Strange Moves: Reports Surface Frank Haith to Leave Mizzou for Tulsa

It's not often coaches leave a "Power" conference to move backwards.

But that's exactly what soon-to-be former Missouri head basketball coach Frank Haith appears to be doing. Multiple reports say Haith will leave the SEC East Division Tigers and replace Danny Manning at Conference USA's Tulsa.

There are conflicting reports as to why Haith would step down. CBSSports.com cites a source saying he bailed after a disappointing 2013-14 season where the fanbase seemingly turned on him for that and a team that had some off the court issues. That same source said if he tanked with the Tigers this season, Haith would be done.

Read the CBSSports.com story RIGHT HERE

The departure of Haith raises more eyebrows in the perception of SEC Basketball. It comes on the heels of Cuonzo Martin leaving Tennessee for the University of California and Tony Barbee being let go at Auburn. And the question by some is "All these coaches are black". In the SEC, it's a legitimate question.

But there's some explanation as well. Barbee did little to nothing at Auburn during his tenure there. Haith struggled at Missouri, but the reason behind him leaving can only be explained by him. As for Martin, that's the one we and many others question. Tennessee made it to this years Sweet16 in the NCAA Tournament and despite a "Non-Dominant" regular season, the Vols were a tough out in the SEC Tournament and the team nobody wanted to face in the NCAA's. Yet Martin had to endure a "Fire Cuonzo Martin" website and a petition with 30,000 signatures calling for his removal in Knoxville.

But what about Haith?

Time will tell. Could he be running? Could he be tired of being questioned at Missouri? Could Mizzou be headed for trouble? All legitimate questions. All because a coach left the green pastures of the SEC for the less green pastures of Conference USA. And for all the questions, there aren't a whole lot of answers.

What sayeth you?

U of Miami: No Major Penalties for NCAA Violations

Further proof that either the NCAA has no teeth, is hypocritical or clueless depending on your interpretation.

The University of Miami, long rumored to be in serious trouble due to former booster Nevin Shapiro, found out Tuesday morning what their penalty would be.

And thanks to some self-imposed restrictions, it wasn't too serious. No bowl ban for the football team, 3-years probation and 3 scholarship losses over each of the next 3-years. Several football assistants will serve "Show-Cause" penalties.

In addition; the basketball team will lose 3 scholarships and former head coach and current Missouri Coach Frank Haith will be suspended for 5 games.

The Hurricanes have imposed a bowl ban on their own the past 2 seasons and fully cooperated with the NCAA during the investigation. That according to reports, was a big factor in the relatively light sentence.

You can read more specifics from ESPN.com RIGHT HERE

The Hurricanes problems came to light in 2011 when Yahoo Sports did a detailed investigation and interview with Shapiro, convicted in his past of running a Ponzi scheme, and Shapiro spoke about lavish parties with players, handing money to them, wining and dining them over an 8-year period of time.

For their part, the school will pay a minor price and all parties will finally after 3-years of investigating, move on.

Reaction from WPLG-TV in Miami:

Miami On Notice With NCAA

((HT: WSVN-TV))

Miami's athletics program is now on the clock with the NCAA and they now have 90 days to respond to the letter of allegation set forth by the NCAA in their investigation in and around Nevin Shapiro...

Those words "lack of institutional control" are being bandied about...

And President Donna Shalala thinks the school has been punished enough and punished itself enough...

Thanks for that thought, Madame President...

You can't punish yourself... unless you really wanted your football team to go to the Belk Bowl...

In addition to the alleged 72 athletes Shapiro claims benefited in the football program, former head men's basketball coach Frank Haith has been named as part of the deal. He did address the letter after his win over Virginia:

"There was no unethical conduct in my notice of allegation," Haith said. "And it is just an allegation, so we get a chance to defend ourselves."

Haith is alleged of failing "to promote an atmosphere for compliance," a charge specific to how he handled things when Shapiro allegedly wanted money in exchange for not going public with accusations that he paid to help the Hurricanes recruit a player.

So, there's that...

Here's Steve Shapiro...with that and highlights...
WSVN-TV -

President Shalala wrote a rather lengthy rebuttal to the NCAA's allegations, saying in part:

"Despite their efforts over two and a half years, the NCAA enforcement staff could not find evidence of prostitution, expensive cars for players, expensive dinners paid for by boosters, player bounty payments, rampant alcohol and drug use, or the alleged hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and gifts given to student-athletes, as reported in the media. The fabricated story played well -- the facts did not."

The whole response can be found hyah, thanks again to WSVN...

Haith May Face NCAA Ethics Charge

((HT: KSHB-TV))

It looks like Uncle Nevin is coming back to bite people from behind bars, and one of them may be current Missouri head hoops coach Frank Haith.

According to a story on CBSSports.com, the NCAA may hit Haith with unethical conduct and failure to promote an atmosphere of compliance- two very serious charges that won't be taken lightly.

Nevin Shapiro had accused Haith of acknowledging a $10,000 payoff to land a commitment from DeQuan Jones while he was the Hurricanes head coach back in 2007.
The NCAA can't currently link the 10-grand to Jones and Haith, but they didn't believe his story on his assistants taking the money to repay Shapiro.

There will be a test later on...

Here's the early thoughts from Kansas City...