If you had any respect for USC

[IrishLax]

More gems!

Vehikite's return took on added significance because walk-on Will Andrew didn't have his scholarship renewed this week. Kiffin said he doesn't go out of his way to inform walk-ons when their scholarship is not renewed.

"They're never granted longer (than a year)," Kiffin said. "He was fortunate to have one for a year."



Sounds like a great guy.

WHAT A DOUCHE!!!

 

[ALLGATOR]

You're not wrong here. This happens at an awful lot of schools. And it makes sense with the logic being that the kid can already pay for school by virtue of being a walk-on.

The difference in this scenario, IMO, is that you stripped a kid of a promised scholarship a couple weeks before the season to give it to a guy that happened to be getting an early (paroled?) release from jail only serving 3 months of his sentenced 12.

That's kinda effed up on a lot of different levels. First and foremost that a reputable academic institution would even allow a two-time convicted felon admittance to the school... and that he would get zero suspension. Even Meyer at Florida had the stones to suspend Dunlap (I think?) for a meaningful game for a DUI mid-season... this guy hit a pedestrian, left the scene of an accident, and was driving drunk. No penalty whatsoever and takes a promised scholarship from a "lesser player" doing everything right. That's wrong. Wrong wrong wrong.

See what I am saying is the scholarship for the walk on was/is not promised. So that part I am not too concerned about.

Now what I would like to know is what the thought process was in allowing the kid to enroll back into USC and join the football team. Both those questions would need to be answered by the Dean of Students and Pat Haden.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Here's a link for everyone to tweet around: Vehitike Returns - Inside USC with Scott Wolf

Of course I am not getting anyone to bite on this via twitter.

 

[IrishLax]

See what I am saying is the scholarship for the walk on was/is not promised. So that part I am not too concerned about.

Now what I would like to know is what the thought process was in allowing the kid to enroll back into USC and join the football team. Both those questions would need to be answered by the Dean of Students and Pat Haden.

Eh, sure it was. A couple weeks ago he was told he would have a scholarship. Then this guy gets early release and he doesn't get it. Kiffin covers by saying "I don't discuss scholarship situations with walk-ons" so that he doesn't have to own up to this fact.

The simple chain of events is that this kid was informed he would have a scholarship and then in a matter of weeks it was taken away. Either explicitly or implicitly he was misled. Big deal? No, not as bad as Saban at 'Bama forcing scholarship players out by not renewing. And it's not the bigger issue here... as you said, the bigger issue is letting a convicted felon go straight from jumpsuit to cardinal & gold like it's no big deal... with no penalties.... and a week or so after classes started. Shows absolutely ZERO commitment to being anything but a semi-pro football team. Hell, even in the NFL though he would've gotten a MINIMUM 4 game suspension from Goodell for his crimes.

 

[IndyIrishFan1]

Of course I am not getting anyone to bite on this via twitter.

I sent it to a few people too...no reactions yet. I'm sure they have to do some fact-checking before they post anything themselves.

 

[ALLGATOR]

Eh, sure it was. A couple weeks ago he was told he would have a scholarship. Then this guy gets early release and he doesn't get it. Kiffin covers by saying "I don't discuss scholarship situations with walk-ons" so that he doesn't have to own up to this fact.

The simple chain of events is that this kid was informed he would have a scholarship and then in a matter of weeks it was taken away. Either explicitly or implicitly he was misled. Big deal? No, not as bad as Saban at 'Bama forcing scholarship players out by not renewing. And it's not the bigger issue here... as you said, the bigger issue is letting a convicted felon go straight from jumpsuit to cardinal & gold like it's no big deal... with no penalties.... and a week or so after classes started. Shows absolutely ZERO commitment to being anything but a semi-pro football team. Hell, even in the NFL though he would've gotten a MINIMUM 4 game suspension from Goodell for his crimes.

Maybe I am missing some info. Where does it say a couple of weeks ago he was told he was on scholarship?

Are we sure he is not going to have any punishment from the football team?

 

[caligold]

Everywhere Lane goes there he is!

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

This needs to be spread.. I'm tweeting the story to every analyst out there. It ****ing pisses me off that we won't hear a word of this on ESPiN. They'd rip Kelly to shreds for something like this.

