Who Should Be Held Responsible for Alabama's NCAA Sanctions?

By Terry Pellman

There are two things to be said about Southeastern Conference sports fans.

One, they represent a segment of college sports fans whose passion for their respective teams is arguably unmatched around the nation.

Two, depending on the situation, it can also be argued they lose perspective more quickly, and to a greater degree, than any other fan base on collegiate sports.

As a member of the SEC, Alabama and her fan base couldn't be in a better conference. It's a fan base who passion is unrivaled. It's also a fan base who has a segment that loses perspective very quickly and to a great degree at time.

This latest story surrounding the "textbook saga" is a prime example of the latter—a glowing example of some who have allowed their perspectives to be molded by the thoughts of others.

Then there are the others who have quickly painted people in a corner and proclaim them to the be one(s) who should be accountable. The problem with their painting is the use of a broad brush stroke which does nothing but cover the finer details underneath, the nuances that make up the entire picture.

The person painted in the corner? Athletic Director Mal Moore.

It's a sobering fact that the University has spent the majority of Moore's tenure as Athletic Director under the watchful eye of the NCAA due to probationary sanctions. It's also a fact that the face the NCAA's Committee on Infractions (COI) has seen most often this decade is the face of one Mal Moore.

However, holding him responsible for the reason the University was before the COI is the classic case of painting with a broad brush stroke.

His first appearance was due to the Albert Means fiasco—one we all remember all too well.

Along with the football staff in place when he took over the reigns of the athletic department in the fall of 1999 this was a case, a problem, he inherited.

Earlier it was mentioned how some fans have had their thoughts molded by the opinions of others. As recently as last night, Friday the 12th, well known radio personality Paul Finebaum was pointing to the number of times Moore has been in front of the COI.

Completely ignored in Finebaum's diatribe was the fact that these violations had occurred with people hired before he (Moore) took over the Alabama athletic department—a situation and staff that he inherited when he took over the position.

Alabama's probationary window was extended with another NCAA ruling where Moore was once again the figure head familiar to the COI. This time due to a basketball coach who had mentioned to two boosters in the Houston area that a high school basketball player was "for sell."

The COI complimented the Alabama compliance staff for the job they had done as they passed down the extension of the probationary window. Yet, this appearance is once again put in the same light as the Means fiasco.

Moore was there.

Again what's left out in this situation is Tyrone Beamon, the Alabama basketball coach who was involved with the Houston basketball recruit, was discovered trying to break the rules in 1998, before Moore took over the department.

A problem inherited, but dealt with by the person in charge at the time.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?