The University of Miami could be hearing from the NCAA very soon.
A university source said Saturday night that UM officials are expected to receive a draft of the NCAA’s notice of allegations regarding rule violations in the football and basketball programs “as early as Monday.” The source said that no major surprises were expected in the NCAA’s report.
The NCAA has been investigating UM for 22 months in connection with alleged improper benefits provided by Nevin Shapiro, a rogue booster and convicted Ponzi schemer, to dozens of football and basketball players. The case involves several former UM assistant coaches, including Jeff Stoutland and Joe Pannunzio, staff members at national champion Alabama.
According to an Associated Press report, the NCAA is scheduling meetings to discuss specific allegations with individuals who are believed to have committed violations found during the inquiry.
That’s a good indication that the investigative phase of the NCAA investigation is coming to a close.
The notice of allegations spells out what rule violations the NCAA’s probe has uncovered. Once UM is informed of the charges it faces, the school has 90 days to dispute the claims prior to making an appearance before the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions.
The committee on infractions typically takes about two to three months before it renders a decision. That means UM might not hear what sanctions it faces until May or June at the earliest.
UM self-imposed bowl bans after the 2011 and 2012 seasons with an eye toward softening future NCAA sanctions. Coach Al Golden has also said he is reducing the number of recruits signed this year in anticipation of scholarship cuts.
“I think we’ve been a beacon here in terms of how you should operate when something occurs,” Golden told WQAM-560 AM on Friday morning. “Hopefully, we’ll be the model of how you self-impose and how you make restitution and move a program forward.”
The notice of allegations might not be the only news UM receives Monday. The school has scheduled a Monday morning news conference at which three juniors — offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson, guard Brandon Linder and defensive tackle Curtis Porter — will announce whether they will return for their senior seasons or enter the NFL draft.
Linder has started every game at right guard for two consecutive seasons and earned All-ACC honorable mention last year. Henderson endured a turbulent 2012 season but started the Hurricanes’ final seven games at right tackle. Porter, dogged by a history of injuries, played only four games last season, including starts against USF and Duke.
Henderson was once considered a likely first-round pick, but in his career he has mixed impressive play with injuries and off-the-field situations that have kept him from living up to expectations. In 2009, Henderson was named USA Today’s High School Offensive Player of the Year, becoming the only linemen ever to receive the honor.
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