An independent panel has sentenced the Louisville basketball program to two years’ probation and a $5,000 fine, but has spared the school the hefty fines of allegations made by the NCAA in the wake of a federal investigation into college basketball corruption.
The Independent Accountability Resolution Process (IARP) also declined to punish former Cardinals coach Rick Pitino, who initially cited the NCAA for failing to promote an atmosphere of compliance, but was later acquitted of any violations.
Chris Mack, Pitino’s successor who was fired in January, was also not sanctioned for additional charges announced by the NCAA last year and it was determined that he had never done anything wrong.
Former Cardinals assistant coach Jordan Fair and associate head coach Kenny Johnson received two-year show-cause orders for Level I violations. The IARP concluded that Fair was “consciously involved” in arranging a cash payment in exchange for a player signing up with Louisville.
Former Louisville college basketball head coach Rick Pitino, who was forced to leave the team in 2017, was acquitted of any wrongdoing in the bribery case five years after the scandal.
Several Louisville coaches were found guilty of arranging cash payments to lure players into college in 2017 — four years after winning the NCAA tournament
The IARP, established to investigate complex cases, announced the decision Thursday. It also restricted Louisville’s recruiting visits for this academic year and issued a public reprimand.
The IARP grew out of proposals by a committee led by former United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in 2018 to reform college basketball. The panel’s decision cannot be appealed.
The NCAA charged Louisville in May 2020 with committing a Level I violation for an inappropriate solicitation offer and several Level II violations. Pitino was accused of not fostering an atmosphere of compliance.
It followed a federal investigation announced in September 2017 involving numerous college basketball programs accused of illegally giving recruits money. The school acknowledged allegations about the recruitment of Brian Bowen II.
Louisville was involved in a federal bribery scandal in which it was alleged that Adidas executives had offered recruit Brian Bowen II more than $100,000 to commit to college. The college and athletic brand has now been cleared of the illegal practice
Pitino’s successor Chris Mack, who coached Louisville from 2018-2022, was also acquitted
Louisville had previously been given NCAA probation over a sex scandal. Thursday’s decision by the IARP silenced the latest disciplinary issue for a school that has endured several scandals since 2015.
The IARP also recently announced minor sanctions against Memphis in a similar case, signaling that the era of harsh NCAA penalties may be coming to an end with college athletes now allowed to monetize their name, image and likeness.
Kansas is still under investigation by the IARP as a result of the federal investigation, and this week it itself imposed a four-game ban on Coach Bill Self as it reiterated the program’s dedication to the Hall of Famer.
In the Louisville case, federal prosecutors alleged that Adidas representatives funneled $125,000 to a recruit’s family to get him to the school. Pitino was not named in the federal complaint and repeatedly denied that he had authorized or had knowledge of any payment to a recruit. Adidas was later cleared of these charges.
Hall of Fame coach and athletic director Tom Jurich was nevertheless fired shortly after. That episode took place with Louisville on NCAA probation following a sex scandal in 2015 in which a basketball staff allegedly hired strippers to entertain recruits and players.
Tom Jurich was Louisville’s athletic director when news of the bribery case broke and was later fired from college
Louisville’s sanctions over that scandal include abandoning 123 wins, including the 2013 men’s basketball championship and making the 2012 Final Four — both under Pitino, who now coaches at Iona.
College Sports’ governing body amended its impeachment notice in September 2021 for offenses committed under Mack during the 2020-21 season. The NCAA accused the program of impermissible activity and said Mack did not promote an atmosphere of compliance.
Mack was fired in January after more than three seasons, and was eventually replaced by former Cardinals player and Kentucky assistant Kenny Payne. Mack’s final season began with a six-game ban by the school for failing to follow university guidelines in handling an extortion attempt by fired ex-assistant Dino Gaudio.
University officials opposed the allegations and noted coaching and administrative changes as corrective measures.
The IARP’s decision caps off a long period in which Louisville was competitively and administratively suppressed.
The Cardinals’ only appearance in the NCAA tournament since Pitino’s departure in 2019, and the revolving door of coaches has limited Louisville on the recruiting path.