Things with Mississippi State and the NCAA over the allegations of impermissible benefits don’t seem to be getting better after an appearance by a summer 7-0n-7 coach on the Head to Head radio show Tuesday afternoon.
Byron De’Vinner, a summertime 7-on-7 football coach in Nashville, told the radio show he witnessed a money handshake between MSU defensive back Will Redmond and a booster. De’Vinner later confirmed to the Jackson Clarion-Ledger that the “handshake” included “about $200.”
The NCAA has been investigating MSU over possible “recruiting irregularity” which reportedly involves Redmond. The school later confirmed it was working with the NCAA to figure out specifics. News of the NCAA’s interest came late last month on the heels of the resignation of Bulldogs wide receivers coach Angelo Mirando.
While Mirando’s resignation was attributed to “personal reasons”, but ESPN’s Joe Schad reported that Mirando resigned ”in the wake of an ongoing NCAA investigation into his recruitment of at least one Bulldogs player [reportedly Redmond].” Per the Tuesday radio interview, De’Vinner says Mirando was aware of the reported money handshake between the booster and Redmond.
“Will Redmond is a kid that was basically taken advantage of by a booster and by an assistant coach,” De’Vinner said on the radio show.
De’Vinner, who said he is close Redmond’s family, refuted that the booster purchased a Ford Mustang for Redmond.
“But did I physically see inappropriate benefits? Yes, I did,” De’Vinner said, adding that the booster said he mailed Redmond a jacket and “lined up some other things.”
The report from the Clarion-Ledger does not say if the booster was a representative from MSU. Late last month, the school disassociated itself from a booster for engaging “in impermissible contact with the prospective student-athlete.” The name of the booster was redacted, but it was determined to be a member of the Bulldog Club.
De’Vinner also told the paper he interviewed for a job at Mississippi State in January. He adds that he has cooperated with both NCAA investigators and MSU compliance during the investigation.