Rick Pitino charged, Louisville is not, in dorm scandal
Rick Pitino will be charged with failure to monitor a staff member, stemming from a recruiting scandal.
On Thursday, the University of Louisville announced that the NCAA will formally charge men’s basketball head coach Rick Pitino and other current/former staff members with major rule violations. These violations stem from a recruiting scandal that was uncovered by a former escort, Katrina Powell:
The NCAA charges Rick Pitino and others from Louisville’s basketball program with providing prostitutes to players https://t.co/0hcEydofVa
— The New York Times (@nytimes) October 20, 2016
It is alleged that Powell and other escorts were paid by former director of basketball operations Andre McGee in exchange for sex with recruits and players in a dormitory. McGee is one of the others who has been formally charged. It is alleged that he paid some $5,400 to the women which can be construed as impermissible benefits.
Pitino has remained steadfast in the fact that he had no knowledge of what was going on with the recruits. The problem with that defense is that the NCAA does not care. They believe that him not knowing in itself is a problem. According to NCAA legislation, a head coach is responsible for the actions of their staff members, even if they have no knowledge of what has gone on.
Yes, it’s possible that Pitino has been telling the truth this whole time and he really had no idea this all was happening. However, the NCAA is setting an example with this situation, showing zero tolerance, as they should. Pitino will have an opportunity to appeal and Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich has backed the coach saying the University will dispute the charges.
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Last season, Louisville gave itself a self-imposed a postseason ban, showing acknowledgement of wrong doing. Pitino commented that that should be enough for the NCAA, but they seem to be looking for more punishment.
This is a situation that can linger over a program and a coach for years.