoers are pretty good at concealing their tracks, and the NCAA lacks subpoena power over private citizens.)
Bruce Pearl lied to NCAA investigators and is still coaching Tennessee basketball. Yes, he was suspended eight league games by the SEC — the conference-wide joke was that Mike Slive had to make somebody pay for Cecil Newton’s sins — but he’s still employed. Calhoun has to sit out three games, but he gets to keep coaching his program and taking it to NCAA tournaments.
For all the smoke in collegiate sports – has there ever been more smoke than there was surrounding Auburn in November? — the NCAA doesn’t often find a three-alarm fire. (Remember, Georgia received no postseason ban from the NCAA after its investigation into the Harricks and Tony Cole.) Even as they look forward to the day when something is made to stick against Auburn, fans of those 11 other schools need to know this:
There’s a chance nothing ever will stick. (There’s also the chance Auburn did nothing wrong.) There’s a chance — a pretty good one — that 2015 will arrive and the Tigers will still be 2010 national champs.
By Mark Bradley
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409 comments Add your comment
kral
February 22nd, 2011
10:29 pm
Thats 33% there tide rising…great percentage
I just wish Name Withheld would have withheld his posts.
February 22nd, 2011
10:33 pm
It is better to be thought an idiot than to post your drivel and remove all doubt.
Name Withheld
February 22nd, 2011
10:33 pm
Patrick,
The funny thing is that you state that Sports by Brooks is not a legitimate news gathering agency, the Alabama fans get all upset if Scarbinsky writes anything bad about the Tide, the Dawg fans get mad if Bradley, Schults, Chip or anyone in the AJC writes something not positive about UGA. Florida fans get mad if Pat Dooley writes negative articles about the gators.
Fans all react the same.
The funny thing about your post is that when The New York Times writes anything negative about Auburn many Auburn fans call it a vendetta. It is hard to have it both ways.
Either way there is just too much “stuff” surrounding the Auburn program and it all leads back to the “Banker” and his cronies.
Name Withheld
February 22nd, 2011
10:35 pm
Thank you….it means you have someone reading them to you.
Dawg Trapped in B'Ham
February 22nd, 2011
10:36 pm
UGASlobberknocker, I find it hard to believe that you’re a Dawg fan. Seems that you’ve made up several screen names and are just posting and agreeing with yourself as another screen name. Most SEC fans in-the-know believe that Auburn is has cheated multiple times and should be severely punished.
Name Withheld
February 22nd, 2011
10:36 pm
The real losers are the guys or gals who put another posters name into their blog handle.
Dawg Trapped in B'Ham
February 22nd, 2011
10:38 pm
“Bob The Dawg” and “UGASlobberknocker” are the same person.
UGASlobberknocker
February 22nd, 2011
10:38 pm
Georgia has 6 major infraction violations? When were they.? Ive been a Dwg fan since 1975..I can only remember two 1/Jan Kemp and 2/Jim Harrick. And the only time in that 35 yrs that UGA has had any kind of postseason ban was 2003 w/Harrick and that was self imposed.
What were the other 4?
Name Withheld
February 22nd, 2011
10:39 pm
Tennessee fans are the happy ones today. They get their official letter of inquiry and Auburn still takes the headlines again. The Vols caught a one day break.
bjohndawg
February 22nd, 2011
10:40 pm
I thought it was McLovin.
UGASlobberknocker
February 22nd, 2011
10:41 pm
You may think Im an idiot and you may not agree with me..but UGASlobberknocker is my only moniker..except occasionally i will sign in as “Mr. X’s” crack dealer is I think Mr. X posted something really stupid.
Name Withheld
February 22nd, 2011
10:41 pm
I am not sure about you guys, but I am ready for Spring Practice to start. Ready to see some new faces across the SEC in 2011 football season.
UGASlobberknocker
February 22nd, 2011
10:42 pm
And Bhm Dawg I have had season tickets to the Ga fgootball since 1975..I think that qualifies me as a fan.
UGASlobberknocker
February 22nd, 2011
10:42 pm
never heard of Bob the Dawg
UGASlobberknocker
February 22nd, 2011
10:44 pm
I have been to BHM many times though, so I can understand how living in that dump could make you a bitter person. Can you not get a job in Atlanta?
