DISQUS

Michael · 2 years ago

Why does everyone have to keep trying to drum up more negativity and talk about "what-ifs?" Lets just wait until the NCAA rules on it and be done with it. There's nothing good that can come from dwelling on this.

We have a basketball team here at this University that can do great things this year and we just signed a solid recruit to an already solid 2008 class. Good things are in store for the Hoosiers this year. Let's focus on that. Don't stoop down to the lowly level of the Herald Times, the gossip newspaper who is just trying to sell an article.

As for Kelvin Sampson, maybe he is a cheat or maybe he's the classy guy I thought he was 3 weeks ago. Whatever he is, he's a great coach. BUT NO ONE HAS PROVEN THAT HE HAS INTENTIONALLY CHEATED and until that is proven, I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt. Lets support him and this team. Put the naysaying to rest. It only hurts our university and our basketball program.

Galena Scott · 2 years ago

I would like to think that Sampson wanted Senderoff to stay; but, as the days went along, Sampson could not convince Greespan to keep Senderoff as our Assistant Coach. I can't help but feel that Sampson lost this battle within the Department of Athletics. I don't know why there was a change of direction regarding Senderoff's leadership. It appears from the published report that Senderoff intentionally avoided protocol on phone calls and attempted to hide making home phone calls to recruits. Greenspan evidently recognized that there was no way to avoid the intentionality factor in Senderoff's behavior. He was indeed a great recruiter and I think that he will find a great job recruiting in another conference. I think the NCAA Report will make Senderoff face some sanctions at another school before he can resume employment.

Zach · 2 years ago

I agree with your comment Michael. I've also been one stating that intent plays a big part in my opinion on this whole situation. However, it's something we will never know.

Also, with the situation the staff was in the last year, with Sampson being barred from calling recruits or leaving campus, you would figure they would do absolutely everything in their power to not put their hand back in the cookie jar.

And that's my big problem with all of this, regardless if the intent was there or not, this situation is pathetic and it's wrong either way.

Tim · 2 years ago

I've said since the beginning I probably would have fired Sampson and the whole lot. They embarrassed the University, have since lied ("I didn't look at the caller ID," "I didn't know Rob was on the line," ect.), have provide pitiful escuses ("We're making thousands of calls," "They're only secondary violations," "We did a pretty good job," ect.), and have shown what I would classify as zero remorse (go back to the Oct. 14 transcript, nowhere do the words "sorry" or "apology" appear toward IU or the NCAA, and they have not been uttered any time since).

I also said then that minor and secondary these violations may be, at this school, with this coach, in this year, and with the restrictions in place; THIS COULD NOT HAPPEN. But it did, and we are all living in the fallout with the often-asked, rarely answered question, "How could this happen?"

So I'm not going to shed a single tear over the "voluntary" resignation of Rob Senderoff. If anyone wants to defend him, call him a "fall guy", and rue this result (Katz, Goodman, etc.) then they should push for him to be hired at their respective alma maters, where he can go about embarrasing some school that I don't give a mouse's mule about. At worst Senderoff was the instigator, slightly better would portray him as a willing participant in the violations, best case scenario would be if he were simply an incompetent moron. In any case, not the profile of a coach at Indiana University. I'm not naive enough to believe that Senderoff was a "lone dialer." But he was the one with the phone in his hand.

The question does remain though: If this is enough to fire Senderoff, why isn't it enough to fire Sampson?

I can find some solace in that these are secondary violations and did not provide any unfair competitive advantage that would tarnish on-court results. Seriously, nobody bribing anyone with Blazers. I can also have pride in the Athletic Department's work on the compliance front, to find the infractions, investigate them, report them, and apply punishment. Not only was there no thought of a cover up, like many schools have attempted, there was an active effort to find any possible violations. That leaves me with a strong faith in the athletic department and somewhat with Rick Greenspan.

I want to go back to a point that probably keeps me more riled up than anything else. Kelvin Sampson, you are a highly paid, high profile employee of my university. Your actions brought severe shame and embarrassment on my university. Will you at least apologize?

Tim · 2 years ago

OMG, can you guys do something about that effin Kansas banner on the page? I really don't need any encouragement to snap right now.

Big A · 2 years ago

Tim,

Consider it done my friend. Could be a couple hours before it takes effect, though.

Brian · 2 years ago

Come on now. If anyone thinks Sampson wasn't the main person in this, he/she is crazy. His history speaks for itself. What is Senderoff's history in his 15 years ?? Nada...ask Jim Christian at Kent St what kind of coach Rob is. What is Senderoff is supposed to do if Sampson has him illegally call recruits. Tell the high and mighty Kelvin no ? Sure, then get fired and you can't go the press, cause then you're blackballed from the coaching fraternity. He did what he had to do, and in the end took the bullet for Kelvin Sampson.

Bob · 2 years ago

Senderoff took the bullet. I don't think the cannon fire that is going to come from the NCAA will be aimed at anyone besides Sampson. I think we are naive to think that this is over by any means and the severe self imposed sanctions that IU imposed tells me that they think that the NCAA will not be happy with these actions by the IU staff. I agree with Brian, Senderoff was not acting alone.

kelin · 2 years ago

For me the report does not raise anymore questions other than pointing more at Senderoff and more details on what was done. KS hands are not "as dirty" as people are making things out to be if you are using the report as evidence. Yes we can speculate on what he did and did not know, but if you are looking at the report as the basis of what you believe then KS is not the "cheater" people are saying. Is he responsible for his coaching staff...Yes, but he is not the compliance office, he is not their dad and Senderoff is a big boy making his own decisions.

What I have read is KS has been forward with everything he has done as far as phone records etc and he has complied. Are the 3-way phone calls suspicious? A little but I will not call him a "cheat and liar"....why not? ALL of us believed KS when he said Eric Gordon and his family made the first contact with him to let the staff know he was interested in IU despite committing to UI.....we took him at his word for EJ cause it benefited them and us....whay can't we do so now.....?

MajorBeef · 2 years ago

I think it was shady on all levels.

If they intended on getting rid of Senderoff then it should have been done weeks ago. I am not sure what was gleaned from the new Ice Miller report that all of a sudden made it necessary to make him resign.

Deep down I think something really stinks, and I don't think Rob Senderoff was the issue.

Brian · 2 years ago

I agree with MajorBeef...something stinks, and the trail comes from Norman, Oklahoma

adam · 2 years ago

Couldn't agree with you more about Rick Greenspan. He lacks poise and is an embarrasment to the university.

knasmiley · 2 years ago

I think that smell is coming from our western neighbors.............


SNORE SNORE SNORE.........

Read the facts and get back to me............

benedict · 2 years ago

I am with Tim also...if this is enough to fire Senderoff, what makes Sampson any better?? He is the one that has been barred from recruiting, & for Gods sake, did Senderoff twist his head coachs arm to make him talk to the recruits on 3 way?? Sampson is SUPPOSED to be a big boy TOO!! He is the cheater & HAS BEEN!!!

Craig · 2 years ago

Mike DeCourcey wrote a great column about the unfairness around the firing of Senderoff.

http://www.sportingnews.com/experts/mike-decour...

Definitely worth the read.