The news sending shockwaves through the NCAA is the announcement of USC being dealt a a two-year postseason ban, a reduction in scholarships, and a forfeiture of wins from at least the 2004 season … moment of silence.
ESPN reports:
The Los Angeles Times reported the NCAA sanctions include the loss of more than 20 scholarships.
ESPN The Magazine’s Bruce Feldman confirmed the two-year postseason ban and a reduction in scholarships from a second USC source.
USC will respond Thursday to the NCAA’s findings following its investigation into possible violations by the Trojans’ football and men’s basketball programs, a source told ESPN’s Joe Schad.
“I have a great love for the University of Southern California and I very much regret the turn that this matter has taken, not only for USC, but for the fans and players,” Bush said in a statement.
“I am disappointed by [Thursday’s] decision and disagree with the NCAA’s findings. If the University decides to appeal, I will continue to cooperate with the NCAA and USC, as I did during the investigation. In the meantime, I will continue to focus on making a positive impact for the University and for the community where I live,” Bush said.
The school’s football team is under investigation for its dealing with Heisman Trophy-winning running back Bush, who played at the school from 2003 to ’05. If Bush is found retroactively ineligible, the Heisman Trust could strip him of his 2005 award.
The NCAA and investigators from the Pac-10 Conference have tried to determine whether Bush and his parents took improper benefits, including an alleged rent-free residence provided by a sports marketer. Bush has not met with NCAA and Pac-10 investigators and has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
I think the biggest issue with this situation is how recruiting is going to be affected. With this, a new kid will have to wait until he’s either a sophomore or an upperclassman to play any bowl game or play for a championship. Not only will new kids have to wait to play in any bowl game, but USC isn’t going to find an abundance of highly rated players that want to pay their way through school for 2 years while their school deals with this mess. You also have to think that all of the recruits that followed Lane from Tennessee are all looking at each other with the Ray Allen Game 3 face. I’m thinking that in a few years the USC bench will have about as much depth as an infant sandbox.
Thinkin’ about the USC recruits and this situation reminds me of “Last Call” off of Kanye’s College Dropout album:
“Yo, you still think we can get that scholarship at Ohio State?????”
On the subject of Kiffen, though; with all of this turmoil, this means nothing but good for him as far as job security. This incident will guarantee him four years at least, because no one is going to punish him for Pete’s mistakes; he will get a two-year grace for this and then another 2-3 years to bring in a full recruiting class and let them develop.
Meanwhile, Pete Carroll is sitting so high, he can see the Hawks. This should be the real reason why Carroll left the program (for the 2 or 3 of you that still have doubts). If this Carroll/Seattle scenario isn’t the definition of convenient, then I don’t know what is. Jesus himself could not tell me that Carroll did not know this was coming ahead of time. USC is suffering from the sins of their father, and their father is somewhere chilling on a sunny day in Seattle, and laughing while “It Never Rains (In Southern California)” is playing on the radio.
As far as Reggie Bush goes, I’m sure he feels somewhat responsible, but how much can he really care at this point? He does have a Super Bowl ring, and I’m sure he knows not to be expecting any invitations to any USC banquets in the near future.
One person who is a fan of this situation is Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers (@AaronRodgers12), who tweeted this earlier:
Looking forward to getting my PAC-10 championship ring from the ’04 season. Thanks @claymatthews52
At the end of the day, I think we should all raise our lighters and/or pour out a little liquor for what was once the USC Trojans, because Lord knows they will not be the same for some time.
I leave the USC fans with a song to get you through these tough times … keep your head up.
R.I.P.
U nder
S anctions
C urrently
Kris Moyo is one of BSO’s newest writers and comes from a long background of jive talking and pimp walking. You can follow Kris on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/IAMKRIS24