MSU Sanctions Accepted by NCAA

Mississippi State head football coach, Dan Mullen.
Photo courtesy of Google Images

According to Pat Forde of Yahoo! Sports, the NCAA has accepted Mississippi State’s self-imposed sanctions in response to investigating the recruitment of Will Redmond.

ESPN’s Joe Schad reported that the university’s penalties include a two-year probation period, the loss of four visits as well as four scholarships.

Given the number of sanctions by the NCAA to Mississippi State, the Bulldogs have elected to self-impose six of the eight. This means that the university will penalize the football program itself in several areas of recruiting.

On Friday, the NCAA’s Division I Committee released the NCAA’s investigation which found a booster “made contact with a top football prospect and provided impermissible benefits.”

The report stated the booster arranged for the recruit to use cars, including a car for approximately $2,000 below its actual value as well as providing him with cash and other benefits.

In the report, recently resigned from his position Mississippi State receivers coach Angelo Mirando, denied ever having knowledge of the illegal benefits, however, the former assistant coach is said to receive a one-year show-cause. There is still no evidence that head coach, Dan Mullen, had knowledge of the improper benefits, and has remained silent regarding the football program’s sanctions.

According to reports, Redmond, the Mississippi State freshman defensive back whose recruitment is in question, was spotted receiving money from a booster in September of last year. The Clarion Ledger read:

“Byron De’Vinner, who has been interviewed by NCAA investigators, told the Head to Head radio show in Mississippi on Tuesday that he saw a “handshake” between the booster and Redmond and that former MSU receivers coach Angelo Mirando was aware of those benefits.

De’Vinner confirmed to The Clarion-Ledger on Tuesday afternoon that he called into the radio show, and added that the handshake between the booster and Redmond included about “$200.” He declined to answer further questions.

“Will Redmond is a kid that was basically taken advantage of by a booster and by an assistant coach,” De’Vinner said on the radio show.

De’Vinner also said the booster gave Redmond a jacket and “lined up some other things” for him. He claims the booster never purchased a car for Redmond.”

According to the university, with the exception of the 83 scholarships and complementary tickets, Mississippi State ensures that all scholarship sanctions and recruiting limits have been satisfied.

Story by Hillary Houston, HottyToddy.com Associate Editor at hrhousto@gmail.com