The NCAA suspended SMU coach Larry Brown for the first nine games of the upcoming 2015-16 season and postseason play for lack of coach control. In addition, his program was banned from post-season play for the 2015-2016 season and will be placed on three years probation and lose three scholarships for three straight years starting in 2016-17 — although SMU will be given credit for its self-imposed two-scholarship reduction for 2015-16, the NCAA announced.
The suspension comes after an investigation was completed into the academic eligibility of guard Keith Frazier. The NCAAs investigation proved Brown guilty of not reporting possible violations in his program, initially lying to the enforcement staff during the investigation and providing no specific guidance to his staff on rules compliance”.
This isnt Browns first time being found non-compliant with the NCAAs rules. Brown was first sanctioned as the coach of the UCLA Bruins, after having two ineligible players on the court during the 1980 NCAA tournament championship game loss against the Louisville Cardinals, which led their wins to be vacated. Then, after winning the NCAA tournament as the coach of the Kansas Jayhawks in 1988, KU was placed on probation for recruitment violations and banned from postseason play.
According to the NCAA report, Brown offered an apology, I realize, you know, in hindsight that was a terrible mistake on my part. I wish I could have changed all that. But we had that interview with the N.C.A.A., I dont know why I lied. You know, dealing with people that I really care about, and I used terrible judgment, and I tried to acknowledge that as quickly as I could, but it doesnt seem to make a difference. I realize that.
