Bruins Nation is on to Something

Make no mistake about it,Bruins Nation, the UCLA affiliate forSB Nation, is by no means friendly to the University of Southern California or spoiled children as they prefer to call it. I often have disagreed with Bruins Nation on several issues regarding the USC-UCLA rivalry but for once it seems as if we may be in agreement.

After the latest APR report and the O.J. Mayo allegations it remains clear that the USC athletic program does not warrant any sort of meadle for good citizenship. In fact, over the past several seasons, numerous players have been arrested, suspended, or even have flunked out of school entirely. Suddenly, the program is beginning to look more like the Cincinnati Bengals rather than a simple collegiate athletic program.

Back in April 2006, the folks over at Bruins Nation began compiling and updating acollection of all of the available informationregarding the scandals, criminalities, investigations, and other embarrassing incidents, that have become normalities since the arrivals of Pete Carroll and Tim Floyd.

Over these past seasons, I have excused both Carroll and Floyd on numerous occasions but the following list is a little overwhelming. Something clearly needs to be done.

Pete Carroll was hired as head football coach by USC in 2001.
On August 23, 2001, theNCAAplaced USC’s athletic department onprobationfor two years and cut scholarships because tutors wrote papers for three athletes in the late 1990s. The events leading to the probation were before Carroll’s time, but I include this for completeness sake.
In 2002, the father of USC tailback Justin Fargas invited former USC Heisman Trophy winner, andallegeddouble-murderer,O. J. Simpson to a team practice(he was found not guilty in his criminal trial but was later found liable in a civil trial). After the practice, Carroll allowed Simpson to come onto the field and meet the players and pose for pictures. Carroll defends himself from criticism by claiming that Simpsonwasn’t invited. In May 2008, Simpson’s ex manager alleged that Simpsonadmitted to killingNicole Brown Simpson.
On July 19, 2003, USC Sophomore OT Winston Justice pleadedno contestto solicitation of a prostitute in Long Beach on June 24. Winston was put on 3 years probation and fined $300 for the offense.
On March 3, 2004, Winston Justice wasarrestedon suspicion of felony assault with a deadly weapon. On June 15, 2004, Justice pleadedno contestto exhibition of a replica firearm. Justice was sentenced to 60 days of electronic monitoring and three years’ probation. Justice was alsosuspendedfor two semesters by USC’s student affairs committee after his arrest.
In August 2004, USC starting tailback Hershel Dennis was at the center of a police investigation of analleged sexual assault. According tosources, the incident took place at a party on August 16, and involved a female friend of Dennis. On August 17, Dennis was removed from practice and suspended by Carroll for “disciplinary reasons,” including breaking curfew. On December 13, 2004, the LAPD announced it would not press charges.
On January 14, 2005, Tim Floyd washiredas head basketball coach by USC.
In late March 2005, USC starting cornerback Eric Wright wasarrestedfor investigation of sexual assault. Wright was booked on rape charges and bail was set at $100,000 according to the Sheriff’s Department. Wright washeld out of spring practice, and, in April 2005, the district attorney declined to press charged because of insufficient evidence. Nevertheless, on June 2, 2005, Wrightleft USCamid possible disciplinary action. On August 25, Wright was suspended by three semesters by USC’s student affairs committee, based upon the district attorney’s office having found 136 pills of the drug Ecstasy in Wright’s room at an apartment he shared with another player.
In early April 2005, USC tight end Dominique Birdfractured his jawduring analleged altercationwith receiver Steve Smith. Bird, Smith and Carroll reportedly refused to comment on the incident, andno disciplinary actionwas taken.
In August 2005, USC defensive end Frostee Rucker allegedly got into afight with his girlfriendat a party he was hosting in Los Angeles. InJune 2006, Rucker wascharged with two misdemeanor counts of spousal battery and two counts of vandalismand was scheduled to be arraigned on August 11, 2006. Despite the incident, Rucker did not face any discipline from USC, and didn’t miss a game. In May 2007, Ruckerpleaded guiltytofalse imprisonment and vandalism chargesstemming from the 2005 incident. As part of aplea agreement, the prosecutors dropped a charge of spousal battery and Rucker wassentencedtothree years of probation. Prior to transferring to USC, in April of 2002, Rucker waschargedin Colorado withsexual assault and indecent exposure. Rucker reportedly eventually accepted aone-year deferred sentenceon a misdemeanor harassment charge.
