USC to receive 2-year post season ban

Nothing says “legacy” like a post-season ban and loss of scholarships.

In a story that was first broke by ESPN’s Bruce Feldman, and then reported over at Sports by Brooks, USC will be given a two year post-season ban along with the loss of numerous scholarships.

The USC football program will receive a two-year postseason ban, a reduction in scholarships and a forfeiture of wins from at least the 2004 season when the NCAA releases its sanctions on Thursday, a source told ESPN’s Shelley Smith.

The Los Angeles Times reported the NCAA sanctions include the loss of more than 20 scholarships.

That in and of itself would be pretty bad, but, when you add to that the fact that USC just handed down self-imposed sanctions to its basketball team and relinquished any victories in between 2007-2008…then you end up with an institution who’s success has apparently been built on rule breaking.

Somewhere, all of this rule breaking is making Bill Belichick blush.

The football team’s problems seem to center around former star running back, Reggie Bush,

The school’s football team is under investigation for its dealing with Heisman Trophy-winning running back Reggie Bush, who played at the school from 2003 to ’05. If Bush is found retroactively ineligible, the Heisman Trust could strip him of his 2005 award.

The NCAA and investigators from the Pac-10 Conference have tried to determine whether Bush and his parents took improper benefits, including an alleged rent-free residence provided by a sports marketer. Bush has not met with NCAA and Pac-10 investigators and has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

USC chose to contest the allegation against the football program, hoping to overcome the perception of a lack of institutional control, which could result in significant sanctions, including scholarship reductions, TV and postseason bans, recruiting restrictions and probation. (via ESPN)

USC does have the right to appeal the decision, and it seems like they should, considering the steep consequences that would be levied on the school should the NCAA’s decision stand.

As for the current players?  USC Seniors and Juniors should be able to be recruited by others pending approval from NCAA.

Two years of playing meaningless games with a large contingent of underclassmen.

It’s a pretty good time to be the Seattle Seahawks head coach, isn’t it Mr. Carroll?

Tags: ban, College Football, Reggie Bush, USC

Category: Football