The Real Truth: Is Tar Heels Coach Guilty of Violations?

As the world turns, so goes the investigation of the University of North Carolina Tar Heels. Every turn seems to bring something new. The latest is that John Blake, an "associate head coach" for the Tar Heels according to one source, is at the center of the newest twist in the investigation of Marvin Austin.

According to Steve Spurrier, Blake has a reputation in college football.

 "Let me just say this: When you've been in coaching as long as I have, we know the reputation of almost all the coaches out there that have been around a long time," Spurrier told The (Columbia, S.C.) State. "So I guess what I would say is that article's not very surprising. That's about the least I should say about it.

"We all have a reputation, especially guys who've coached 20 years or so. It's hard to hide whatever your reputation is."

Before we take what Spurrier says as the gospel, let's look at his own reputation and why he would make this statement. Spurrier has been out recruited in his own state, failing to obtain several high profile recruits including the number one player for 2011 according to Scout.com. He also has a very big mouth and a reputation for being exceptionally quick to respond.

Another source for John Blake claims is Scipio Tex on Barking Carnival at Fantake.com. Based on this account of Blake alone, one has to question whether Blake is not being tarred and feathered by those who dislike him and/or North Carolina's emergence as a national power in college football. Largely innuendo, including the claims of locker room upheavals in Texas (where it appears the author might be from), and attempts to link Blake with the sour, scandal-plagued end of the Switzer era at Oklahoma simply because he worked with Switzer.

A review of one of Scipio Tex's articles on Blake shows what apparent tripe this guy puts out.

Wichard continues to weave factual magic:

"

An accomplished agent with many big-name clients, Wichard said he signed only one player – Oklahoma tight end Stephen Alexander – while Blake was a head coach with the Sooners.

Sigh. Yahoo sports editors have now renamed fact-checking: “Wichard-checking.”

But a review of NFLPA records show Wichard signed multiple players whose college careers overlapped with Blake’s coaching journey.

In addition to Alexander, they include:

Brian Bosworth (OU)
Cedric Jones (OU)
Aubrey Beavers (OU)
William Bartee (OU)
Tommy Kelly (Miss State)
Brandon Jackson (Neb)
Kentwan Balmer (UNC)

"

Wait a minute. Wichard says that the only player he signed while Blake was head coach at Oklahoma was Stephen Alexander and in retort this guy refers to Brian Bosworth and other players at other universities when Blake clearly was not head coach of Oklahoma?  End of story. This guy has no credibility, even though his comments are being picked up by others and repeated over the Net.

Now, let's just see what is known. Not much. We know that Blake is a successful recruiter. We know that Spurrier, whose self-interest clearly favors casting aspersions on Blake and North Carolina, put himself squarely in the mix. And we know that Wichard has said:

 “If the center of this controversy is my relationship with John, there’s really no controversy,” Wichard said. “If that’s what [the NCAA] is investigating, I think it’s just absurd. … I hope – I really, truly hope – that Marvin Austin’s whole case is based on me and John Blake. I hope that for Marvin Austin’s sake. At the end of the day, there’s nothing to investigate.”

In reading most if not all of the most recent revelations about the investigation of Marvin Austin, The Real Truth is struck by the innuendo in every statement but the one from Wichard. Somehow, despite the likely chutzpah of a good agent, these words ring true.

And that is The Real Truth.