Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino has been charged by the NCAA with failure to monitor a staff member in the dorm scandal that rocked the basketball program. The university itself escaped the two most serious infractions that a program can be charged with: lack of institutional control and failure to monitor.
Although Pitino is not charged with committing an infraction himself, he is accused of not monitoring former director of basketball operations Andre McGee and with failing to spot the red flags within his program.
Former escort Katina Powell released “Breaking Cardinal Rules” in October 2015. In the book, Powell alleges that McGee paid her and other escorts to have sex with players and recruits in the players’ dorm. In addition to approximately $5,400, McGee gave the women tickets to games in exchange for their services. The NCAA classifies McGee’s payments as impermissible benefits.
Although Pitino has adamantly and repeatedly denied any knowledge of the incidents, he is still held liable. The head coach assumes responsibility for all staff members and is held accountable for any violations they may commit. Pitino will likely appeal the charges.
Acting university president Dr. Neville Pinto and athletic director Tom Jurich released the following joint statement:
We believe that Mr. McGee acted furtively and note that the NOA does not indicate that any other university employee besides Mr. McGee had knowledge of these activities. We are confident in Coach Pitino and we know he is and always has been committed to NCAA compliance.
Last season, Louisville self-imposed a postseason ban, cut scholarships and reduced its recruiting access in an effort to acknowledge that violations did likely occur and in the hopes of reducing further penalties at the hands of the NCAA.