Report: Syracuse football program part of NCAA investigation
While the Syracuse basketball program appears to be the main focus of an ongoing NCAA investigation, the Orange football program is reportedly also a part of the probe.
According to ESPN’s Brett McMurphy, the football team is “facing allegations involving extra benefits,” but only from a “two-or-three-year stretch around 2004 or 2005.” By comparison, the allegations surrounding the basketball program are said to go back “about 10 years and are as current as the 2013 season.”
If the allegations against the football program do stem from 2004 and 2005, that time frame would mark the end of Paul Pasqualoni’s tenure as head coach (1991-2004), and the beginning of Greg Robinson’s stint with the program (2005-2008). Additionally, McMurphy is reporting that “none of the allegations” occurred since 2009, when Doug Marrone took over. Scott Shafer replaced Marrone, now the head coach of the Buffalo Bills, in 2013.
Syracuse.com reported Thursday that the football team could be “potentially exposed to penalties.” When reached by Syracuse.com, Marrone said he was not invited to the upcoming hearing in front of the NCAA Committee on Infractions in Indianapolis (reported to take place on Oct. 30-31).
“There’s nothing that I know about that we did that wasn’t either punished or put forth,” Marrone said. “One thing I did, if we made a mistake, an incidental contact or something, I just always reported it. It’s not worth it. This way I can sleep at night.”
It was first reported in March 2013 that the Syracuse basketball program was under NCAA investigation for academic issues and alleged extra benefits. Since then, the athletic department restructured its academic services department.
The infractions hearing will reportedly mark the end of the investigation and could result in NCAA punishment.
For more Syracuse news, visit CuseConfidential.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
