Miami Has Nothing To Fear, But Fear Itself

Tomorrow, when the NCAA finally releases their findings on the long running investigation into alleged transgressions by a certain rogue athletic booster and several former athletes at the University of Miami, many college football fans may be surprised to know that there will be no fear in Coral Gables.

The University of Miami administration, athletic department and current coaching staff has done everything exactly as dictated by the NCAA play book when it comes to coming clean, being cooperative and reporting what they know to be true in terms of the reported allegations.

In fact, it could be argued that Miami, above all other NCAA athletic institutions, has set the standard by which all others will be judged in terms of cooperation with an NCAA investigation.

UM not only opened their athletic doors, but their financial books. They allowed access to coaches and athletes to answer all questions from NCAA investigators in what can only be described as an unprecedented manner.

Then Miami took decisive action well before the NCAA hammer could drop on the Hurricanes:

1. Miami self-imposed two consecutive bowl bans.
2. Miami chose not to compete in their own conference championship.
3. Miami reduced recruiting visits
4. Miami reduced scholarship players in two sports.
5. Miami even went so far as to suspended players in football and basketball until they payed back "illegal benefits" or were cleared to participate in athletic events by the NCAA authorities.

When all combined, these actions are something that has never been done by any other NCAA institution anywhere, at anytime, by any school. That will certainly be respected by the powers that be.

So as the official announcement comes out tomorrow around 10 AM, and the blogs and Twitter start swirling, Miami Hurricane fans will have absolutely nothing to fear but fear itself.

And everyone knows that Miami has no reason to be afraid of the NCAA.

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Comments

[j.w.w]

!

[CaneRock]

ARTIE BURNS! YOU KNOW...UNO!

[j.w.w]

I did it!!!! And Randy Phillips is a Cane no more.

[TonyCane]

Yamma Yamma!

[IraqiCane]

BAM!!

[j.w.]

And for all those who care- the extra w is part of the name, just don't usually use it here. :)

[CaneRock]

"When all combined, these actions are something that has never been done by any other NCAA institution anywhere, at anytime, by any school. That will certainly be respected by the powers that be."

And I'll add a #6...the ACC Commish has sided with us PUBLICLY, and PERSONALLY in front of the clowns in Indy. I don't even think the SEC does that.

[usagainsttheworld]

No fear. Its usagainsttheworld!

[Sinistercane]

Is it Zero Dark Monday's, mighty quiet tonight

[SOUP]

Zero Dark Tuesday?

Navy seals work in silence...

[SOUP]

OK, I tried Twitter but now I am done. It is BAD, really bad over there. Don't look now but former UM player Randy Phillips sold out the U to Shandel Richardson of ALL people.

[laquinton]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/um-hurricanes/fl-randy-phillips-hurricanes-ncaa-1022-20131031,0,7042914.story?page=1

Man
This guy

[TGU_CANE]

We have already been wronged by the NCAA. We should not get any more sanctions than those we self impossed. If we do, Miami should not only appeal, but must sue the NCAA.

[WWIN]

Dammit Randy Phillips ya jackass you suppose to at least wait till we appeal before you start dry snitching ya rat bastard!!!

[Ohio_Cane]

Randy Phillips' Cane card = REVOKED

[TonyCane]

"We were playing hard for Nevin, for the money," Phillips said...

So if that logic is true, that explains why the team collapsed in the second half of 2009.

Still...playing hard? Sorry, I have too bad memories from that time period. Louisville (2006). Virginia (2007). California (2008).

[TonyCane]

In all of this, why hasn't Larry Coker's name been brought up?

[Terrance Sullivan]

Smfh at Randy Phillips. Great article Soup!

[TonyCane]

A few Lord of the Rings quotes before going to bed on this night....

“A day may come when the courage of men fails… but it is not THIS day.”

“The board is set, the pieces are moving. We come to it at last, the great battle of our time.”

“I thought up an ending for my book. ‘And he lives happily ever after, till the end of his days.’”

[SOUP]

I am so angry.

[Terrance Sullivan]

I am really angry to and F Shandel also.

