Published: February 20, 2008 03:17 pm         

Editorial: Suspend Sampson

Editorial: Suspend Sampson



Opinion: The Kokomo (Ind.) Tribune



Kelvin Sampson is a winner. In 25 years of coaching college men’s basketball, he has won 64 percent of his games.



Kelvin Sampson, the NCAA says, also is a liar who has little regard for authority, sanctions and rules. Last week, the NCAA said Sampson knowingly violated telephone recruiting restrictions and lied about it to its team of investigators and his superiors at IU.



We’ve got to ask: How many more opportunities will the guy get?



IU hired Sampson less than two years ago. It signed him to a seven-year, $7.3 million contract. And the school did it, despite the fact Sampson had been sanctioned for recruiting violations by the NCAA while at the University of Oklahoma.



Sampson came to IU, and immediately he and some on his staff violated his probation with the NCAA by making improper telephone calls to recruits. Now we learn the NCAA believes he continued to make improper calls, even after IU disclosed the earlier indiscretions.



If true, Sampson has disgraced himself and discredited the school. He must be removed from IU’s bench.



IU likely is worried that were it to fire Sampson, he would sue for wrongful termination and win several million dollars, much like former Ohio State coach Jim O’Brien did a few years back.



Forget that. IU should suspend Sampson immediately, with pay, as it investigates these new allegations. And, for the love of Mike, it should take away his cell phone.



Either Ray McCallum, the former Muncie Central standout and Ball State coach, or Dan Dakich, who starred at Andrean and played for Bob Knight, can lead the Hoosiers the rest of the year. They’re Indiana kids who presumably can recruit Indiana players in the offseason.



IU is scheduled to appear before the NCAA Committee on Infractions June 14. A decision isn’t expected until July or August. If the committee finds Sampson guilty of violating his recruiting restrictions and lying about it, his employment should be terminated.