Former Oregon Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli Can Run But Can't Hide From NCAA

After a loss in the Rose Bowl, the focus for Jeremiah Masoli and the Oregon Ducks should have been on preparing for a run at the national championship. Instead, it was a season full of turmoil and changes.

In late January, reports and rumors began to swirl in Eugene about the potential of a theft that occurred at a campus frat house. As the rumors continued to grow, the common name involved was Jeremiah Masoli.

As the days passed, Coach Chip Kelly stood behind his quarterback, stating that no decisions were going to be made until all the facts came out.

In March, those facts came out as Masoli pleaded guilty to burglary and was sentenced to 12 months of probation. Along with the courts decision, Coach Kelly suspended Masoli for the entire 2010 season but left the door open for him to redshirt and possibly play in 2011.

The possibility of a 2011 return was snuffed out when Masoli pleaded guilty to marijuana possession in mid-July. Because of these recent actions, Coach Kelly made the final move by kicking Masoli off the team.

Masoli's next move involved him getting his release papers and planning on a transfer to Ole Miss, where Houston Nutt was waiting with open arms. Only one problem: the NCAA had their eyes wide-open.

Today, the NCAA announced that they would deny Masoli's waiver request to play in 2010 leaving Masoli with only one option, take a year off and play in 2011.

This move by the NCAA is one that is being applauded by people around the nation. The NCAA is setting a standard that is showing players that they are responsible and accountable for their actions.

Masoli was given all the chances in the world at Oregon but finally enough was enough for the Ducks football program. The immediate thought by Masoli was that he could move on to another program, wipe the slate clean and not suffer the consequences of his actions.

The NCAA made sure that Masoli will serve his penalty and sit out the 2010 season. Over the past year, the NCAA has continued to crackdown on player and program transgressions. This move is one that should show student athletes that you are responsible for your actions.

Hopefully, the NCAA may start taking a look at coaches as well and making sure that past transgressions and penalties follow them, even though they may try to dodge them by moving to a new program.