[Ohio_Cane]

Deep breaths, SOUP. Deep breaths. It will all be over in about 10.5 hours. Those who didn't stand by the U will be remembered and bashed for life for their actions

[SOUP]

Ohio...I have written and then deleted (before actually posting) more comments tonight than ever before.

[Panamacitycane]

im just glad it will finally get out of the way. just hope that the NCAA doesnt ruin what these kids and staff have busted their butts for. all the patience and hard work is slowly paying off and to be swept from under them would be terrible and would go to show how crappy the NCAA really is.

[SOUP]

I would NEVER advocate for violence but are U gonna tell me that the hood rats aren't gonna do something? I would be surprised if they don't?

[CaneRock]

I would NEVER advocate for violence but are U gonna tell me that the hood rats aren't gonna do something?

Posted by: SOUP | October 22, 2013 at 12:37 AM

Maybe they will...maybe they won't.
But if they do "do something", the PLAYERS can do something to, like uhhhhhhh, refusing to play on November 2nd? I'm tellin' you, these players just don't understand how much power they wield. I would've pulled a Grambling State on the NC-Double-A-Holes!

[Montreal-Cane]

Great article SOUP i hope this is what we will hear tomorrow...Facts...

I will say it one more time at worst if we get more sanctions, it will be 5 ships per year for 3 years...Total 15.

For basketball, i have no idea but 2 former coaches will be suspended for at least a year.

[Montreal-Cane]

Shandel Richardson is a chicken. He refused to answer as to when he talked to the rat Phillips...The poor reporter is desperate to publish his trash less than 10 hours before the NCAA announcement.

Poor guy he could not keep his job as beat writer covering the Canes.

Enough said!

[NativeCane]

What kind of man sells his soul for a few trinkets?

Glad when this last sickening episode is over!

Ready to put this sorry episode behind us, beat Wake Forest and head to Tally for the big showdown!

DEM CANES!!!

[UMike]

I would NEVER advocate for violence but are U gonna tell me that the hood rats aren't gonna do something? I would be surprised if they don't?

Posted by: SOUP | October 22, 2013 at 12:37 AM

I'm pretty sure slutty ghetto girls (hood rats) aren't going to do anything to Phillips haha But we get your point lol

[UMike]

I love this line from Phillips..

"I know if [Shapiro] said it, he did it," Phillips said. "There were no lies in there, not to my knowledge. … The stuff that he said [in the Yahoo Sports! article], he had already told me had happened."

So just like the NCAA, if Shapiro said it, it must be true lol

[UMike]

Hurricane coach Al Golden, who has dealt with the NCAA investigation since his first fall practice, declined to address Tuesday impending announcement after participating in his weekly radio segment Monday night in Coconut Grove.

“I’m not going to get into it, guys. I apologize. I haven’t talked to the president or the AD," said Golden, when approached by a throng of reporters outside of Sandbar Grill, site of Hurricane Hotline.

Asked what he said to his players, Golden didn't budge.

“Guys, I’ve been respectful as you can be for 28 months," Golden said. "I don't know anything that you guys don’t know and I haven’t talked to either of my superiors. So in deference to that, I’m not going to comment on anything."

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/umiami/2013/10/hurricane-coach-al-golden-who-has-dealt-with-the-ncaa-investigation-since-his-first-fall-practice-declined-to-address-the-i.html#storylink=cpy

[UMike]

Before the news broke concerning the announcement of the impending NCAA sanctions, Al Golden's Miami Hurricanes began preparing for their next game against Wake Forest by trying to block out the outside noise of being ranked seventh in the BCS as well as the mega-matchup with No. 2 Florida State a week from Saturday.

"I wouldn't say [there has been] slippage, but it's a challenge," Golden said of blocking out the distractions.

"There is cheese all around them. Don't take the cheese. Don't take the trap. You have a guy here or there that all of a sudden they're seduced by it. They want to hear about it. They want to talk about it. It has nothing to do with the outcome. Doing your job, preparing, asking questions, being engaged, doing your role -- all those little things that's what we need to focus on. That's what we need leadership for."

Golden said he completely ignored the movement up the polls this weekend, went out to dinner with his wife Saturday night and didn't watch any of Florida State's blowout win at Clemson.

