Not supporting the NCAA here, just suggesting that maybe they already have enough dirt in Miami and at this point are just looking for icing.
But then again, it's probably just another example of double standards by the NCAA.
There is one major difference between Miami and all the *U scenarios mentioned. In this case, the NCAA has testimony from someone who was involved first hand. "I did this....". They cannot get a denial from Miami players because their becoming involved gets them into legal trouble with a federal investigation of "where did the money go?". The Miami players are choosing the lesser of two evils for themselves----and let the University take care of itself. If they deny their involvement you can bet there will be subpoenas for them to testify under oath. That brings a chance for rebuttal and will get very sticky, on a personal basis, if evidence supports Shapiro's claims. As long as they refuse to speak, no problems will arise. Once they refute, they better be able to afford good attorneys.
In the Auburn HBO 4, the NCAA has no testimony. They have a 3rd party interview with a television network where there is no downside to refusing to cooperate with the NCAA. When asked by the NCAA to name names and confirm, they have simply refused, with no downside risk. Shapiro has named names.
I'm not so certain future *U parties will be able to continue to use that same risk reward analysis.
In true terms, Shapiro is a "representative of the schools athletics interests". He gave benefits to student athletes. We have talked for a couple of years about 7-on-7 teams, runners and street agents. Shapiro fits in with that group. Please note the time frame of Shapiro's allegations; the story broke in August, 2011. At that time the NCAA was deep in conversations with Will Lyles with regard to Oregon. And from this story, the NCAA was already in south Florida looking into 7-on-7 camps and recruiting practices of at least 3 SEC schools and several ACC schools:
http://www.cbssports.com/collegefoo...-boosters-claims-that-miami-players-took-cash
"The NCAA has been active in South Florida over the past several months, sending investigators to various 7-on-7 camps and making connections with parents and coaches. One source added that the secondary focus of the look was on the recruiting methods of at least three SEC schools and a number of ACC schools in the area."
We didn't keep up with it because we were all too preoccupied with Cam, but Oregon is about to undergo summary disposition in their NCAA case, meaning that there is agreement on several points and that they are cooperating with the NCAA (That is why you are hearing talk of Chip Kelley to the NFL). Their issues center on benefits paid by the school to recruiting services who influenced kids in the recruiting process, and benefits to kids (recruiting trips) paid for by boosters and recruiting services. They have agreement because the recruiting services (Will Lyles---again, first person involvement) gave the information to the NCAA. That starts a landslide of questions.
Why would he do that? Don't believe for a minute it is just out of the goodness of his heart.
And, who is next?
Not confirmed but Tedford's firing at Cal fits the mold. And Tedford was at Oregon before he went to Cal. The guy who was the mentor for Kenan Allen is currently the girls softball coach at a small school about 10 miles north of Berkley, CA.
All the national pundits have warned us for several months---this is just the tip of the iceberg.