Todd McNair, running backs coach for the University of Southern California's football team and a central figure in the NCAA investigation for allegedly knowing Reggie Bush was receiving illegal benefits, has been relieved of his duties, according to Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times.
While this move may seem as a way to help strengthen USC's appeal now that McNair is gone, McNair's contract ends today. Per the report:
"Todd McNair’s contract expired on June 30, 2010," Coach Lane Kiffin said. "We have no additional comment."
Reading into Kiffin's comments, it seems clear that Kiffin will look elsewhere to find a coach to replace McNair.
McNair was tied into the NCAA investigation regarding Reggie Bush receiving improper benefits for knowing Lloyd Lake and Michael Michaels, the sports agent funding Reggie Bush. A photo of McNair, his friend Faizon Love, and both Michaels and Lake, was revealed yesterday by USCFootball.com, a website among the Rivals.com network, that was used by the NCAA investigators to help determine that McNair knew. McNair does not recount the night and says he may have took the picture because of his and Love's celebrity status.
Hours after the LA Times report, USC released this statement:
"USC's appeal of the NCAA's ruling includes an appeal of the findings and sanctions related to Mr. McNair."
Both USC and McNair have appealed the Committee on Infractions' findings and sanctions.
Only offensive coordinator, John Morton, remains as the lone member in the coaching staff when he was also a coach for Pete Carroll's staff when he was head coach at USC.
McNair also was in charge of recruiting in the Los Angeles area, linking with Crenshaw High School prospects running back De'Anthony Thomas and offensive lineman, Marcus Martin. After the NCAA released their report on USC, McNair was banned from recruiting for USC for one year. McNair was still part of the coaching staff, but was not seen around Heritage Hall.
McNair had been with USC since 2004.
Loading comments...