WDE
February 22nd, 2011
10:44 pm
We deny everything and the NCAA will never pin anything on us. We’ve still got’em in our pockets!
jc_atl
February 22nd, 2011
10:45 pm
I’d be surprised if Richt is around long enough to worry much about circling Auburn on the schedule. Never has a coach done so little with so much talent.
Bull
February 22nd, 2011
10:46 pm
Mark Bradley, you can’t honestly tell me you believe Auburn is innocent. I’d wager everything I own that Auburn is deeply involved in recruiting violations with its boosters, Chizik and Trooper Taylor. Hell, why do you think they hired Chizik in the first place and booted Tuberville. Chizik knows the Auburn/Pat Dye way of winning along with the Bobby Lowder type boosters.
Don’t believe what you hear…look no further than Vegas. They pay people to know the truth and betting influence on games…they closed on Auburn TWICE this past season.
Get your head out of the sand Bradley. Why can’t one of you guys do some investigative work and actually come up with credible news instead of spinning your false positive opinion articles. The truth is out there, go dig it up.
Prince of Alabama
February 22nd, 2011
10:47 pm
Will be 20 years until Gators win the SEC!
Vince "Thank You Herschel" Dooley
February 22nd, 2011
10:49 pm
MB, you did everything you could to get Cam out of the gave vs. uga, but it didn’t work and the dawgs got slapped mightily! And now you publish this allegation from 6 or 7 years ago? Don’t you think it’s time to Get Over IT & Give It Up!
WDE
February 22nd, 2011
10:51 pm
Cam Newton is an icon!
UGASlobberknocker
February 22nd, 2011
10:51 pm
Bhm Dawg..maybe the link below can help you find a job in Georgia
http://www.careerbuilder.com/
Nick Fairley hurt me
February 22nd, 2011
10:51 pm
Gravy Train, First, learn how to spell Chizik. Average coach and average team just won a national championship in two years where Richt won 0 in ten. With all the talent uga has you better start worrying what is wrong with your program instead of Auburn’s.
Nick Fairley hurt me
February 22nd, 2011
10:55 pm
Bull, the latest allegations are under Tub’s watch not Chizik’s. Oh yeah, Auburn is the National Champion, SEC Champs, Heisman winner, Lombardi winner, Coach of the year, Frank Broyles winner………you get the point.
WDE
February 22nd, 2011
10:55 pm
Bama has a statue of Bear and is building one of Saban. We’re building a statue of limitations.
UGASlobberknocker
February 22nd, 2011
10:58 pm
Im comment number 125, but WDE wins best post of the night
I wish I had thought of that statue of limitations line
washboard
February 22nd, 2011
11:01 pm
MARK BRADLEY your team lost get OVER IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bull
February 22nd, 2011
11:03 pm
There is one FACT that no Auburn fan can deny, this was by far the most controversial team in the modern/BCS era, period.
I don’t get it with the Auburn fans…how can they really feel comfortable about claiming to be champions. Right or wrong, they are just the fans of the school they follow….if it was me I would rather have won without the controversy and anxiety of waiting on the possible other shoe to drop at any point. When you have guys like Trooper Taylor, it would make me nervous. I sure as hell would not be overconfident
WDE
February 22nd, 2011
11:05 pm
I just hope none of these indicted people try to plea-bargain and start saying what they know about us! http://www.ibleedcrimsonred.com/
Bull
February 22nd, 2011
11:06 pm
Everyone knows that Chizik is a defensive coach. Auburn’s defense was nothing great this year, so why is he such a good coach? Malzahn deserves all the credit for the success. Mullen should have been coach of the year, look at what he’s done at MSU and what happened to Fla w/Meyer after he left.
Ted Striker
February 22nd, 2011
11:11 pm
Denver Dog in da house! Woot!
Vance Duuley
February 22nd, 2011
11:12 pm
Remember, Georgia received no postseason ban from the NCAA after its investigation into the Harricks and Tony Cole.
Nor for any of the crap that goes on at The Cesspool of the South.
UGA, proud winner of the Fulmer/Richt Cup.
Driggs
February 22nd, 2011
11:17 pm
UGASlobberknocker is sooooooo gay.
WDE
February 22nd, 2011
11:21 pm
Please note that for logistical purposes, the next meeting of the Auburn Board of Trustees will be held at the Birmingham City Jail.
