Sporting News

Missouri’s Frank Haith receives lesser charge in Miami case

Missouri basketball coach Frank Haith, who just weeks ago was led to believe he’d be charged by the NCAA with “unethical conduct” from his time at Miami, is breathing a bit easier after learning that he faces a lesser charge of “failure to promote an atmosphere of compliance.”

Haith said he learned of the charge levied against him in a Tuesday afternoon conference call with his attorney, just hours before his Tigers played -- and defeated -- No. 5 Florida.

Frank Haith coached seven seasons at Miami before moving on to Missouri. (AP Photo)

"We know the allegations and there is no unethical conduct despite what was reported earlier," Haith told ESPN on Tuesday night, after Missouri’s 63-60 victory. "I've had 20 months dealing with this stuff. I've had constant conversations with our staff here. Everyone has been very supportive.

"I was so focused on coaching my team. But when you get the news, something that you've been personally dealing with, it just allows you to get some closure. This has been going on for a long time and the stress and pressure and tension on me and my staff and family the last three months has been incredible."

Haith has 90 days to mount a defense, and he says he plans to fight the charge. Had Haith been charged with “unethical conduct,” he likely would have also received a “show-cause” penalty, meaning Missouri (or any college) would have had to go before the NCAA to employ Haith or be subject to penalties themselves. It could have led to Haith being fired by Missouri.

Missouri athletics director Mike Alden has maintained a public position of support for Haith, while recognizing that a serious charge would place the program in jeopardy. On Tuesday night, Alden too breathed a sigh of relief.

"Let's go ahead and deal with it and move forward," Alden told reporters. "I'm looking forward to working with Frank for a long time."

Most of the Miami investigation involved the football team and its relationship with rogue booster and convicted felon Nevin Shapiro. While investigating the football program, Shapiro also claimed to have paid, through a Haith assistant, $10,000 to the family of basketball recruit Daquan Jones.

Haith’s “failure to promote an atmosphere of compliance” charge stems from his failure to report to the school and the NCAA Shapiro’s failed attempt to extort money from height to keep from going public with accusations of the Jones payment.

Haith, from the beginning, has maintained his innocence in the case and says he was unaware of any such payment. He told ESPN that he is confident he will get even this lesser charged overturned on appeal.

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