It's Time To Speak Out Against USC

I am not normally the type to cast aspersions around programs and so-called compliance issues, but I think it's time to broach something that has been bubbling around for a little while:

Someone at USC's compliance office needs to be fired. And they need to be fired now.

How on earth can an athletic program have two major 'rumors' (and yes, they are only rumors, but still) about two of the most high-profile athletes in their programs, and claim to know nothing about any of the activities that have occurred?

You would think - given all of the issues that USC had around Reggie Bush and Lloyd Lake - that they would have taken a much closer look at OJ Mayo prior to enrolling him in their basketball program. Frankly, I don't care if USC didn't know about Mayo's alleged transgressions. But how can someone have the gall to say to me - given everything that had occurred after the Reggie Bush fiasco - that the program wouldn't be going through every student-athlete with a fine-toothed comb?

Something stinks. And it's not just Bush and Mayo, and the people that they hang out with. Pat Forde had a fantastic - and I think, somewhat illuminating - quote on the issue:

In the wake of this, it's hilarious to listen to Floyd's interview on "Pardon The Interruption" before Mayo started his brief career at USC. In a previous episode, Michael Wilbon had arched an eyebrow about taking someone with Mayo's red flags into the program. Floyd's response made Mayo sound like a tragically misunderstood Eagle Scout.

Maybe Tim Floyd really just is that stupid. But I doubt it. Everyone knew Mayo had issues coming in - the willful 'forgetfulness' that the USC administration showed given all these issues was somewhat laughable. I have no problem with a program giving a kid a second/third/fourth chance or what not, but at least be honest about it. OJ Mayo had issues.

It's even more galling that all this occurred after the Reggie Bush fiasco. One would assume that USC would have nothing to do with kids with even a hint of compliance issues after that whole saga (regardless of the ultimate outcome) - and this lies squarely at the feet of the athletic administration at USC and the compliance department. Well, whatever compliance department exists around those parts, because as of now, I'm not sure what exactly it is they're doing with their time these days - because it sure as hell isn't any sort of reliable 'vetting'. I'm sure glad these guys aren't in charge of handing out national security clearances, because we'd all be dead in about a week.

What's the easy explanation? Well, I think it's fairly apparent at this point: USC just wanted to pretend these issues did not exist. Willful ignorance is not an excuse, my friends. As I've mentioned, where there's smoke, there's usually fire. To see smoke once - OK, I can see that. But to potentially dive head-first in to the next instance and ignore these issues again - after you've already been burned - it's not just not knowing. I don't think anyone is that stupid - especially compliance officials. Bottom line: they either need to be fired for incompetence or a refusal to do their jobs - and you can guess which option I think is far more likely.

This is not just a problem at USC, however - although they're one of the most recent - and best - examples. Alabama, Auburn, Michigan (basketball) - it's all too common. One would hope we have been making progress on these issues over the past ten to twelve years, but it certainly doesn't seem as so.

Of course, as they say - denial is the first step on the road to recovery. It's a long way to go yet.

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written on May 11, 2008 Opinion

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