Ole Miss Football: What Does Louisville Basketball Have To Do With Ole Miss?
By John Gillon
Ole Miss football has entered the fourth quarter of their NCAA infractions case. What, if anything, does the recent Louisville basketball case have to do with the Ole Miss case.
Two weeks ago today Ole Miss released their response to the amended notice of allegations they received in February. Of course, Ole Miss announced the amended notice of allegations in a 20 minute video.
Of course, Louisville basketball and Ole Miss footballs indiscretions are on completely different levels of morality. Ole Miss has been charged with several laughable offenses. These include Ole Miss being charged with a booster allowing access to private hunting land and a coach allowing a kid to sleep on his couch. Where as Louisville was found guilty of an assistant basketball coach lining up prostitutes for prospective student athletes.
The NCAA quite literally dropped the hammer on Rick Pitino’s program. The infraction committee’s decision on Louisville can be found here. Louisville will have to forfeit their 2013 NCAA title. Of course, coach Pitino will be suspended for the first 5 ACC games this coming season.
How The Cases are Related?
Ole Miss Rebels Football
Wonder how the two cases are even related? Hugh Freeze and Rick Pitino were charged under the head coach responsibility act. The rule was passed in an effort to hold head coaches more accountable. Pitino was found to have violated the rule, however, Pitino was not directly involved in the prostitution scandal.
Hugh Freeze, who has not been directly linked to any major violation, was charged under the act. Freeze allegedly failed to monitor his staff and promote an attitude of compliance. Coach Freeze vehemently denies the allegation of failure to monitor.
Of course, the COI will decide whether or not Freeze should be held responsible for so-called ‘rogue agent’ acts. Freeze argues he did everything in his power to promote compliance among his staff.
Failure To Tell The Truth
The failure to monitor charge came to fruition due to allegations relying on shaky testimony. Rival athletes told NCAA investigators that a Ole Miss assistant hooked them up with various cash and merchandise benefits. However, a local Ole Miss merchandise vendor, Rebel Rags, recently filed a defamation lawsuit against the student athletes. Assuming Rebel Rags wins the suit by proving the student athletes lied, the testimonies will be thrown out.
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The COI’s handling of Coach Freeze will be interesting. However, Freeze should not be punished any more than the football equivalent of Pitino’s suspension. While Ole Miss fans shouldn’t put too much worry into being stripped of their 2015/16 Sugar Bowl title like Louisville was stripped of their 2013 National Championship. However, there is still a miniscule chance Ole Miss will be stripped of their bucket-list win.