Bull
February 22nd, 2011
11:26 pm
It should be noted that Chizick was the defensive coordinator at the time McClover was paid by an Auburn assistant coach.
There will be atomic bombs going off this summer with the Auburn football program. It would not surprise me one bit if they get the death penalty
Katherine
February 22nd, 2011
11:28 pm
ok…I get that poisoning those old trees wasn’t right…but the man can’t even get an attorney there…..really? He didn’t murder, rape, or steal people……I think it’s time to get a grip.
Tiger2004
February 22nd, 2011
11:42 pm
So Auburn has to be cheaters to beat the likes of UGA and UA. I don’t think so.
What MB fails to mention is that an Alabama player (Keys) makes allocations regarding the Tide also. as well as other SEC schools.This story will be an SEC beat down and Not an Auburn expo.
If I am not mistaking, this Tide player (Keys) was receiving extra benefits while the Tide was serving penalties. I don’t think a SOL applies in such a case. Bama has been been serving some kind of NCAA penalty for 15 years! I would be VERY CONCERNED if I was the UNI- VERSA- TAY!
What an idea!
If you really want to look into coruption (Mark), consider Bama coming off the 5 year repeat violator window and PRESTO becomes the cruit’n National Champions 3 out of the last 4 years. Jobs and houses for poor parents, Dodge Chargers for poor players. The list goes on and on, but Mark Bradley, SBB, Thayer Evans, Pete Thamel can only look into Auburn. Paaleeeeeasssssseee.
I really think the coruption lies with these so called journalist and the Criminal Tide and the REC.
This group of Bama Mafia invented cheating and has always pointed fingers when they don’t want the NCAA snoping around their own backyard.
In Auburn’s case, the Tide Nation could never deal with a strong Auburn and has always tried to tear them down with crap just like this. Only this time Auburn is just to strong to be brought down by this evil empire.
If the 15th and 5th best recruiting classes led Auburn from a 5-6 record (2008) to a 8-5 record (2009)then to a 14-0 and 2010 NC, then I would be concerned too. Tell me how can anyone spin this into a Cheating Scandle. Really? Unless you are a pathetic LOOOOOOOOOOSERS or are paid to print out right unsubstaniated rumors then there is no reason to keep these stories coming week in and week out.
Cam Newton is the greatest player to come through College football in a very long time and Auburn was fortunate enough to have Kenny Rogers run him off from MSU. If Cam found out that his father was having conversations with Kenny Rogers days after his three day recruiting weekend in Starkville, then he did not know or have knowledge he was being shopped. He sure as hell was not shopped too or paid by Auburn. If he was shopped to Auburn, he would have never player another down in college football.
It’s great to be on top! War Eagle Baby.
rtr
February 22nd, 2011
11:55 pm
Tiger 2004 you might be on top now but at the end of the day you are still an Auburn fan. I would rather be a GA Tech or UGA grad and lose every year than be an Auburn grad with a national championship. Pitiful school, pitiful town. I have never met an Auburn fan who didn’t have an inferiority complex.
Bull
February 23rd, 2011
12:07 am
Tiger2004, Bradley took it easy with this writeup on Auburn. If it had anything to do with UGA he and Shultz would be on a firestorm as always. Let’s get real here, there is huge concern for any Auburn football fan. Chizik is the trustee sock puppet and morphed that program into disgrace. Bama has it’s own issues as well, it’s just not as involved with the program as much as it is with them tuning out what the program boosters are doing behind the back.
Say what you will about Richt, but he’s actually doing things the right way and it’s very admirable in this day and age in the SEC and a long cry from the trouble we missed back in the Donnan days
DawgFan 2004
February 23rd, 2011
12:13 am
Even as a die-hard UGA fan, I have to admit Bradley is blatantly anti-Auburn. Perhaps Auburn is guilty & they’ll get what’s coming to them, but Bradley has always had something out for them. Sorry, just had to point that out. Glad he’s not a GT fan and as biased against UGA.
