Disputed phone call with Bush has USC investigating

Eleazar · 02-09-2007, 01:10 PM

LOS ANGELES -- The University of Southern California is looking into whether it may have violated NCAA recruiting rules while pursuing highly rated recruit Joe McKnight, a university official said.

McKnight signed a national letter of intent with USC on Wednesday and made comments during a news conference that seemed to suggest communications involving former Trojan Reggie Bush, who is now with the New Orleans Saints.

Former players are forbidden from telephoning prospective recruits, their relatives or guardians.

"We're aware of it, and we are looking into it," sports information director Tim Tessalone told The Associated Press late Thursday.

The university's action was first reported by the Los Angeles Times on its Web site late Thursday.

USC coach Pete Carroll denied any call took place, and McKnight's high school football coach said the recruit misspoke during the news conference. The star running back has been living with his high school coach, J.T. Curtis.

"It never happened," Carroll told the Times.

During the Wednesday news conference, McKnight said Carroll set up a conference call so he and Curtis could talk to Bush and ease concerns USC might face sanctions.

The NCAA and the Pac-10 Conference are investigating whether Bush or his family received "improper benefits" from agents while he was playing for USC.

Regarding McKnight, Mike Matthews, associate commissioner of compliance for the Pac- 10, said boosters are not supposed to be involved in the recruiting process but could not comment without knowing specifics. NCAA spokeswoman Crissy Schluep also said she could not comment without knowing more.

Curtis told the Times on Thursday that he spoke to Carroll during McKnight's recruitment, but not on a conference call with McKnight or Bush. He also said McKnight told him "Coach Carroll was talking to Reggie on the speakerphone and Joe was able to listen and hear Reggie Bush's side of the story," the newspaper reported.

After being informed of Carroll's denial Thursday night, Curtis called McKnight and later said the recruit never heard Bush on a speakerphone.

"He said when they came in his house, the discussion was brought up about probation and that's when the conversation came up that they had talked to Reggie, but Joe was not there," Curtis said. "He said, 'I was not on the speakerphone. I never called him and he never called me. I want to make it clear I never spoke to Reggie and he never spoke to me. I just messed it up. I shouldn't have said it that way [at the news conference].' "

Curtis said McKnight may have been overwhelmed by the attention and scrutiny that accompanied his announcement.

"At the press conference, it seemed like he got 1,000 questions in five minutes," Curtis said. "If you saw what was going on it would be easier to understand."

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

big nasty kcnut · 02-09-2007, 01:13 PM

Why is it bad for players to talk to recruit it would be good to talk about what kind of plays they run and stuff like that. Regular boosters the ones i would worry about.

Sam Hall · 02-09-2007, 02:01 PM

Sometimes it's the appearance of wrongdoing. The NCAA probably thinks stuff like this gives schools an unfair advantage. Maybe they think a phone call could turn into something bigger.

**Bugeater** · 02-09-2007, 02:17 PM

As much as I hate to defend USC, I'm convinced that some degree of funny business goes on at nearly all major universities. They're just being targeted because of their recent run of success. Same shit started happening to Nebraska when they went on their run in the 90's. They build you up so they can tear you down.

htismaqe · 02-09-2007, 02:19 PM

The star running back has been living with his high school coach, J.T. Curtis.

The problems with this kid obviously run deeper than a phone call from Reggie Bush...

Sam Hall · 02-09-2007, 02:21 PM

I wouldn't tell the media I was talking to Reggie Bush if I were McKnight.

Sam Hall · 02-09-2007, 02:26 PM

McKnight is supposed to be a key factor in SC's running game next year. He's one of those players who is a threat to go the distance whenever he has the ball from what I understand. The player he compares to is Reggie Bush.

Mecca · 02-09-2007, 07:36 PM

Reggie Bush needs to get away from the program.....he's bringing bad shit constantly now.

I also enjoy how Yahoo keeps "breaking stories" about USC...do they have some obsession?

**Skip Towne** · 02-09-2007, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

Reggie Bush needs to get away from the program.....he's bringing bad shit constantly now.

I also enjoy how Yahoo keeps "breaking stories" about USC...do they have some obsession?

It makes you kinda nervous doesn't it?

Demonpenz · 02-09-2007, 07:55 PM

mecca is allowed to blow only two recruits before signing da. NCAA rulebook 14:05

Mecca · 02-09-2007, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

mecca is allowed to blow only two recruits before signing da. NCAA rulebook 14:05

.........I'm not blowing anyone so speak for yourself.

Demonpenz · 02-09-2007, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

.........I'm not blowing anyone so speak for yourself.

I see you got your lines remembered for the NCAA when they come knocking.

88TG88 · 02-09-2007, 08:11 PM

supposedly pete called joey with bush on conference call. bush and mcknight never spoke only caroll. thats the story

BWillie · 02-09-2007, 09:09 PM

Why is it such a big deal that a former player talks with a prospect? Big freaking deal, as long as they aren't givin' them money what is the problem.

Mecca · 02-09-2007, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie007

Why is it such a big deal that a former player talks with a prospect? Big freaking deal, as long as they aren't givin' them money what is the problem.

Because the NCAA has Nazi like rules.......and someone who works at Yahoo is trying to report on USC 24/7 like they're evil or something.

