LSU Tigers Stepped in a Big Pile with the NCAA and They Now Admit It

By Larry Burton (Panama City Beach, Fl)

I've reported for months that the NCAA was looking into serious recruiting violations at LSU and have been called a liar and mudslinger. This week LSU finally came forward and not only confirmed everything I have written, but added much more that no journalist was aware of.

In all, with major portions blacked out to protect the names of certain individuals involved, LSU self-reported themselves to the NCAA for major violations—numbering in the dozens.

Except for one small mention of an improper contact with one other recruit, this self-report all has to do with the recruitment of just one individual: Aikeem Hicks.

The LSU report pointed the finger at just one LSU coach: former wide receivers' coach, D.J. McCarthy.

The report is 55 pages in length and names multiple infractions involving improper contact, improper transportation, and improper housing. The LSU report does not mention the charge that McCarthy had also given cash to Hicks.

LSU's report basically threw themselves to the mercy of the NCAA for the violations they have admitted took place, and they have admitted the team broke rules.

The NCAA, however, smells more and will now finish its own investigation looking not just into this charge, but recruiting at LSU as a whole.

To have the NCAA looking around might not be a good thing for LSU—it never is for any school.

LSU admitted that this recruit, in so many words, was given free transportation—involving free use of an automobile, free or greatly discounted housing—even before coming to LSU, and other monetary considerations.

These are among some of the most serious charges that the NCAA deals with.

What they are hoping is: that by coming forward, pleading guilty, handing over evidence of wrong-doing to the NCAA, firing the coach, and never having Hicks play a down for LSU—as well as denying him a scholarship this year, will help soften the penalties.

But what could end up hurting LSU is: LSU employees, or people who received jobs or pay from LSU—including coach McCarthy, did much of the improper transportation. There are just way too many LSU people here to name.

LSU's Chancellor, Michael Martin, said that though LSU admits the infractions and involvement of different LSU personnel, Les Miles had no knowledge of the facts or any of the infractions that were taking place.

If that is true, the greater question may be: why not?

How could Miles' assistant coach be doing all of this under his nose for so long without Miles noticing? Was Miles asleep at the wheel?

They've self-reported about three dozen different infractions, many of them major. Two were by coaches that Miles himself picked—D.J. McCarthy, and the other—a coach that Miles hired to help him work summer camps.

That coach also gave Hicks hundreds of dollars of cash according to LSU's report.

Yet Miles knew nothing and that may wind up being just as scary to the fan base.