April 15, 2008
Albuquerque Journal
NCAA Clears One Ex-Lobo Assistant
By Greg Archuleta, Journal Staff WriterThe University of New Mexico will have fewer charges to answer Friday when it meets with the NCAA Infractions Committee over allegations of major rules violations involving the football program.
Athletics director Paul Krebs said Monday the NCAA has cleared one of three former assistants whom it said obstructed the investigation by talking about it with other Lobo coaches.
UNM made the NCAA allegations public in September. They involved two assistant coaches helping athletes obtain fraudulent academic credit in the spring of 2004 and fall of 2005 and a third assistant obstructing the investigation.
In January, UNM admitted to three violations after an internal investigation, but said it found no evidence of the third assistant obstructing the investigation.
None of the assistants remain at UNM.
Krebs said the assistant was on staff at the time but no longer works at UNM. Former defensive coordinator Osia Lewis is the only assistant who was on staff at that time, but is no longer with the team.
Krebs, president David Schmidly, head coach Rocky Long, director for admissions and compliance Janice Ruggeiro and faculty representative Breda Bova will comprise the party appearing before the NCAA in Indianapolis.
"I really don't know what to expect," Krebs said of the session with the NCAA. "I know that we have a hearing. We will be there, along with some individuals identified in the cases. We'll have our opportunity to speak with the infractions committee, as well as the individuals charged with the violations."
Long refused comment on the matter.
The school put the program on a two-year probation period, forfeited one initial scholarship and two from the 85 maximum allowable for 2008 among other penalties.
Krebs said he expects the committee to take six to eight weeks before it issues a finding on the case.
UNM can appeal the findings, especially if the NCAA adds penalties.
FINALLY, A PROPOSAL: Long acknowledged that his attorney has received UNM's contract offer. His current deal runs out at the end of 2009.
"My lawyer has received the first draft of a contract proposal," Long said, "and he's still processing it."
He refuses to elaborate whether the sides were close in the initial draft.
Krebs continued to say the sides have had productive discussions.
ON THE FIELD: Sophomore Michael Love moved from running back to safety Monday. ... Defensive end Kevin Balogun missed practice after learning of the death of his grandmother.