Mississippi State confirmed on Thursday that it is under investigation by the NCAA for potential recruiting violations.
“Over the last several months, Mississippi State has worked in cooperation with the NCAA to examine a potential recruiting irregularity,” said a statement released by the school. “We are nearing the end of this examination, and it is our intent to provide additional details when it is complete.”
The shocking news comes two weeks before the Bulldogs’ season opener against Jackson State and just days following the sudden resignation of wide receivers coach Angelo Mirando on Sunday. It was his recruitment of at least one MSU player that precipitated the NCAA inquiry.
The school issued a statement on Sunday, attributing Mirando’s decision to step down to “unforeseen personal issues.”
Mississippi State freshman defensive back Will Redmond was the subject of an NCAA interview at Memphis East High School.
His coach, Marcus Wimberly, told the representatives of college sports’ governing body that there was nothing amiss about how the Bulldogs recruited his player.
“I told them, as far as I was concerned, his recruitment was on the up-and-up,” Wimberly said. “Who knows what [the NCAA] are looking for? Will chose his school because he felt most comfortable and it was close to home.”
Mississippi State, which is led by head coach Dan Mullen, have hired former Minnesota head coach Tim Brewster to fill Mirando’s position. Mullen had indicated earlier in the week that there was a chance that Mirando could return to his staff, but obviously changed his mind later in the week.
Mirando had served as a graduate assistant coach for two seasons before Mullen promoted him to a full-time assistant in 2011.
Mullen declined further comment on his resignation.
Brewster was fired after going 15-30 with the Gophers, including just 6-21 in the Big Ten. He had agreed earlier this month to become an analyst with the CBS Sports Network.
