Judge Rules NCAA Verdict Against Todd McNair Violated California State Law

Former USC assistant coach Todd McNair has won his lawsuit against the NCAA in which he argued that the show-cause restriction placed on him violated state law, according to Nathan Fenno of the Los Angeles Times.

"McNair's ability to practice his profession as a college football coach has been restricted, if not preempted, not only in Los Angeles, but in every state in the country," Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Frederick Shaller wrote in his decision Tuesday. 

McNair had originally been penalized by the NCAA for his role in providing Reggie Bush with impermissible benefits. 

The coach received a show-cause penalty, which barred him from recruiting for a year. It also forced any team that wanted to hire him to explain to the NCAA why his penalty shouldn't be applied after his contract at USC wasn't renewed. 

With additional penalties possibly handed down to schools that hire coaches facing a show-cause penalty, it provides little incentive to take the risk.

However, the recent ruling shows that this type of infraction unfairly punishes the coaches and doesn't conform to California state law. Whether or not McNair gets a new job, this could change the way the NCAA levies its punishments.

Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott previously noted the four conference schools in the state—UCLA, USC, California and Stanford—would still need to abide by the NCAA's guidelines regardless of the latest court ruling.

"If California law prevents institutions in that state from honoring such commitments, it is hard to see how the Pac-12’s Member Universities in California could continue to meet the requirements of NCAA membership," Scott wrote.

If other states follow this precedent, it could reduce the punishing power of the NCAA.