On August 13, 2005,10 veteranUSC players were involved in ahazing incidentwhere they shaved the head of freshman quarterback Mark Sanchez. Also, what started out as awater fightbetween USC players, escalated into an all-out brawl as it spiraled out of control. Reportedly, there was significant damage to the players dorms as players were thrown through walls.
On October 31, 2005, USC tailback LenDale White played amacabre prankbypretending to quit the teamand throwing a dummy off a building on Child’s Way. Separately, Pete Carroll apologized to Washington State coach Bill Doba for USC playerspushing and bumpingDoba while trying to get to the locker room during halftime of their game.
On November 2, 2005, USC linebacker Rey Maualuga wasarrestedfor investigation of misdemeanorbatteryafter punching a man at an off-campus Halloween party (twice, without provocation). A witness at the scene reportedlyquotedMaualuga as stating“I own the police.”Carroll tookno disciplinary action, and Maualuga played the following weekend against Stanford. OneUSC pundit observedat the time that “discipline is Coach Carroll’s number one weakness.” On November 22, 2005, the city attorney’s officedeclined to file charges. Maualuga was defended at the court hearing bycontroversialandwell-connectedUSC alumni attorney Carmen “Nooch” Trutanich, who has along history with USCand previously represented both Wright and Dennis.
On December 21, 2005, USC starting quarterback Matt Leinart had hiseligibility temporarily revokedafter appearing in a promotional segment onESPNearlier that month, a violation of an NCAA rule. Leinart wasreinstatedshortly thereafter. One observer claims the NCAA was just concerned aboutmoney.
On January 1, 2006, reporters from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and CBS Sportlinereportedlytold the USC football team aboutpotential recruiting violationsstemming from visits by USC recruits to Papadakis Taverna, a Greek restaurant owned by former USC linebacker John Papadakis. As of July 2007, theinvestigation by USC compliance officials continued.
On January 21, 2006, USC quarterback Matt Leinart wascited by the Pac-10for working out with his own coach using school facilities. According to the NCAA, a student athlete cannot utilize the school’s facilities to work out with a coach, unless the coach is affiliated with the university.
On April 21, 2006, the family of USC running back Reggie Bush was implicated bynumerousseparatemedia reportsas having lived in a house purchased by a San Diego-area man with ties to a sports agent and a tribal casino. Both thePac-10and theNCAAhave launched an investigation into potential NCAA violations in connnection with this matter, which is pending. More recent reports in this fast evolving story arehere,here, andhere. Yahoo Sports, which is responsible for much of the investigative reporting on this issue, has set up a page dedicated to itseight-month probe here.
On April 26, 2006, USC quarterback Mark Sanchez wasarrestedfor investigation of sexually assaulting a female student earlier that same day. Sanchez was released upon posting $200,000 bail, and was ordered toappear in courton May 17, 2006. Sanchez was also placed on“interim suspension”by USC while the case was pending. On June 2, 2006, the LA District Attorney announced that it would not be bring charges against Sanchez due to insufficient evidence.
On April 30, 2006, it wasreportedthat USC compliance officials were investigating whether an NCAA rule was violated because receiver Dwayne Jarrett failed to pay approximately $10,000 for his half of the rent for an upscale apartment he shared with former quarterback Matt Leinart. USCclaims that no rules were violated, though it was initially reported that Jarretmay have to sit out a portion of the 2006-07 season. Jarrett ultimately avoided punishment and was the45th pickin the 2007 NFL draft. After a disappointing season, Jarrett wasarrestedon March 11, 2008 andchargedwithdriving under the influence.
In August of 2006, USC defensive back Brandon Ting quit the football team after reportedly testingpostiveforsteroid use. His twin brother, Ryan, also a defensive back on the USC football team,quit the teamjust days later, claiming that he wanted to concentrate on preparing for medical school, and was never tested. Interestingly,Arthur Ting, father of the twins, is a Bay Area orthopedic surgeon who has reportedly appeared as a witness before a grand jury considering possible perjury charges against baseball’sBarry Bonds, one of Arthur’s clients. This incident finally triggered some real interest by theLA Times.
