The University of Louisville threw a little more water onto its dumpster fire of scandals by releasing student-athlete Brian Bowen and assistant basketball coach Kenny Johnson today. Bowen's scholarship to attend UofL remains valid but he was told he will never play basketball for the Cardinals after the FBI revealed secret meetings about shoe company money being funneled to his family. Johnson was terminated likely as another illustration by the school to the NCAA that it was cleaning house of the entire Rick Pitino leadership team, save for new acting head basketball coach David Padgett and a few support staffers. Rick Pitino tells me he is completely finished with coaching although he told ESPN earlier this week that (when he is proven innocent
Tag: brian bowen
Chapter 2: indictments issued in FBI shoe pimp investigation
Eight indictments have been filed in the FBI investigation into the funneling of shoe company money to financial advisors and AAU basketball coaches who benefit from student athletes. More indictments are expected later in the week. Among those indicted by a federal grand jury is suspended Auburn coach Chuck Person, and Rashan Michel, a high end Atlanta clothier. Person is accused of taking bribe money to steer basketball players toward certain financial advisors. Michel is involved with various seedy characters who swarm around recruits and AAU leagues. Michel has been loosely connected to former University of Kentucky personal like assistant coach Orlando Antigua, UK stars Andrew and Aaron Harrison, and Friend-of-Cal William "WorldWide Wes" Wesley. There's probably nothing to
Tom Jurich on his firing, Pitino, Mark Jurich, UofL’s future + could Bowen clearance assist Jurich & Pitino?
Former University of Louisville athletics director Tom Jurich visited my radio show to talk about his firing, the callous termination letter, UofL's financial stability, FBI investigation, NCAA appeal, supervision of Rick Pitino, Mark Jurich's career, adidas contract, and more. Following our interview, news broke that the FBI and U.S. Attorney's office released "investigative impediments" on Brian Bowen, setting up a potential return to the UofL basketball team. The university would have to conduct its own investigation to clear Bowen, but if the FBI can't see a path where the player was aware of his father getting money from adidas, it is hard to imagine that UofL's investigation could drill down further than federal authorities. If Bowen is reinstated, it
Rick Pitino on the surprise addition of Brian Bowen, new team chemistry, and NBA Finals
University of Louisville basketball got a magnificent upgrade with a surprise commitment from 5-star forward Brian Bowen. Coach Rick Pitino admitted it was a great stroke of luck and upgrades his newly enforced team as "possibly a 10," making a lofty reference to his 1996 Kentucky Wildcats talent pool. Here's our radio chat on Bowen's talent, Pitino's projection on the next UofL team's upgraded chemistry, the Pitino geezer basketball team for next year, whether LeBron is overmatched in the NBA Finals, and more.