Signiore Clavio beat us all to it today, way to be alert, sir. So Sampson and IU are our topic of discussion.

A lot to say about this, and we will indeed be covering this more extensively over the next few. Some early remarks on the matter herein, and you can find out more on the advent of the story under these links, next to the ones Thermocaster posted.

First, let’s start off with a podcast, done by myself and Galen Clavio, regarding this topic as it applies to Indiana University, Kelvin Sampson, and the NCAA.

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– First off, I will slightly deviate from the points posted regarding liability and blame set on the IU Athletic Dept and the institution’s administration. Along Galen’s lines, more available immediately upon the April 2006 hiring decision here.

Who are we kidding? At the time, with the Oklahoma case still pending, and just general remarks on the precise allegations on the phone calls’ violation matter dealt by the Infractions’ Committee, with IU in dire need of a proven recruiter with a name that could get fans, alums, and financial supporters once again interested in a top-caliber program after mediocre seasons with Mike Davis and the change of culture and recruiting that took place during Mike’s last few seasons, there might have been better options, but not many, and not many affordable to IU (like the cases of Calipari, Majerus, and the always fascinating efforts to squeeze O.J. out of lemons with Steve Alford).

– Having said that, we (as former Hoosier family members, I will take the liberty and use the 1st plural) did pay a lot, and we did the right thing going into the agreement with many safety nets and ways to ensure Compliance would be respected and the snafus at Oklahoma and other schools would not be repeated. Plus, we haven’t been sanctioned for a major infraction since 1960, although secondary violations are always on the rise, as is the case around the country however.

On Sampson’s contract more available here and here:

– Having the above elements clarified beyond Swarovski clarity, or at least that’s what a prudent observer would assume, there would be no excuses for further negligence when handling one’s business affairs. And at the crux of these affairs and meeting the standard of a “prudent DI coach”, would be to know not only the updates in regulations and policies set by the institution, conference, and Association, but even more so, know how to meet any higher standards, beset upon one exactly due to prior negligence (and I will submit here that those calls were negligent)…

– Hence, one cannot but safely presume that should the secondary violations, which Ice Miller established in their independent review of the program, be confirmed and reviewed eventually by the Infractions’ Committee, if there would be reason for sanctions against IU via Sampson being a repeat offender, then IU would have due cause to terminate him. Moreover, these legal fees are costing about $500 an hour with such independent counsel’s rates reaching ever escalating heights, and for more please refer to an excellent and insightful piece here.

– What might happen even at that unfortunate instance; IU would have recourse (Infractions’ Appeals Committee internally re: NCAA, court appeal if Sampson got some inexplicable 1^st degree favorable decision for wrongful termination on contractual claim). Sampson would have limited options, since clauses from what we have now were spelled out pretty clearly, as opposed to the Ohio State mess with Coach O’Brien and an almost incomprehensible series of legal challenges and court decisions finding that indeed OSU did not have cause firing the coach, and for more on such mishaps of the legal system:

O’Brien v. Ohio State University, 859 N.E.2d 607 (Ohio Misc. 2006)

O’Brien v. Ohio State University, 2007 Ohio App. LEXIS 4316 (September 20, 2007)

– What will happen may go something like this, and once more we had to resort to Pythia and the Delphi oracle that were so insightful and precise in the previous prophecy re: NY Knicks and Isiah Thomas, here. And for the non-believers, here’s the confirmation for the commencement of fulfilling the prophecy:

There may be many a hurdle in your path young man. Think nothing of it when your big man goes down. The young Hoosier kids will carry you through.

When in doubt the one named Jordan can cross the river.

But beware of the phone man… If he gets you in trouble know this: the Double D goes a long way.

And although the offspring of Greeks will draw a 31 and will win it all, have no fear… Two Ds and two Ms will make this the best place to be one day, know this and leave no doubt, that your graduates will enjoy a life of success and giving back to Ol’ IU.