On August 29, 2006, it was announced that former USC quarterback Matt Leinart would be havinga child out of wedlockwith USC basketball player Brynn Cameron. While not improper in any meaningful way outside of his personal life, this event begins along listofembarrassing incidentsinvolving theformer USC star(not to mentionother USC quarterbacks).
On October 16, 2006, it was announced that then14-year-old high school freshman Dwayne Polee Jr., who hadyet to even play a game at Westchester high, had verbally committed to USC’s basketball team. Though not improper, the early commitment was unconventional, and was repeated in June 2007 when USCannounced the verbal commitment of 14-year-old middle school player Ryan Boatright, who, at the time, hadnot yet even decided upon where he was going to high school. Further eyebrows were raised in June 2007, whenUSC hired Dwayne Polee Sr., father of Dwayne Polee Jr., as Director of Basketball Operations, amid charges of nepotism.
On December 4, 2006, former USC stand-out, and former Rams rookie, tight end Dominique Byrd wasarrestedfor allegedly hitting a bar patronin the facewith a drinking glass. Byrd was charged with second- and third-degree assault and armed criminal action. He was released shortly after posting a$25,000 bond. In early May, 2008, Byrd was scheduled to go to trial in St. Louis Circuit Court onfelony charges of assault and armed criminal actionstemming from the nightclub scuffle in December 2006. In March 2007, he was charged withDUI in California. In October 2007, hepleaded no contest to the DUI charge and received three years’ probation. In May 2008, Byrd wasreleased by the Rams.
In January 2007, afederal investigationinto extortion claims by former USC running back Reggie Bush and his family revealed the existence oftaped converstationsthat could confirm Bush took cash and gifts while he was playing football for USC. It was also reported that nearly $280,000 in cash, rent and gifts were allegedly given to Bush and his family. The information came to light following the issuance ofgrand jury subpoenasto multiple witness by the U.S. District Attorney’s office in San Diego. Both the NCAA and Pac-10continue to investigate. Also, more recent articles suggest that Reggie Bush wasinvolved earlier and more deeplythan previously reported in efforts to create the sports marketing agency at the center of the continuing controversy. The investigation has, to date, yielded no definitive proof that USC officials had knowledge of Bush’s misconduct, though Bush was neverthelessasked not to attendthe Trojans’ Rose Bowl matchup against Michigan on New Year’s Day.
On February 2, 2007, it was reported that a “stampede of student athletes,” including three USC linemen, ex-USC receiver Keary Colbert, and members of the USC women’s basketball, volleyball and water polo teams, hadimproperly attemptedto take anacademic shortcutaround the university’s foreign language requirement by signing up for a course atLos Angeles Trade Tech Collegetaught by USC graduateSenora Ross, who promised to give the athletes no lower than a “B.” Upon discovering the situation, USC officials disallowed the transfer of credits from Trade Tech.
On February 8, 2007, it was reported that USC football players had created and joined aracist Facebook groupas a “joke.” The racist Facebook group was called “White Nation,” showed a graphic of a swastika and black baby in handcuffs with the caption “arrest black babies before they become criminals.” Thegroupwas created by USC linebacker Clay Matthews and was joined by teammates David Buehler, Brian Cushing, Dan Deckas and Dallas Sartz. Coach Pete Carroll responded to reports of the incident by saying he hadno plans to discipline the players, and USC later announced thatnone of the players would be punished. According toCarroll, “[i]t’s not a controversy, it’s a mistake.”
On February 9, 2007, USC compliance officials announced they wereinvestigatingwhether an NCAA violation occurred during the Trojans’ pursuit of Louisiana prep star running back Joe McKnight. The investigation followed reports that McKnight had told reporters that USC coach Pete Carroll had set up aconference callso he and high school coach J.T. Curtis could be assured by ex-Trojan running back Reggie Bush that USC would not be punished for a separate NCAA investigation into improper benefits allegedly taken by Bush. Carroll laterdeniedthat any call took place, and Curtis said that McKnight misspoke. According to NCAA officials, if USC got Bush’s help in recruiting McKnight, it would be considered a “secondary violation” of recruiting rules.
