Missouri men’s basketball coach Frank Haith will be charged with “unethical conduct and failure to promote an atmosphere of compliance” by the NCAA, stemming from his time as coach at Miami, according to a report by CBSSports.com.
The NCAA believes that payments to assistants that Haith said were for basketball camps ended up paying Miami booster Nevin Shapiro, CBS reported, citing an anonymous source. Shapiro’s mother told the NCAA she received the payment. Thus, the unethical conduct allegation.
The “failure to promote an atmosphere of compliance” charge stems from airline travel his staff gave to two players’ families, as well as allowing contact between Shapiro and players during recruiting trips, according to the report.
One of those players, senior Reggie Johnson, was suspended for a game last season. Durand Scott, the Hurricanes’ leading scorer, was suspended for the end of last season and the start of this season.
The NCAA could release the notice of allegations as early as this week, CBS reported.
Following an NCAA notice of allegations, Haith would have 90 days to respond, then would meet with the NCAA committee on infractions. There would then be up to six months for the NCAA to decide on any punishments.
If Haith did receive a “show cause” or any stiff penalty from the NCAA, his employment status would be up to Missouri, not the NCAA, which does not have the power to fire coaches.
Haith told ESPN.com in a text message that he has not received any notification from the NCAA on impending punishments.
“We are in constant contact (with) the NCAA but we have not yet received a notice of allegations,” Haith wrote.
Missouri released a statement Monday night that said, “The University has been in communication with the NCAA regarding their ongoing efforts related to the University of Miami investigation. Coach Haith and the University of Missouri continue to cooperate fully. However, we are not at liberty to comment further out of respect for the NCAA process.”
Two former Miami assistant coaches have been told of the unethical conduct charge, sources told The Associated Press. CBS reported that three assistants each face charges. Jake Morton is now at Western Kentucky, Michael Schwartz is at Fresno State, and Jorge Fernandez spent last season with Marshall.
CBS reported that the NCAA could not find proof that Haith or his staff paid $10,000 to DeQuan Jones’ family. Jones, now with the Orlando Magic of the NBA, was suspended by Miami last season, but ultimately allowed to return to the team.
Shapiro made allegations of rules and recruiting violations at Miami to Yahoo! Sports in 2011. He has said he provided extra benefits to more than 70 of Miami’s athletes from 2002-2010.
He is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for orchestrating a nearly $1 billion Ponzi scheme.