"We're going to continue to ignore it," Golden said of the polls and hype surrounding the team. "I need the coaches to do that. I need the players to do that. I need anybody that touches a Miami Hurricane to do that. Families, academic support, strength and conditioning, training room, it doesn't matter. We got to make sure we're all on the same page and keeping the guys focused on what we need to do because the rest of it doesn't matter. The rest of it will take care of itself if we take care of our business and do our job everyday."

That challenge figures to get harder Tuesday. Two hours after the NCAA makes its sanctions public to the media at 10 a.m., Golden and his players are scheduled to meet with reporters again around noon.

RODGERS STILL NOT HEALTHY

Starting safety Kacy Rodgers was the only player injured last week at North Carolina aside from receiver Phillip Dorsett (expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a slight tear of his MCL) to not practice on Monday.

"Kacy is probable right now," Golden said. "We're being careful with him early in the week because he's still in the recovery phase if you will. Once they take him from taking it slow in recovery to the rehabilitation phase we'll know more, which will probably be Wednesday. I'm hopeful for Kacy."

Quarterback Stephen Morris (ankle), running back Duke Johnson (head), safeties Deon Bush (leg), Rayshawn Jenkins (leg), receiver Rashawn Scott (shoulder) and running back Walter Tucker "were all fine [Monday]." Golden said.

> Offensive guard Danny Isidora (foot) went to see a doctor Monday to get cleared to play, Golden said.

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/umiami/2013/10/before-ncaa-sanctions-news-broke-canes-were-already-trying-to-block-out-distractions.html#storylink=cpy

[UMike]

David Njoku is an athletic 6'4 wide receiver. He is also the New Jersey High Jump champion with a personal best of 7 feet. You can't coach that type of size and athleticism. He hails from a state that Miami has had success recruiting in, New Jersey.

David Njoku has helped lead his Cedar Grove team to a record 5-1.

"It's a big responsibility as a senior because my team counts on me. The other captains and I make sure we lead the right way. We won the state championship when I was a sophomore, and are trying to win another state championship this year."

As a senior, David Njoku has been very successful. Through 6 games, Njoku has accumulated very impressive stats: 13 carries 173 yards, 3 tds, 21 receptions 478 yards and 7 touchdowns. Njoku also has 23 tackles, 1 interception, and 220 KR + PR yardage.

"Yeah they have me playing everywhere. I'm doing my best at everything I can and giving 100% of my effort."

Njoku recently decommitted from Rutgers and opened up his recruitment.

"After visiting a few schools I decided it would be better for me to look at all my options. Rutgers is a great school, but I wanted to make sure I was making the right decision."

"Right now I am looking at Miami, Penn State, Ohio state, Temple, and Boston college."

The versatile athlete has been in communication with coach Carroll after he received an offer.

"I talk to coach Carroll. I had previously talked to coach Golden. Coach Carroll is telling me I could come in and be a big WR for them. Every week he informs me of how the team is doing, and we keep in contact."

Njoku has sincere interest in the 'Canes.

"I am very interested in Miami. I want to get down there for a visit."

http://www.canesinsight.com/content/2096-Interview-with-David-Njoku

[canezilla]

In all of this, why hasn't Larry Coker's name been brought up?

Posted by: TonyCane | October 22, 2013 at 12:17 AM
HE WASN'NT DOWN WITH THE BRIZOWN

[BigWindyCane1]

Good article Soup!

I am done with Randy Phillips. He was a mediocre safety, and he sold out the U on and off the field. Golden would not have knuckleheads like him in his locker room. I hope Phillips is banned from the Canes facilities.

[UMike]

I know Phillips refused to talk to the NCAA, but if Miami ends up appealing, is this article something that can be held against UM?

[Sinistercane]

I truly hate wqam. Our so call flagship station has a segment with our most heated rival but it is the only morning show that has a app :(

[CanesGuest]

Phillips is lying... Someone paid him off... The claims he makes in that article are so outlandish and exaggerated they almost seem satirical

Hoping all goes well today

GO CANES

[MassivCane]

IMHO I would think some of these players were retained for a certain dollar amount. It seemed most of the players that spoke out never really had a career after UM. They probably do this for the money and don't think about any of the repercussions. Good luck today Canes. I am more nervous today then the 4th quarter of the UNC game.