On March 9, 2007, USC basketball recruit O.J. Mayo wasarrestedformisdemeanor marijuana possessionin Huntington, West Virginia. Mayo was one of four young males found in a suspicious vehicle by aCabell County Sheriff’s drug task force unitassigned to serve a search warrant at a house nearby. The charges against Mayo were laterdismissedby a magistrate judge, after the driver of the vehicle pleaded guilty to the charge (thoughMayo’s fathersubsequently had his own difficulties). The incident followed a controversy in January following Mayo’s two (some sources say three) gamesuspensionafter receivingtwo technical foulsin a high school game andcoming into contact with an official, as well asprior reportsofthree suspensionsby his high school, the last one following an altercation with a female student.
On April 14, 2007, it was announced that Percy Romeo Miller, also known as Romeo (and formerly Lil’ Romeo) had beenoffered a basketball scholarshipto USC. The scholarship offer, to a 5-foot-10 point guard with abad knee who had never played a full season of high-school basketball, wasroundly criticized by national commentatorsas athinly veiled attempt by USCto obtain the commitment of Miller’s friend, prep star and NBA prospect Demar DeRozan, while ignoringMiller’s mediocre at best talent.
In the first week of August, 2007, there were new developments in the NCAA investigation of former USC running back Reggie Bush, when it was reported thataudio recordings that allegedly establish an improper financial relationship between Bush and a would-be sports marketing agent were playedfor NCAA investigators. The tapes were revealed after Lloyd Lake, a partner in failed sports marketing agency New Era Sports enterprise,filed a lawsuit against Bush and his family, seeking to recoup nearly $300,000 in benefits Lake claims he helped provide. Lake’s allegations were further detailed in January 2008, with the publication ofDon Yaeger’s book Tarnished Heisman, whichchronicled various allegations swirling around Bush’s USC tenure, includingclaims that Bush received $47,000 out of an overall $291,000 that went to his familyfrom sports marketer Lake. That same month,published reportscontained Lake’s (unsubstantiated) allegation thatUSC coaches knewBush wastaking money in violation of NCAA rules.
On August 28, 2007,a contributortoBruinsnation.com unearthedareport from April 1996that USC running backs coach Todd McNair wasarrested and charged with 81 offenses involving the mistreatment of 22 pit bullsbeing trained on his property for dogfights while a running back for the Houston Oilers. In light of recent press relating to NFL quarterback Michael Vick, the reportunleashed a firestorm, withnumerous acts of alleged animal crueltybeing uncovered in McNair’s past, includingmultiple misdemeanors convictions(via plea bargain) regardinganimal crueltyand failure to license, and“all indications”that McNair was involved indog flighting. McNair, who was previously implicated in Reggie Bush scandal, havingallegedly known about Bush’s involvement with the New Era venture before USC national championship game against Texas, faced no discipline from USC.
On September 27, 2007, it was reported that USC sophomore point guard Daniel Hackett would be sidelined at least six weeksafter suffering multiple fractures of his jawwhen he wasstruck by the “elbow” of teammate O.J. Mayoduring a pickup game. Shortly thereafter, it was reported, based upon several sources, including a member of the basketball team, thatMayo punched Hackett during the game. The player was quoted as saying “Yeah, he punched him,” “They changed the story for the media.” Despite later denials by Floyd and others,this version of the events was confirmedonmultiple occasions.
On November 3, 2007,convicted felonSuge Knight was given asideline passto a USC game. Knight joinsO.J. SimpsonandSnoop Doggas USC’s esteemed guests.
In early November 2007, USC forward Davon Jefferson wassuspendedfor the team’sembarrassing season-opening loss to Mercer. Jefferson, whorequired two years to meet the NCAA’s minimum academic requirementsand waskicked out of prep school before he joined USC, was also laterbenched for much of a narrow loss at Stanford and also suspended for a loss to Washington State. After clashing with Floyd, Jeffersondid not even inform the schoolof his decision to turn pro.
On January 21, 2008, USC freshman guard O.J. Mayo wasalleged to have violated NCAA rules by accepting complimentary ticketsfrom Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony to aLakers-Nuggets gameat Staples Center. CoachFloyd subsequently took the blame, and Mayo was ultimately required to donate the value of the tickets to charity.
