You may recall the duo from their blistering take on how Jeremy Foley conducted his search for Jim McElwain last fall, from Thamel’s initial column declaring Muschamp a “bold and risky” hire and from Evans’ reporting that Cam Newton faced expulsion from Florida – and immediately being charged with carrying water for Urban Meyer. That included the former freshman All-America defensive end’s alleged physical abuse of his girlfriend and an allegation that Ukwuachu put his fist through a window while drunk at the couple’s home, one of the ex-staffers said.
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“After Sam Ukwuachu was dismissed from the Boise State football program and expressed an interest in transferring to Baylor, I initiated a call with coach Art Briles“, he said.
Sam Ukwuachu has been sentenced to 180 days behind bars and 10 years probation after being found guilty of rape.
“Never, I was told the same story in Coach Briles’ statement”, Heath said when asked if he knew about Ukwuachu’s violaent past.
“I don’t care who is questioning Art Briles“, Heath said. “The only disciplinary action I was aware of were team-related issues, insubordination of coaches and missing practice”. Now we’re getting reaction from the player’s former Pearland high school coach.
Pearland coach Tony Heath said Boise State coaches told him they were concerned about his well-being but did not mention any violent incidents. Briles and Petersen have offered differing accounts of a phone conversation about Ukwuachu’s background.
Petersen stood by the statement he released last week where he said he “thoroughly apprised Coach Briles of the circumstances surrounding Sam’s disciplinary record and dismissal”. The Texas native left Boise State in 2013 following a series of personal issues and then committed a sexual assault for which he was just convicted not long after arriving in Central Texas.
Even President & Chancellor Ken Starr admits, the Baylor community is “angry” after learning how one of their former football team members would be punished. He was ineligible in 2013 because of NCAA transfer rules and suspended in 2014, though Baylor never gave a reason.
He transferred to Baylor but never played for the Bears.
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The SEC earlier this year passed a rule preventing schools from accepting transfers who have been dismissed from another team for “serious misconduct”, defined as sexual assault, domestic violence or other forms of sexual violence.