 

[BGIF]

Go ahead and throw it out the window:

USC linebacker Simione Vehikite returned to practice Wednesday after getting released from jail earlier this week. Vehitike served more than three months for leaving the scene of a car accident and driving with an .08% blood-alcohol level and causing injury.
He was actually sentenced to a year back in May for the two felony counts.
USC coach Lane Kiffin did not announce Vehitike's return but it might explain why walk-on linebacker Will Andrew is no longer on scholarship

.

That's right, not only do they somehow keep a kid convicted on two felony counts and doing months of jail time enrolled in the school.... but they welcome him back open arms to the football team.... and then cut the scholarship of a current player to make room. Un-freaking-real.

Discuss.

Somewhere Allen Pinkett knees sore from groveling apologies to anyone in earshot, muttering to himself, "See I was right. Lane Kiffin and Southern Cal, GET IT!"

 

[IrishLax]

Maybe I am missing some info. Where does it say a couple of weeks ago he was told he was on scholarship?

Was listed online weeks ago in a scholarship breakdown for USC. Will try to find it when I get home. Bottom line is that everyone.. including the kid... thought he would be on scholarship right up until he wasn't.

Are we sure he is not going to have any punishment from the football team?

No, I'm not. He was suspended indefinitely when he first committed the crimes last spring and now welcomed back. Kiffin made no comments on his suspension to my knowledge, and he might amend things later to include a game or two. The only comments he has made so far, to my knowledge, are saying the walk-on was "lucky to have a scholarship for a year."

Would not be surprised to ultimately see him miss a couple games as he is a reserve player and if this starts getting any traction with the press Haden/their PR people will almost surely mandate something I'd imagine. It's absolutely shocking though that no one has pressed him on it... can you imagine if Brian Kelly brought back a convicted felon straight out of jail? Hell would be raised about him even being allowed back in the school much less onto the team... and the very first questions would be about what discipline he is facing. And then you'd see a half dozen articles critiquing ND for letting in such an unsavory individual.

 

[IndyIrishFan1]

 

[obi wan mahoney]

I believe in miracles...I hope Hawaii whips up on, or at least beat the insane 40 point spread, SC this weekend. So, this weekend I'm saying, "Go Irish, go Warriors, and roll Tide."

 

[UmphreakDomer]

Would not be surprised to ultimately see him miss a couple games as he is a reserve player and if this starts getting any traction with the press Haden/their PR people will almost surely mandate something I'd imagine. It's absolutely shocking though that no one has pressed him on it... can you imagine if Brian Kelly brought back a convicted felon straight out of jail? Hell would be raised about him even being allowed back in the school much less onto the team... and the very first questions would be about what discipline he is facing. And then you'd see a half dozen articles critiquing ND for letting in such an unsavory individual.

LAX--isnt it funny that this is basically what the Rick Reilly article was saying? ND should start playing ball like everyone else does in this day and age of college football. i say NAY! the media cant have it both ways. they cannot bash nd for doing the things they do, the right way, and then bash them for a former players comments about doing things "incorrectly". its completely unfair and biased.

Pat Forde's article is continuing to gain importance as these sorts of stories do not get the attention they deserve and in the same negative light that they happen to be.

 

[ALLGATOR]

Was listed online weeks ago in a scholarship breakdown for USC. Will try to find it when I get home. Bottom line is that everyone.. including the kid... thought he would be on scholarship right up until he wasn't.



No, I'm not. He was suspended indefinitely when he first committed the crimes last spring and now welcomed back. Kiffin made no comments on his suspension to my knowledge, and he might amend things later to include a game or two. The only comments he has made so far, to my knowledge, are saying the walk-on was "lucky to have a scholarship for a year."

Would not be surprised to ultimately see him miss a couple games as he is a reserve player and if this starts getting any traction with the press Haden/their PR people will almost surely mandate something I'd imagine. It's absolutely shocking though that no one has pressed him on it... can you imagine if Brian Kelly brought back a convicted felon straight out of jail? Hell would be raised about him even being allowed back in the school much less onto the team... and the very first questions would be about what discipline he is facing. And then you'd see a half dozen articles critiquing ND for letting in such an unsavory individual.