02-09-2007, 01:10 PM
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	Disputed phone call with Bush has USC investigating LOS ANGELES -- The University of Southern California is looking into whether it may have violated NCAA recruiting rules while pursuing highly rated recruit Joe McKnight, a university official said. McKnight signed a national letter of intent with USC on Wednesday and made comments during a news conference that seemed to suggest communications involving former Trojan Reggie Bush, who is now with the New Orleans Saints. Former players are forbidden from telephoning prospective recruits, their relatives or guardians. "We're aware of it, and we are looking into it," sports information director Tim Tessalone told The Associated Press late Thursday. The university's action was first reported by the Los Angeles Times on its Web site late Thursday. USC coach Pete Carroll denied any call took place, and McKnight's high school football coach said the recruit misspoke during the news conference. The star running back has been living with his high school coach, J.T. Curtis. "It never happened," Carroll told the Times. During the Wednesday news conference, McKnight said Carroll set up a conference call so he and Curtis could talk to Bush and ease concerns USC might face sanctions. The NCAA and the Pac-10 Conference are investigating whether Bush or his family received "improper benefits" from agents while he was playing for USC. Regarding McKnight, Mike Matthews, associate commissioner of compliance for the Pac- 10, said boosters are not supposed to be involved in the recruiting process but could not comment without knowing specifics. NCAA spokeswoman Crissy Schluep also said she could not comment without knowing more. Curtis told the Times on Thursday that he spoke to Carroll during McKnight's recruitment, but not on a conference call with McKnight or Bush. He also said McKnight told him "Coach Carroll was talking to Reggie on the speakerphone and Joe was able to listen and hear Reggie Bush's side of the story," the newspaper reported. After being informed of Carroll's denial Thursday night, Curtis called McKnight and later said the recruit never heard Bush on a speakerphone. "He said when they came in his house, the discussion was brought up about probation and that's when the conversation came up that they had talked to Reggie, but Joe was not there," Curtis said. "He said, 'I was not on the speakerphone. I never called him and he never called me. I want to make it clear I never spoke to Reggie and he never spoke to me. I just messed it up. I shouldn't have said it that way [at the news conference].' " Curtis said McKnight may have been overwhelmed by the attention and scrutiny that accompanied his announcement. "At the press conference, it seemed like he got 1,000 questions in five minutes," Curtis said. "If you saw what was going on it would be easier to understand." Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
Posts: 80,659

02-09-2007, 01:13 PM	#2
big nasty kcnut The pizza king of kansas Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Somewhere in the u.s.a. Casino cash: $1660900	Why is it bad for players to talk to recruit it would be good to talk about what kind of plays they run and stuff like that. Regular boosters the ones i would worry about. __________________ When it's grim, be the grim reaper and go get it. Adopt a chiefs Travis Kelce. You woke up the wrong mother****er!
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02-09-2007, 02:01 PM	#3
Sam Hall UNSTOPPABLE Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: KC area Casino cash: $9895185	Sometimes it's the appearance of wrongdoing. The NCAA probably thinks stuff like this gives schools an unfair advantage. Maybe they think a phone call could turn into something bigger. __________________
Posts: 8,137

02-09-2007, 02:17 PM	#4
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6252680	As much as I hate to defend USC, I'm convinced that some degree of funny business goes on at nearly all major universities. They're just being targeted because of their recent run of success. Same shit started happening to Nebraska when they went on their run in the 90's. They build you up so they can tear you down.
Posts: 70,443

02-09-2007, 02:19 PM	#5
htismaqe 'Tis my eye! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Chiefsplanet Casino cash: $10269900	The star running back has been living with his high school coach, J.T. Curtis. The problems with this kid obviously run deeper than a phone call from Reggie Bush...
Posts: 100,022

02-09-2007, 02:21 PM	#6
Sam Hall UNSTOPPABLE Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: KC area Casino cash: $9895185	I wouldn't tell the media I was talking to Reggie Bush if I were McKnight. __________________
Posts: 8,137

02-09-2007, 02:26 PM	#7
Sam Hall UNSTOPPABLE Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: KC area Casino cash: $9895185	McKnight is supposed to be a key factor in SC's running game next year. He's one of those players who is a threat to go the distance whenever he has the ball from what I understand. The player he compares to is Reggie Bush. __________________
Posts: 8,137

02-09-2007, 07:36 PM	#8
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $2657050	Reggie Bush needs to get away from the program.....he's bringing bad shit constantly now. I also enjoy how Yahoo keeps "breaking stories" about USC...do they have some obsession?
Posts: 110,778

02-09-2007, 07:55 PM	#10
Demonpenz I got Rice cookin in the micro Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $3162136	mecca is allowed to blow only two recruits before signing da. NCAA rulebook 14:05 __________________
Posts: 54,266

02-09-2007, 08:11 PM	#13
88TG88 don't tell me about collage Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Los Angeles Casino cash: $10009184	supposedly pete called joey with bush on conference call. bush and mcknight never spoke only caroll. thats the story
Posts: 6,274

02-09-2007, 09:09 PM	#14
BWillie Future NBA Finals MVP Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Earth Casino cash: $2471241	Why is it such a big deal that a former player talks with a prospect? Big freaking deal, as long as they aren't givin' them money what is the problem. __________________ Who wants free money? Use the link below to sign up at Bovada, BetOnline, Black Chip Poker and Ignition. Contact me for private deals, spot bonuses, possible rakeback or any questions! Bovada, Ignition, BetOnline, Black Chip Poker: baldeaglepoker.com Bovada Poker is back! Get up to $500 poker deposit bonus.
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