Frank Haith’s attorney says report Missouri coach will face NCAA charges is premature

The attorney for Missouri basketball coach Fank Haith is angry about a CBSSports.com report from Monday which stated that Haith will be facing multiple charges from the NCAA.

Michael Buckner, one of three attorneys on Haith’s legal team, told The Miami Herald that until Haith actually receives something from the NCAA, the report is premature.

“Throughout the case we have conversations all the time with the NCAA,” Buckner said. “Any type of allegations are not allegations until you receive the actual notice. Whoever talked to [CBSSports.com college basketball writer] Jeff Goodman is violating the NCAA confidentiality provision and as of right now, my client and anyone on his legal team have not received a notice of allegations.”

According to the report, Haith will be charged with unethical conduct and failure to promote an atmosphere of compliance. The charges of unethical conduct are reportedly being levied because the NCAA did not believe his story that payments to his assistants intended for camp money did not wind up going to repay former Miami booster Nevin Shapiro. The failure to promote an atmosphere of compliance charge will stem from impermissible airline travel that was given to the family of two players from a member of his staff and also the interaction between Shapiro and players while on visits.

Buckner wanted to clarify that no official charges have been made against Haith.

“The investigation is still ongoing,” Buckner said, “and until we receive the notice of allegations there have been no charges asserted against Coach Haith. If the NCAA had already made these decisions we would have received a notice of allegations.

“I would just like to see the NCAA be able to do its job.”