I dont know how things are done at USC but at Florida just last week or maybe the beginning of this week Muschamp announced what walk-ons would get scholarships.

I would think this whole thing was well thought out between the academic and athletic department. I cant see a kid just walking out of jail on on to the practice field without a lot of communication.

I also cant see a kid being physically ready to play football after 3 months in jail. So they can say he has a 3 or 4 game suspension but it will be meaningless because he has to get into playing shape anyways.

If I was a reporter I would want more info on the subject before discussing the topic.

Haden and the dean are going to have to address this and it will be interesting to see what they say. Haden has been labeled as a "man of great character" so I will enjoy seeing how he spins this.

 

[BGIF]

?..

If I was a reporter I would want more info on the subject before discussing the topic.

...

He notes in his 6th post on the topic.

 

[RDU Irish]

I'm thinking Mike Golic will have something to say about it when he is back on the air next week. Any and every ND public figure should bring this up when asked about Pinkett.

 

[TDHeysus]

status quo at USC

 

[IrishLax]

Just got a direct message from Bruce Feldman saying that it isn't clear at this time whether or not Vehikite is back on scholarship or if he necessarily took Andrew (the walk-on's) scholly. So at least one guy in the media is looking into it.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

@BryanDFischer
Simione Vehikite, who just got out of jail after a DUI, has been placed back on scholarship at USC and will be a backup LB

 

[woolybug25]

Just got a direct message from Bruce Feldman saying that it isn't clear at this time whether or not Vehikite is back on scholarship or if he necessarily took Andrew (the walk-on's) scholly. So at least one guy in the media is looking into it.

I sent a personal email to all of the reporters at ESPN. Their email addresses are in their profiles.

 

[JadeBrecks]

What I don't understand is why don't recruits see this? If someone better than you shows up then you will lose your scholarship. Why not go to a school that will give you a scholarship for all 4 years?

 

[IrishLax]

@BryanDFischer
Simione Vehikite, who just got out of jail after a DUI, has been placed back on scholarship at USC and will be a backup LB

Annnnnnnnnd boom.

 

[Rack Em]

What I don't understand is why don't recruits see this? If someone better than you shows up then you will lose your scholarship. Why not go to a school that will give you a scholarship for all 4 years?

Because college coaches are all over their nuts and telling them they'll be the next star at "Fingeryourbutthole State". They have people drooling all over them to the point where they never think they'll be the ones to lose a scholly.

They're 18 year olds and that's understandable...which makes this situation even more sickening since college football coaches prey on this mentality and exploit kids who want to play big time football.

 

[clashmore_mike]

everyone bomb Cowherd with that link. would love to hear his take on it. (not really but kinda)

 

[clashmore_mike]

https://twitter.com/ESPN_Colin

here you go

 

[Cackalacky]

Man that is just wrong.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Unbelievable.

Quotes from Kiffy:

“Simi is back with our team. Simi has done everything fulfilling his obligations to the team to get back. He’s been through a lot. He’s fulfilled all of his legal obligations as well, so he’s back as a part of our team. While he wasn’t with us over this time, he had a great semester last spring. He passed 20 units and is very close to graduating as well.”

On his scholarship: “His scholarship is still in tact.”

On how Simi might affect Darreus’s scholarship: “Like I said before, we don’t get into specifics with numbers and planning, but Darreus is not good to go.”

 

[IndyIrishFan1]

Unbelievable.

Quotes from Kiffy:

“Simi is back with our team. Simi has done everything fulfilling his obligations to the team to get back. He’s been through a lot. He’s fulfilled all of his legal obligations as well, so he’s back as a part of our team. While he wasn’t with us over this time, he had a great semester last spring. He passed 20 units and is very close to graduating as well.”

On his scholarship: “His scholarship is still in tact.”

On how Simi might affect Darreus’s scholarship: “Like I said before, we don’t get into specifics with numbers and planning, but Darreus is not good to go.”

He was released from jail earlier this week! That list of obligations must have been short.

 

[95NDAlumNM]

Former USC, Pleasant Grove football player claims painkiller shots led to heart attack - High School Sports - The Sacramento Bee

 

[Btown7]

He was released from jail earlier this week! That list of obligations must have been short.

I'm sure it looked like this..

List:

Get out of jail (check)