Former head coach Gene Chizik and Athletic Director Jay Jacobs both released statements Thursday, April 4 addressing former Auburn safety Mike McNeil's allegations of multiple NCAA violations as told to Selena Roberts.
Chizik released a statement denying multiple NCAA violations as alleged by McNeil and asserting that Roberts' story is "short on facts and logic."
Gene Chizik's full statement:
"During my tenure at Auburn, the NCAA conducted a multi-year investigation into the Auburn football program that they called “fair and thorough.” The NCAA focused intently on widespread accusations about Auburn players being paid and other alleged recruiting violations. The NCAA conducted 80 interviews. In October 2011, the NCAA rejected “rampant public speculation online and in the media.” Unfortunately, the recent story published by Selena Roberts is more of the same. It once again portrays Auburn University, current and former coaches, professors, fans, supporters and community officials in a false light.
Unfortunately, Ms. Roberts’ story is long on accusation and inference, but short on facts and logic. It is noteworthy that the story comes just days before a player mentioned most prominently in the article is set to go to trial for felony armed robbery. The statements are very generalized accusations devoid of substance. During my time as Auburn’s head coach, I never authorized, instructed or directed anyone to change any player’s grade or provide any type of illegal payment to any student-athlete. Likewise, I am not aware of any alleged grade change or illegal payment by any member of my coaching staff, support staff or anyone else.
As for logic, the notion that the conduct inferred by Ms. Roberts was occurring under the NCAA’s nose, at the very same time the NCAA is conducting its thorough investigation, lacks merit. Further, the notion that there was ever an attempt to sabotage any Auburn student-athlete’s attempt to play professional football is outrageous. Auburn’s success in transitioning student-athletes to the NFL benefits both the student-athlete and the Auburn program.
I remain part of the Auburn family and take these attacks on myself, the University and community seriously. During my time at Auburn, the administrators, professors and academic staff were of the highest integrity. Additionally, the inference that there was academic support staff that worked together with professors to change grades is absurd. As an Auburn resident, I take great pride in the quality and integrity of our police department. They enforce the law equally and fairly and my dealings with police Chief Tommy Dawson and his staff have been nothing short of excellent. He has handled many high profile cases with the upmost integrity and professionalism. To imply anything otherwise is simply wrong.
If there is a sad truth here, it is that there are no repercussions for bloggers who blast out widespread, venomous allegations and inferences in such an irresponsible manner. To make bold and outrageous conclusions on such thin support is a travesty.
During my tenure as Auburn’s head coach, we kept the well-being of our student- athletes at the forefront of every decision. We ran our program with the highest level of integrity and accountability. Period. I make absolutely no apologies for that. I stand firm in my statements, my support of Auburn University, its student- athletes (present and former), faculty, staff and community officials. As I stated during the NCAA investigation, I am comforted knowing that the truth always prevails."
Jacobs also released a statement Thursday, April 4 saying that Auburn was misled by the premise of a Selena Roberts article.
Full statement from Jay Jacobs:
"Anytime accusations are made against Auburn, we take them seriously. We have no reason to believe these allegations are either accurate or credible. However, as a matter of procedure, we are reviewing them carefully.
It is important to note that several of the sources in this story have since indicated they were either misquoted, quoted out of context or denied the allegations.
Unfortunately, the reporter who published this story did not fully represent to us what the story was about when requesting an interview. We were only told that the reporter was working on a story about the alleged armed robbery involving four former football players, which occurred over two years ago.
We were never told the story would include allegations about academic fraud or improper benefits. Had we known that, we would have responded immediately with the statement above."
The Selena Roberts article and backstory
Former Auburn safety Mike McNeil, with the help of Roopstigo.com writer Selena Roberts, has accused the football program of multiple NCAA violations dating back to the Tommy Tuberville era in 2007.
The report, released just days before McNeil’s trial for his involvement in a 2011 armed robbery, cited cash transactions, academic fraud and recruiting violations were committed during his time at the University.
The story features testimony from McNeil, former Auburn wide receiver Darvin Adams and former defensive end Mike Blanc.
The report accuses the Auburn football program going back to current Florida head coach Will Muschamp's tenure as defensive coordinator at Auburn in 2007. McNeil told Roberts he had received $400 from Muschamp after a difficult day of practice. Muschamp has since denied the payment through a University of Florida spokesperson.
Payments were also allegedly offered to Adams to remain at Auburn for his senior season as quoted in the article by McNeil and Blanc. Adams confirmed in the article that he was offered money to stay, but since its publication multiple quoted players have denied what was reported by Roberts.
Blanc took to Twitter and denied his involvement and the validity of the article.
“Man this article is outrageous and isn’t true. The media will do anything for a juicy story smh #sad,” read Blanc’s tweet.
The article, which is titled “Auburn’s Tainted Title: Victims Violations and Vendettas for Glory,” published Wednesday, April 3, has become the center of a large debate regarding its legitimacy.
The author, Selena Roberts, is known for her controversial stories that according to the Kansas City Star include comparing the Duke Lacrosse team members acquitted of rape to gang members and career criminals. She was also a former New York Times columnist and Sports Illustrated writer before creating Roopstigo.com where the story was originally published.
Former Auburn linebacker Neiko Thorpe was quoted in the article as saying “Auburn does what Auburn wants,” in regard to the football program’s operations without NCAA knowledge, has since defended himself and bashed Roberts.
“While I have spoke to Selena Roberts about (McNeil) I have just read her article & not only am I misquoted, but my words are very out of context,” said Thorpe on Twitter. “We didn’t talk about NCAA violations or recruiting.”
Since the article was published, Thorpe, Blanc and former Auburn linebacker Darren Bates have all extensively criticized Roberts’ reporting.
Further into the content of the article, McNeil was reported saying Auburn changed his grade in a computer science class in order to be eligible to play in the national championship game.
After receiving an F for attendance, McNeil went to his professor and a higher-ranking administrator. Unsuccessful in getting the grade changed, McNeil consulted his athletics counselor and the grade was allegedly raised to a C within a few days, allowing him to play.
Former head coach Gene Chizik was portrayed in the article as a paranoid, power hungry football coach who ran a regime in the football department laced with player surveillance, excessive drug testing and prejudiced opinions.
While Chizik was known to be distant from his players, the evidence in the report sheds new light on his era as the leader of Auburn football. Allegedly Chizik was a part of a “culture war” among the players and coaches, asking athletes to cut their dreads and maintain a specific image.
The article cited Chizik and his coaches as distributing hundreds of drug tests throughout the season and that more than 40 players tested positive for recreational drugs in the days after the national championship.
Former defensive end Antoine Carter was quoted as saying, “If you were black and had dreadlocks and tattoos, you were somehow tested more in what was called random testing.”
Furthermore, McNeil said he was given $500 to help recruit former star Alabama defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick in an effort to get him to commit to Auburn.
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