More details surrounding the story of Mississippi State, its former wide receivers coach and former Memphis-area recruits are coming forward.
It started when Bulldogs receivers coach Angelo Mirando stepped down suddenly eight days ago for what he claimed were unforeseen personal reasons. A few days later, it was reported by ESPN’s Joe Schad that Mirando resigned ”in the wake of an ongoing NCAA investigation into his recruitment of at least one Bulldogs player.” That player would later be identified as freshman Will Redmond.
MSU would only confirm that it was collaborating with the NCAA to “examine a potential recruiting irregularity,” which was apparently coming to an end shortly. Mirando (pictured) was replaced by former Minnesota coach Tim Brewster.
Now, through an open records request via the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, it’s apparent that the school has disassociated itself from a booster for engaging “in impermissible contact with the prospective student-athlete.”
The letter, which was written by MSU’s outside counsel Michael Glazier, is dated July 13 and addressed to a member of the Bulldog Club, MSU’s fundraising arm for athletics. The booster’s name has been redacted.
“The (NCAA) investigation has revealed that as a representative of Mississippi State’s athletic interests (Bulldog Club member), you engaged in impermissible contact with the prospective student-athlete and that other violations of NCAA rules also may have occurred,” the letter reads.
The letter refers to the following impermissible actions: A booster may not “participate in any organization recognized by the University as a supporter of the University’s athletic programs; assist the University in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes; make a financial or gift in kind contribution for the support of the University’s athletics programs; receive any privilege associated with Mississippi State athletics that is not available to the general public.”
The Memphis Commercial Appeal also reported Tuesday that two former Memphis-area recruits -- Georgia cornerback Sheldon Dawson and former Alabama signee Brandon Hill -- are connected to NCAA interviews with a Mississippi State interest, although the exact topics are unknown. Dawson is reportedly set to speak with the NCAA this Friday while Hill spoke with the NCAA six months ago.
Hill’s coach at St. George’s, Brent Hill, told the Commercial Appeal “We didn’t see anything dirty... I never witnessed anything, and neither did our kid.”
What does all of this mean for Mississippi State? Not sure yet.
It’s not the first time the NCAA has visited Memphis this month, either. Auburn running back Jovon Robinson has already been declared ineligible for this season after it was discovered that at least one of Robinson’s grades at Wooddale HigH School was changed by a guidance counselor without approval.