[UMike]

I don't think Phillips is lying, but I do think he was used and very naive. How you gonna let someone call you the "Queen Bee" lol..thats some punk shyt right there.

The stuff that Phillips says actually seem like they could be true. I dont think the claims were outlandish outside of maybe the $50K bets, but getting a hundred here and there for groceries, help for his baby etc all seem true and something that probably goes on at every college.

[raizecane]

So my birthday was this past Sunday (turned 50) and all I wished for was an end to this whole NCAA BS. It looks like I will get my wish sometime today.

Let's just hope the punishment is not USC style but more like Oregan style.

[UMike]

Happy bday old timer..dont look close to 50 dude!

[Keoki]

Everyone chill!

F' the Turds, $EC, & NCAA BS!!!
This is their last shot at us, but we shall overcome!

[UMike]

Oh and in cased you missed it, that 2015 DT Daylon Mack from TX who had Miami in front despite not having an offer etc etc etc... He committed to Texas A&M.

[UMike]

The NCAA, in years and years of fashioning its own dubious reputation, has proved it can be harshly punitive, weirdly persnickety, frustratingly arduous and illogically inconsistent.

Now college sports’ monolithic governing body has a chance to show itself as something else entirely.

It has a chance to be reasonable.

It has a chance to be fair.

Tuesday at long last will end more than 1,000 days of scrutiny of University of Miami athletics in the matter of former renegade-booster Nevin Shapiro, a probe that centered mostly on football and has cost that program the most.

Hallelujah for a resolution at last, but now hold your breath, because the NCAA Committee on Infractions — judge, jury and executioner — will do as it pleases in terms of additional sanctions, and predicting what those might be is impossible.

The feeling here is that Miami almost certainly will be hit with more penalties, in part because the NCAA must publicly justify the exceptional time and cost of this investigation.

There are so many reasons, though, why any additional penalties should be minor and should not include another postseason ban in football.

Coach Al Golden’s Hurricanes are 6-0 and ranked No. 7 in the initial Bowl Championship Series standings. They have made this a special season despite operating under the ongoing distraction and threat of sanctions that have hung over the program like a glistening guillotine for too long.

It would be a shame if the reward at the end of this season were taken away, and the shame would be the NCAA’s.

Golden walked blindsided into this investigation; he inherited it in coming here from Temple. Not a single player on the current team had anything to do with the improper benefits orchestrated by Shapiro.

Be reasonable

What’s reasonable? What’s fair? This:

An NCAA decision Tuesday that reflects that Golden and his current players, all guiltless, should not be made to further suffer because since-departed players under former coaches and previous athletic administrators took handouts from a single lawless booster presently serving hard time on a Ponzi conviction.

If only to save face, I’d expect the NCAA to perhaps fine the university, curtail a few more scholarships, impose recruiting restrictions or assign the program to probation if it feels more punishment is necessary.

But do not take away the postseason reward this team is earning with the year it is having. That will be the Litmus test for whether the NCAA’s verdict can be seen as reasonable and fair, or should be viewed instead as piling on.

Miami could appeal a postseason ban and likely still compete in a bowl, but that would only elongate an already ponderous investigation and shift the threat of a ban into next season.

Enough!

There are so many reasons while leniency, not vindictiveness, should now be the NCAA’s course.

We have already mentioned that today’s coaches and players knew nothing of Shapiro and should not be made to pay for others’ sins.

We have already alluded to the fact the central figure and accuser in all of this is a convicted liar and thief who probably should not rank among the most credible witnesses there ever was.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/10/22/3703412/greg-cote-ncaa-should-not-make.html#storylink=cpy

[Ohio_Cane]

@GregLikens: BREAKING: According to @JoeRoseShow sources, Miami's football program will lose 3 scholarships per year over the next 3 years

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ohio_Cane]

No bowl ban!!!

[Ohio_Cane]

@JGJr9: Rose says some minor visits penalties are also included.

[Ohio_Cane]

The U is FREEEEEEEEEEE!!!

86, Free Fallin with a YouTube vid would be a great idea!!