Neil McCarthy (basketball): Difference between revisions
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'''Neil McCarthy''' (born May 18, 1940) is a retired [[college basketball]] coach. He was head coach of the [[Weber State University|Weber State]] [[Weber State Wildcats men's basketball|Wildcats]] team from 1974 to 1985 and at the [[New Mexico State University|New Mexico State]] [[New Mexico State Aggies|Aggies]] from 1985 to |
'''Neil McCarthy''' (born May 18, 1940) is a retired [[college basketball]] coach. He was head coach of the [[Weber State University|Weber State]] [[Weber State Wildcats men's basketball|Wildcats]] team from 1974 to 1985 and at the [[New Mexico State University|New Mexico State]] [[New Mexico State Aggies|Aggies]] from 1985 to 1997. |
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At Weber State, McCarthy led the Wildcats to four [[NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament|NCAA Tournament]]s, including the school's first NCAA Tournament win since reaching the Sweet 16 in 1972. He is still Weber State's winningest coach. |
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During most of McCarthy's tenure at New Mexico State, the Aggies were the second-best team in what became the [[Big West Conference]] for most of the 1980s and 1990s, behind [[UNLV Runnin' Rebels|UNLV]]. After UNLV hit the skids, McCarthy took advantage and led the Aggies to four straight NCAA Tournaments from 1990 to 1994. His best team was the 1991-1992 unit, which advanced all the way to the Sweet 16--the Aggies' deepest run in the tournament since the 1970 Final Four unit. |
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McCarthy was fired just weeks before the start of practice for the 1996-1997 season. Athletic director Jim Paul cited a number of factors, principally the basketball team's poor performance in the classroom. McCarthy only graduated nine players in his 12 years at the school (an 11 percent graduation rate), including only one in his last four years. In Paul's view, this meant that McCarthy emphasized winning over academics.<ref name="Lubbock">[http://www.lubbockonline.com/news/101797/LQ2663.htm McCarthy out as coach; NMSU turns to Henson]. [[Associated Press]], 1997-10-17.</ref> He left New Mexico State as the school's winningest coach, but was passed by [[Lou Henson]]. |
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Officially, McCarthy was reassigned as an assistant athletic director for the balance of his contract. However, he resigned rather than assume that post. |
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==Academic scandals== |
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Despite McCarthy's success, two major academic scandals forced his departure from the coaching profession. |
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In early 1996, it emerged that six players had received help from one of McCarthy's assistants on their work at correspondence courses, including answers on their exams. That July, the NCAA placed New Mexico State and stripped the Aggies of their NCAA tournament appearances in 1992, 1993 and 1994. Although McCarthy was not involved in the violations, the NCAA severely criticized him for not properly controlling the program. It slapped him with a two-year "show-cause" order, meaning that if he ever left New Mexico State, any school that wanted to hire him would have had to get NCAA permission to do so.<ref>[https://web1.ncaa.org/LSDBi/exec/miSearch?miSearchSubmit=publicReport&key=26&publicTerms=THIS%20PHRASE%20WILL%20NOT%20BE%20REPEATED 1996 NCAA infraction report]</ref> |
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After his ouster, McCarthy sued New Mexico State for wrongful termination. During a deposition related to that suit, McCarthy admitted under oath that he'd entered into a verbal agreement with Fletcher Cockrell, then the head coach at [[Jones County Junior College|Jones County Community College]] in [[Mississippi]], if two of his star players signed with New Mexico State. Cockrell helped the players with their coursework and exams.<ref name="UT">Herrerra, Pete. [http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/college_basketball/20010620-1512-bkc-ncaa-new.html NCAA places New Mexico St. on four years' probation]. [[Associated Press]] via [[San Diego Union-Tribune]], 2001-06-20.</ref> |
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After the violations came to light, New Mexico State withdrew from postseason consideration for the 2000-2001 season, and placed the basketball team on two years' probation. The NCAA accepted New Mexico State's penalties, but imposed an additional four years' probation and forced the Aggies to vacate every game they played in 1996-1997 and 1997-1998. It also slapped McCarthy with a five-year show-cause order. Cockrell, who had been involved in violations at another school, received a 10-year show-cause order. The final report noted the similarities with the 1996 case, and seriously considered [[death penalty (NCAA)|"death penalty"]] on the Aggies. However, it praised New Mexico State for taking swift corrective action, including forcing out McCarthy, the school president and Hall's predecessor as athletic director.<ref>[https://web1.ncaa.org/LSDBi/exec/miSearch?miSearchSubmit=publicReport&key=516&publicTerms=THIS%20PHRASE%20WILL%20NOT%20BE%20REPEATED 2001 NCAA infraction report]</ref><ref name="UT"/> |
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==References== |
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<references/> |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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Revision as of 22:27, 25 October 2009
Neil McCarthy (born May 18, 1940) is a retired college basketball coach. He was head coach of the Weber State Wildcats team from 1974 to 1985 and at the New Mexico State Aggies from 1985 to 1997.