On March 2, 2008, USC defensive tackle Fili Moala wasarrested for resisting and obstructing an officerafter amelee at a Newport Beach barwasbroken up by police. Moala was released after posting $500 bail, and on March 13, the Orange County district attorney’s officedeclined to press charges.
On March 5, 2008, USC recruit Maurice Simmons wasarrested for robbery in Compton, after he allegedly pointed a handgun at a man and demanded his belongings. Simmons, alinebacker from Dominguez High School, was initiallyheld at the Los Angeles County jail on $50,000 bail, and thenreleased after posting bail of $85,000. Simmons wasarraignedon March 7, and his preliminary hearing isscheduled for May 15, 2008. To date,USC has not indicated whether or notit intends to honor its commitment to Simmons. Developing.
On April 1, 2008, USC head coach Pete Carroll, in an attempt to make light of the Trojan’s extensive past history of criminality,invited members of the LAPD to play a prank on defensive end Everson Griffen, who was said to have “physically abused a freshman” and wasthreatened with arrest during a team meeting.
On April 6, 2008, USC sophomore tailbackJoe McKnight was held out of the team’s scrimmage and it was announced that he would miss the final week of spring workoutsbecause he wasacademically ineligible to participate. McKnight had dropped a class, leaving himwithout the 12 units required for eligibility.
On April 27, 2008, the NFL draft ended with USC guard Drew Radovich remaining unselected. Expected by some to be amid-to-late round pick, Radovich’s stockallegedlydropped based uponcharacter concerns.
In late April or early May, 2008, avideo was postedon Pete Carroll’s website starring his son, Brennan. The video, replete with profanity and questionable behavior, waswidely ridiculed, and was allegedlyused against USCinrecruiting. In mid-May, thevideo was removedfrom youtube.com, withCarroll explaining that it was just a “spoof.”
On May 2, 2008, the judge in the civil litigation between former USC running back Reggie Bush and Lloyd Lakeordered the parties to appear in June 2008 for their depositions, anddenied Bush’s attempts to impose a “gag order”to prevent the deposition transcripts from being shared with the NCAA. The judge alsoset a trial date of March 13, 2009.
On May 4, 2008, former USC tight end Fred Davisfailed to attend the final practice of the The Washington Redskins minicamp because he overslept after a late night out. Besides giving a poor first impression, Davisconfirmed concerns about his commitment to footballdating back to his time at USC. Davis wassuspended for two games his freshman year at USCfor coming back late from his home in Ohio, andmissed the 2005 Orange Bowl.
On May 6, 2008, it was announced that USC’s men’s basketball team was theonly major athletic program in the Southland penalized with scholarship lossesas the result of apoor performance in the NCAA’s academic progress rate. The Trojans werepenalizedin part because Lodrick Stewart, Nick Young and Gabe Pruitt stopped attending class after the 2007 season, and becausethree players transferredwithin the same season. USC’s APR score of 804 was121 points below the minimum-acceptable mark, and stemmed from various academic problems, including Gabe Pruitt’s academic ineligibility for the fall 2006 semester, and hisineligibility again following the spring 2007 semester. USC served the penalty during the 2007-08 season.
On May 13, 2008, ESPN aired anepisode ofOutside the Linesthat containedextensive, well-documented allegations that USC guard O.J. Mayo received improper benefitsfrom a sports agent (BDA Sports) and that agent’s runner (Rodney Guillory) both before and during his one season at USC. It was alleged that Guillory receivedbenefits in excess of $200,000, while Mayo received $30,000 in benefits, including cash, clothes, cell phone service, and a flat screen television for his dorm room. USC immediately faced astorm of criticism, with several prominent commentatorcalling for sanctions, including the so-called “death penalty.”Thecriticism of USC intensifiedas it was reported that Guillory was given largelyunfettered access to Mayo and the athletic department, after ahighly unusual recruitment process,despite USC knowing of his involvement with agents,including aprior scandal with USC’s Jeff Trepagnier, formany years. The Pac-10 and the NCAA havelaunched investigations. Developing.

Thanks to Bruins Nation for creating such a large database of information regarding the recent scandals that have plauged the University of Southern California.

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