Auburn University is a joke
February 23rd, 2011
12:13 am
The incorrect spellings and ignorant comments by Tiger 2004 prove why Auburn is not respected as an educational institution. “allocations”…”mistaking”…”coruption”…”snoping”…
“Auburn just to strong”….”Cheating Scandle”…”substaniated”…”shopped too”..”never player”
One or two errors is understandable, but how could any college educated person make this many obvious errors? Auburn 2004 may have a National Championship, but he needs to ask for a refund on his education.
Swarles Barkley
February 23rd, 2011
12:15 am
If you speak with an Auburn fan about Cam Newton, they immediately get angry and defensive. Why? You would too if you knew UGA paid a star player to play for them and got away with it. Where there’s smoke there’s fire, and you could see the smoke rising over Auburn from your comfy seat in Sanford Stadium.
Bull
February 23rd, 2011
12:20 am
Tiger2004 I’d love to hear what bama conspiracies you have in response to the FACT that many of the Auburn board of trustees are under federal indictment and already preparing conditional plea agreements.
Swarles Barkley
February 23rd, 2011
12:23 am
Bama conspiracy theory:
Nick Saban is a big meanie. He’s not nice to Auburn. Alabama must cheat too since they won a championship. Also, something about recruiting. Yeah, they cheat at recruiting.
Bull
February 23rd, 2011
12:27 am
…and might I add, the FBI has already involved members such as John Bond (MSU qb/agent for scam newton) into the federal legal fray with these auburn boosters/trustees. Why are they involved in the subpoena process if they are not connected…the writing is on the wall… It’s all there, it’s all gonna happen this summer, just wait for the atomic bomb to hit
Swarles Barkley
February 23rd, 2011
12:30 am
Bull:
You are far more educated on the matter than any single Auburn fan I’ve heard speak about it. It’s unfortunate people can’t understand this stuff. They think that the NCAA letting Cam play more games meant everything was peachy in the city of Auburn. I’m with you – I’m waiting. The view of the atomic bomb should be good from Columbus, GA. Not too far away…
MikeP
February 23rd, 2011
12:31 am
Here’s an example of bammer (lack of) integrity, quoted from above: “The onus for the investigation was when both recruits returned from unofficial visits from AU with new I-phones and one was flashing a lot of cash at school.”
First off, the two were recruited in different years, Reed in ‘10, Robinson in ‘11.The original story, which has now been discredited, stated that one recruit had an iphone at school shortly after he returned from Auburn. Big whoop, iphones cost $19. All HS kids these days have their own phone. How much is “a wad of cash”? 20 ones? Yet this bammer turns it immediately into both players, and next he’ll be yelling “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire”.
In this whole round of Auburn bashing, starting with Cam Newton, where there’s smoke there has been nothing but jealous losers blowing smoke. No fire has been found because no fire exists. With all the scrutiny, if there were one single scrap of evidence it would have surfaced. Sorry to spoil your dreams.
For the ill-informed, the FBI investigation of gambling interests in Alabama ended in October of last year. Sorry if you got duped by some sophomore blogger, but no hammer is going to drop when the FBI gets done because they got done months ago.
National Championship, SEC Championship, Undefeated season, Heisman winner, Lombardi winner, Broyles winner, Coach of the Year winner: It’s great To Be An Auburn Tiger!
Bull
February 23rd, 2011
12:34 am
A guy any Auburn fan would be proad of:
“I see myself not only as a football player, but an entertainer and icon,” Newton said as noted by Sports Illustrated’s Peter King during a phone call he had with the quarterback.
I might add that Newton also said “God works in mysterious ways.” What he may have meant was that he got away with academic cheating, theft of a laptop and numerous traffic citations at Florida in ONE YEAR
cfb fan
February 23rd, 2011
12:38 am
If you look back at the history of the Auburn program seems like they always are put on probation before during or after a championship season.
MikeP
February 23rd, 2011
12:40 am
Bull
February 23rd, 2011
12:20 am
“Tiger2004 I’d love to hear what bama conspiracies you have in response to the FACT that many of the Auburn board of trustees are under federal indictment and already preparing conditional plea agfreements ”
—————————————————————————————————-
Name one member of the Auburn board of trustees that”s under federal indictment. “Everybody knows” won’t get it. Provide a link to any mainstream news site that names an Auburn board of trustee member as being under federal indictment. You’ll be up late searching because no board members are under federal indictment.
Your user name of “Bull” is appropriate, because it appears that BS is what you are full of.