Ken Caldwell takes to YouTube to defend himself after UCF issues

((ht: sportingnews))

This is just plain weird.

Ken Caldwell, the man who the NCAA says provided benefits to some college basketball and football prospects along with 2 UCF student-athletes says this was "Blown out of proportion".

Oh...apparently he got in trouble because he has a "Criminal Background".

What he fails to mention is his ties to ASM Sports. He says he "Knows them", but that is it. Caldwell claims he didn't do anything wrong.

UCF was given a "Lack of Institutional Control" charge by the NCAA on Tuesday. The NCAA said Caldwell was functioning essentially as a middleman trying to get athletes to Orlando.

Oh...it didn't work very well either.

Caldwell is a shining example of everything that's wrong with College Sports. If you listen to him rant, the first thought is...he's a runner for an agent. Oh...he basically admits getting stuff for his "Kids/Clients".

Brokering kids is something that seems to happen quite frequently. Getting stuff for them is an even bigger problem. And yet these guys still exist. Parents and kids flock to these guys. Not because they get them to school. But they get "Stuff" for them at school.

No Ken Caldwell, you weren't the only reason UCF got in trouble. You were "Part" of the reason. What you do is illegal. Whether you agree with it or not. Yes, we know there are a lot of people doing it...but that doesn't make it right.

Just because you didn't get the kids to the NCAA doesn't mean you didn't profit from them. Why do you think agents want you to usher kids to schools? Just because there are a lot of other guys in the same business you are in...doesn't make it right. Just because you think these kids should have more...doesn't make it right. And just because the system is broke...doesn't make what you do right.

Dude...just keep your mouth shut. Don't do things like post 9 minute rants justifying what you think you did. If you shut up and lay low for awhile, you can just resurface in another year or two.

UCF gets NCAA Postseason Ban, sort of cries "Foul"

Woe is the University of Central Florida athletic department.

UCF found out their punishment from the NCAA today (Tues) and they were cited for "Lack of Institutional Control".

However, the penalty, which is perceived by many in Orlando as being "Too Harsh", is nothing major. A 1-year ban on post-season play for both the Football and Basketball teams. A $50K fine and 5-years probation.

Read our initial story on the allegations from November...RIGHT HERE

The Knights were already in trouble with the NCAA for impermissable phone contact with a recruit. Since they were on probation for that; they become "Repeat Offenders".

UCF already had imposed some penalties on themselves, putting the athletic department on probation for 3 years, eliminating a scholarship basketball slot and forfeiting games from 2008 thru the 2010-11 season in hoops. Oh...and football coach George O'Leary got a "Letter of Reprimand" in his personnel file.

The Orlando Sentinel says in a headline that the school plans to appeal. However, when you click on the link--you get the background story of what happened and no mention of the appeal.

You can read that story RIGHT HERE

According to a tweet by ESPN's Andy Katz, UCF is just whining (appealing) the bowl game ban, not the basketball stuff. Really guys? You aren't missing much there...just sayin'.

The investigation had centered on former Athletic Director Keith Tribble's relationship with a Chicago area "Mentor" to athletes, Ken Caldwell.

That relationship was supposed to steer several athletes down from Chicago to the wannabe NCAA power in Orlando. It wasn't successful.

We don't really pity UCF and quite honestly, they should be considering themselves fortunate this is the only penalty they are paying. Yeah, Caldwell swore up and down he wasn't affiliated with an agent and he was just trying to find a school for his kid and his friends to play at.

Again, it didn't work.

So, hopefully UCF moves on, tries to play a little closer to the rules and takes their penalty like a man. They aren't facing more than 1-season of not playing in a bowl game, Conference USA's basketball tourney and/or the NCAA Basketball Tourney.

Oh..we forgot to mention...the Knights head to the Big East after this season too.

UCF AD resigns, school receives Notice of Allegations

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Whooops. There is another scandal going on out there that needs to be reported on. We told earlier this year about a potential investigation at UCF in Orlando involving their recruiting ties to one Ken Caldwell.

You can read about that RIGHT HERE

Well, the school has now been delivered a 16-page notice of allegations and it has cost Athletic Director Keith Tribble his job. Those same allegations will cost basketball coach Donnie Jones for 3-games with pay and UCF Football wide receivers coach David Kelly was also let go.

Read about the turmoil at UCF from the Orlando Sentinel RIGHT HERE

This all stems from an investigation into the school's basketball and football recruiting. And yes, this is not good.

The supposition is the school demanded these actions to help appease the NCAA and show they are in "Institutional Control". That phrase is the one thing school presidents don't want to hear.

We will add that Tribble apparently among other-things, provided false and misleading information to the institution and enforcement staff--(He lied).

According to the Sentinel, a date has yet to be given for the school to respond to these charges. Until that response and hearing is given, a full-punishment won't be doled out.

--Note-- UCF is also allegedly going to accept an invitation to join the Big East this week. Though they are running out of time, if in fact that is the timetable. According to the paper, the Big East is aware of the investigation.

Yes, this is a serious story, but couldn't resist the whole "Trouble with Tribbles" thing:



The HQ noticed that none of this is in regard to the ongoing Ereck Plancher civil case. We can only figure that the NCAA beat Central Florida's president to the punch before Tribble and other football staffers will get sent packing when that case is done.

Here is the Letter Of Inquiry and here is the Notice of Allegations, thanks to our friends at WFTV-TV in Orlando