Kirby Hocutt, Former Miami Athletic Director, Denies Giving Nevin Shapiro ‘Special Access’

Kirby Hocutt is the current athletic director at Texas Tech. That by itself is not particularly noteworthy. But the fact he was the AD at Miami from 2008 until February of this year is definitely something worth mentioning, especially on the day when the sports world has been focused on Coral Gables and the smoking wreckage Yahoo! Sports’ Charles Robinson’s report of impermissible benefits has left in its path.

To make matters worse, the infamous “person familiar with the situation” told the AP on Wednesday that much of Nevin Shapiro’s access to the Hurricane programs allowed by Hocutt.

Hocutt, the person said, allowed Shapiro on the sideline before football games at times during the 2008 season, plus invited him to select gatherings reserved for the athletic department’s biggest donors.

“That’s what Kirby did,” the person said. “His No. 1 job was to raise money and this Nevin Shapiro guy was one of the few people Kirby could get to write checks.”

If true, obviously that would be huge, and would make the list of allegations against Miami even worse (if that’s possible at this point). Wednesday evening, Hocutt issued a statement regarding these claims:

“There are membership levels within the Hurricane Club at the University of Miami. While I was athletics director, the benefits and experiences Mr. Shapiro received were consistent with those provided to others at his membership level. I never personally approved any special access for Mr. Shapiro to university athletics events or programs.”

For more on Shapiro’s claims and the NCAA investigation into Miami football, stay with this StoryStream. To check in with Miami fans, head over to The 7th Floor.