November 07, 2003
Ole Miss Could Face Harsh Sanctions
Rebel's running back Ronald McLendon sat out against South Carolina last week as Cutcliffe was investigating "possible rules violations." According to the Clarion Ledger, the violations could have been NCAA infractions involving the purchase of an SUV.
Rumors circulating on Ole Miss message boards today have suggested that the Rebels may forfeit games in which McLendon has played and possibly self-impose a bowl ban for this season. Take it with a grain of salt, but keep in mind that bad news in the SEC is often leaked through message boards.
More as this story develops.
[Hat tip: Sean McDonald]
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TigerEducated says:
posted on November 7, 2003 05:44 PM — linkPete, that's definitely not good news heading into your biggest two game stretch of the year, I'll say that much.
I'll say something else, too.
Trouble has followed Ronald McClendon around since he was 18 years old. He's from Louisiana, and to be honest, this is not the first time NCAA rumors have swirled around both he and the program he was associated with at the time.
LSU was hot and heavy after McClendon, but Ronald ended up signing with-of all possible options-Tulane out of high school. No one could believe that this kid would end up at Tulane over LSU, but later, it was found out that McClendon wasn't going to make the grades to get into Tulane.
It later surfaced that McClendon-before his academic troubles came to light-had been seen driving around a new SUV. Anyone who kept up with McClendon's recruitment knew that he nor his family had the means to have one, and it had more than one suspicious glares being cast at first.
This new rumor is quite ugly, but not altogether a shock for this Tiger fan.
Pete Holiday says:
posted on November 7, 2003 05:55 PM — linkThere's still nothing solid, and lots of the Ole Miss folks are saying this is making something out of nothing, so we'll just have to see how it plays out. Though if he did receive improper benefits, it could get ugly.
I can't help but laugh at things like this, though. Any time something like this happens all of the other SEC schools gather around in a circle and point and laugh... only to be red-faced months later when something comes out about them.
TigerEducated says:
posted on November 7, 2003 08:58 PM — linkI can assure you that the time has past for schools to openly ridicule each other. It's become a burgeoning, mushrooming, and ongoing problem.
I think we need to give compliance officers more enforcement abilities and more autonomy from the schools (appointed by the SEC, or the NCAA; NOT the school itself).
The SEC takes a hit in credibility anytime one of its own member institutions is caught with their hand in the credit report.....err....I mean, Cookie Jar.
Now, fans of opposing schools, such as myself, have free reign to make themselves merry in the face of other's misery. It's a time honored tradition. I don't necessarily do anything more than make superficial references in passing (Such as Ole Missy, the mascot crack, or the Payroll Tide Bammer comments).
I will say that if you guys did your homework on him, the kid had problems with compliance long before you guys found this diamond in the rough.
I've often wondered how Ole Miss has attracted any talent without the last name of Manning to Oxford. I mean, Faulkner's former residence and a few beautiful women aside, it's not exactly a bastion of culture and refinement. Antiquated and quaint comes to mind, but that doesn't exactly have the same ring or appeal to it as a metropolitan area like Baton Rouge or Athens or Gainesville has to an 18-20 year old possible recruit to an SEC school.
Turning to another point you made, just take a look through our program, Pete. Name me one dubious recruitment. One possible question during the Saban Era. Puh-wease.
I feel your pain inasmuch as not liking any win, victory, or opponent to be at less than full strength, or have any excuses for less than a 100% effort when they lace up the cleats versus Louisiana State University. But, on the other hand, this development will be a heckuva excuse to use if you get pasted in either of the next two weeks, which there will be a distinct possibility of.
In the famous words of a former President, "I feel your pain..."
Geaux Tigers!
Chris Lawrence says:
posted on November 7, 2003 09:14 PM — linkOuch, but not entirely unexpected; that was the rumor floating around Oxford.
From Signifying Nothing
pinged on Nov 7, 2003 9:31 PMThe Jackson Clarion-Ledger reports that Rebel running back Ronald “Goldie” McLendon is being investigated for possible rules violations in connection with the purchase of an...
Chris Lawrence says:
posted on November 8, 2003 01:28 AM — linkAfter doing a bit of reading around, it seems unlikely there will be any forfeits, unless there was evidence that the coaching staff knew of the potential violation before the Arkansas game. That they have held him out of games (at least SC and Auburn) suggests they acted as soon as they knew there might be trouble.
That being said, who knows what the NCAA will do if they're casting about for another sacrificial lamb.
