The glacial Oregon investigation regarding improper contact with scout/street agent Willie Lyles finally appears to have a definite finish line: Thayer Evans of Sports Illustrated reports that the school and former coach Chip Kelly appeared before the NCAA’s infractions committee last week, and that we’re less than three months from hearing the final word on how Oregon will be punished.
Oregon, Chip Kelly appeared before NCAA infractions committee, sanctions coming in next 90 days
The long and winding road that leads to Oregon’s NCAA sanctions is apparently nearing its end: the school and former coach Chip Kelly met with the NCAA infractions committee, and the school will find out its punishment before next season.
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODA
Oregon appeared last Friday in Dallas before the NCAA’s infractions committee regarding Will Lyles per a source.
— Thayer Evans (@ThayerEvansSI) April 24, 2013
Former Ducks coach Chip Kelly attended hearing & maintained Lyles’ scouting service was used "the same way other schools do" per the source.
— Thayer Evans (@ThayerEvansSI) April 24, 2013
The infractions committee is expected to issue its decision on sanctions in the next 60 to 90 days.
— Thayer Evans (@ThayerEvansSI) April 24, 2013
So, Oregon will apparently know its fate by the beginning of the 2013 football season, with sanctions that could begin this season.
Of course, this isn’t the first time we’ve heard that Oregon’s sanctions are forthcoming, but it’s certainly the most recent, and considering the school actually met with the infractions committee this time, it appears to be the most plausible. And of course, most of the people involved -- players, Kelly himself -- have gone elsewhere since news of the allegations broke before the 2011 season.
Oregon had tried to self-impose penalties and reach a deal with the committee, but disagreements over the severity of the violations put the sanctions into the committee’s hands.
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