Following up on an initial rumor that began circulating late last week, it looks as though former USC running backs coach Todd McNair is, indeed, suing the NCAA for damages for libel, slander, breach of contract and negligence. The suit also alleges that NCAA officials “arbitrarily and capriciously decided to ruin his [McNair’s] career to further their own agenda.”
McNair previously appealed the NCAA’s findings against USC and then-running back Reggie Bush, claiming the NCAA’s “Committee on Infractions and investigative staff committed misconduct and mischaracterized facts [against him]”. The appeal was denied in late April.
A full text of the suit can be seen HERE. The real meat of the lawsuit begins at about page three. Below are a couple excerpts from the first clause of action (libel):
“Despite a complete lack of evidence that Plaintiff TODD MCNAIR did anything wrong, let alone committing acts amounting to unethical conduct, and despite the NCAA’s own internal regulations mandating that the evidence must be “clear and convincing” of wrongdoing to result in such a finding, Defendants, and each of them, in an arbitrary and capricious manner, disregarded their internal regulations, processes and procedures to reach a finding that TODD MCNAIR committed unethical conduct.”
“Plaintiff is informed and believes, and on that basis alleges, that Defendants, and each of them, made false statements... with knowledge that they were false or otherwise fabricated, intended the false statements to be published in a manner that would harm Plaintiff and... disregarded the fact that they would cause Plaintiff to suffer substantial damages.”
As you can gather, McNair is 1) still fighting the notion that he was even a knowing participant and enabler in the Reggie Bush saga and 2) that falsified statements have effectively, and unfairly, ended his career as a coach.
McNair will be represented by Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP, which filed the suit in L.A. County Superior Court.
(Thanks: Orange County Register)