As if the Reggie Bush and O.J. Mayo investigations weren’t enough, USC could find itself on the wrong side of NCAA rules yet again, the Los Angeles Times is reporting.
Last season, USC utilized the services of a former NFL coach to help with special teams. That association with Pete Rodriguez may have violated NCAA guidelines involving coaching consultants and coaching-staff limits.
The Times reports that this latest development could cause the current investigation to widen, and once again brings the dreaded “lack of institutional control” to the surface.
According to NCAA bylaws, it’s forbidden for consultants to participate “in any on- or off-field or on- or off-court coaching activities,” unless they are counted against a team’s coaching limits. As noted by the paper, rules allow a consultant to interact with the coaching staff, but are not allowed to have contact with student-athletes.
In a telephone interview, Rodriguez admitted that he had interaction with players on the team.
“I didn’t coach the players at all... The players knew who I was because I’d show up for practice now and then. They’d say, ‘Hi’,” Rodriguez said.
In and of itself, this situation would likely not be a huge deal in the grand scheme of things.
Given the accusations of improper benefits made to Bush and Mayo, however, this could be the proverbial straw that breaks the NCAA’s back.