University of Arizona 'is served with nine misconduct allegations by NCAA after years-long investigation into men's basketball program and coach Sean Miller'
The University of Arizona has reportedly been accused of nine counts of misconduct, including five Level I violations, by the NCAA that specifically name men's basketball coach Sean Miller as well as swimming and diving coach Augie Busch.
The Athletic first reported the violations Sunday, citing a letter sent to the NCAA by Arizona's outside counsel, Paul Kelly. Kelly also requested the school's case be referred to the new Independent Accountability Resolution Process (IARP). The alleged violations contained in the NCAA's Notice of Allegations (NOA) letter were confirmed by The Associated Press.
The violations include a lack of institutional control and failure to monitor by the university, and lack of head coach control by Miller and Busch.
A school spokesperson told The Athletic that the referral to the IARP was made 'based solely on our desire to seek as prompt a resolution as possible to the process.'
In his letter to the NCAA, Kelly requested 'a neutral and unbiased tribunal to hear the evidence, consider the legal and factual arguments, and issue a decision that is fair and just.'
The University of Arizona has reportedly been accused of nine counts of misconduct, including five Level I violations, by the NCAA that specifically name men's basketball coach Sean Miller as well as swimming and diving coach Augie Busch
The violations include a lack of institutional control and failure to monitor by the university, and lack of head coach control by Miller and swimming and diving coach Augie Busch (left). Arizona had been in the NCAA's crosshairs since 2017, when assistant coach Emanuel 'Book' Richardson was among 10 people arrested as part of a federal corruption investigation into college basketball. Richardson (pictured right, leaving court) was fired by the university and later pleaded guilty to accepting $20,000 in bribes from aspiring business manager Christian Dawkins. He was sentenced to a three-month prison sentence in 2019
Arizona had been in the NCAA's crosshairs since 2017, when assistant coach Emanuel 'Book' Richardson was among 10 people arrested as part of a federal corruption investigation into college basketball.
Richardson was fired by the university and later pleaded guilty to accepting $20,000 in bribes from aspiring business manager Christian Dawkins. He was sentenced to a three-month prison sentence in 2019.
Miller faced allegations in two federal trials following the FBI investigation and was asked about the school receiving notice during a media availability last week.
'I'm not going to comment on anything that is around any investigation. That's what I'm called to do as a member of our athletic departments, so I'm unable to comment,' he said on Thursday.
Miller sat out a game in 2018 after ESPN reported he was heard on an FBI wiretap discussing a $100,000 payment to future No. 1 overall NBA pick Deandre Ayton. Miller vehemently denied the report and university President Robert C. Robbins announced a few days later that Miller would remain the Wildcats' coach.
Miller sat out a game in 2018 after ESPN reported he was heard on an FBI wiretap discussing a $100,000 payment to future No. 1 overall NBA pick Deandre Ayton (pictured). Miller vehemently denied the report and university President Robert C. Robbins announced a few days later that Miller would remain the Wildcats' coach
The school pays Miller $2.8 million annually, but can make as much as $3.2 million with bonuses. He is the 22nd highest-paid coach in men's college basketball, according to USA Today.
Busch, whose father Frank previously coached Arizona's swimming and diving team, makes $155,000 annually, according to the Arizona Republic's database of state employee salaries.
According to The Athletic, the NOA alleged that Richardson and assistant coach Mark Phelps' both refused to speak with the NCAA after they were dismissed from Arizona, which 'compromised the integrity of the [NCAA] investigation.'
Christian Dawkins stands outside federal court Wednesday, May 8, 2019. Dawkins was the aspiring agent at the center of the federal probe into corruption in college basketball
Oklahoma State was the first school to be punished by the NCAA in the wake of the federal probe. In early June, the Cowboys were banned from the 2021 postseason and received numerous other penalties after the NCAA infractions committee found former Oklahoma State assistant coach Lamont Evans accepted up to $22,000 in bribes to steer athletes to certain financial advisers.
The NCAA issued charges against Kansas last September. That case, involving five Level I violations, was accepted in July into the new Independent Accountability Resolution Process. Cases involving North Carolina State and LSU have also been recommended to the IARP.
Louisville responded to NCAA allegations last month and Southern California, TCU and South Carolina have been charged with violations stemming from the FBI investigation.
Alabama, LSU, Creighton and Auburn also were connected to the probe.
Arizona had one of its lowest-rated recruiting classes in 2018 and the Wildcats went on to miss the NCAA Tournament for the first time in seven years. Arizona rebounded last season with another top-10 recruiting class and was in position to return to the NCAA Tournament before the season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Arizona's 2020 recruiting class is No. 5 in the 247 Sports composite.
Sean Miller's 2020 recruiting class at Arizona is ranked fifth overall by 247 Sports
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