The Kansas basketball program received a notice of allegations from the NCAA on Monday detailing multiple major violations, the University of Kansas confirmed. Kansas is accused of committing three Level I violations -- the most severe in the NCAA rulebook. A responsibility charge is also being levied against Hall of Fame coach Bill Self and KU is also charged with a lack of institutional control.
Several Level II violations have also been levied against the football program dating back to the previous coaching regime under David Beaty, according to Yahoo Sports, which first reported the notice of allegations. Those violations are less serious in nature and reportedly include charges of allowing an extra coach to work during practice.
Kansas' alleged violations in basketball stem from the FBI's recent investigation into the sport related to corruption and bribery. The probe roped in Kansas when T.J. Gassnola, a former Adidas consultant, testified about his involvement in funneling money to the mother of former KU basketball player Billy Preston and to the guardian of current KU basketball player Silvio De Sousa. Last week, reports surfaced indicating an NOA -- with major rules violations allegations -- was likely imminent for the program.
Self would be subject to coach responsibility penalty guidelines adopted by the NCAA in the wake of recommendations from the Commission on College Basketball. That means he could be suspended for up to a year.
Kansas is expected to mount a vigorous defense, a source told CBS Sports' Dennis Dodd, saying it felt "strong[ly]" about the NCAA's accusations. Late Monday, the Jayhawks began that defense with a statement from Kansas' Office of Public Affairs. In part, it reads as follows:
It is already clear from an initial review that the University will fiercely dispute in detail much of what has been presented.
First and foremost, the University emphasizes that it emphatically rejects the assertion that Adidas and Adidas employees and associates were boosters and agents of the University (as defined by NCAA legislation) during the period of the alleged violations and therefore acting on the University's behalf when they engaged in alleged violations of NCAA bylaws.
As for the allegations regarding Head Men's Basketball Coach Bill Self, voluminous evidence demonstrates uncontestably that he did, in fact, promote an atmosphere of compliance and fully monitor his staff. The University firmly and fully supports Coach Self and his staff. [...]
The University strongly disagrees with the assertion that it "lacks of institutional control." In fact, the University believes that the record will demonstrate just the opposite. [...]
We understand this is a unique moment in collegiate athletics, and we recognize the NCAA finds itself in a challenging position. But we don't believe these allegations are the most appropriate way to address long-standing challenges in college basketball.
NCAA investigators were sent to Kansas to look into both the football and basketball programs, Dennis Dodd reported this spring. In June, Dodd reported that at least six schools would be hit with Level I violations as the FBI's investigation continues to reverberate throughout the college basketball landscape.
The earliest the case could be concluded is approximately six months from now if the typical investigatory timeline is followed. The concerned parties now have 90 days to file a response to the NOA. After that, the NCAA has 60 days to file its reply brief. Then a hearing in front of an NCAA infractions panel is scheduled.
That would put a decision on the case into Spring 2020. The lack of institutional control allegation puts a potential postseason ban into play. However, due to the timeline of the case, one person close to the situation told Dodd that the possibility of a postseason ban "highly unlikely" for the 2019-20 season.
That wouldn't preclude Kansas from applying a self-imposed penalty as a show of good faith to the NCAA. However, that doesn't seem to be Kansas' stance at the moment.
Kansas is the second known school to receive a NOA with Level I violations to date, joining NC State, which in July announced it had been hit by the NCAA with multiple Level I and Level II violations. KU is expected to release a copy of the notice of allegations.
Kansas is in this position because of NCAA rule changes that allow it to accept information that has been developed "by another administrative body or a commission authorized by a school." In this case, the FBI's case as presented at trial with evidence in the form of wiretaps and texts involving both Self and top assistant Kurtis Townsend.