At Weber State, McCarthy led the Wildcats to four NCAA Tournaments, including the school's first NCAA Tournament win since reaching the Sweet 16 in 1972. He is still Weber State's winningest coach.
During most of McCarthy's tenure at New Mexico State, the Aggies were the second-best team in what became the Big West Conference for most of the 1980s and 1990s, behind UNLV. After UNLV hit the skids, McCarthy took advantage and led the Aggies to four straight NCAA Tournaments from 1990 to 1994. His best team was the 1991-1992 unit, which advanced all the way to the Sweet 16--the Aggies' deepest run in the tournament since the 1970 Final Four unit.
McCarthy was fired just weeks before the start of practice for the 1996-1997 season. Athletic director Jim Paul cited a number of factors, principally the basketball team's poor performance in the classroom. McCarthy only graduated nine players in his 12 years at the school (an 11 percent graduation rate), including only one in his last four years. In Paul's view, this meant that McCarthy emphasized winning over academics.[1] He left New Mexico State as the school's winningest coach, but was passed by Lou Henson.
Officially, McCarthy was reassigned as an assistant athletic director for the balance of his contract. However, he resigned rather than assume that post.
Academic scandals
Despite McCarthy's success, two major academic scandals forced his departure from the coaching profession.
In early 1996, it emerged that six players had received help from one of McCarthy's assistants on their work at correspondence courses, including answers on their exams. That July, the NCAA placed New Mexico State and stripped the Aggies of their NCAA tournament appearances in 1992, 1993 and 1994. Although McCarthy was not involved in the violations, the NCAA severely criticized him for not properly controlling the program. It slapped him with a two-year "show-cause" order, meaning that if he ever left New Mexico State, any school that wanted to hire him would have had to get NCAA permission to do so.[2]
After his ouster, McCarthy sued New Mexico State for wrongful termination. During a deposition related to that suit, McCarthy admitted under oath that he'd entered into a verbal agreement with Fletcher Cockrell, then the head coach at Jones County Community College in Mississippi, if two of his star players signed with New Mexico State. Cockrell helped the players with their coursework and exams.[3]
After the violations came to light, New Mexico State withdrew from postseason consideration for the 2000-2001 season, and placed the basketball team on two years' probation. The NCAA accepted New Mexico State's penalties, but imposed an additional four years' probation and forced the Aggies to vacate every game they played in 1996-1997 and 1997-1998. It also slapped McCarthy with a five-year show-cause order. Cockrell, who had been involved in violations at another school, received a 10-year show-cause order. The final report noted the similarities with the 1996 case, and seriously considered "death penalty" on the Aggies. However, it praised New Mexico State for taking swift corrective action, including forcing out McCarthy, the school president and Hall's predecessor as athletic director.[4][3]
References
- ^ McCarthy out as coach; NMSU turns to Henson. Associated Press, 1997-10-17.
- ^ 1996 NCAA infraction report
- ^ a b Herrerra, Pete. NCAA places New Mexico St. on four years' probation. Associated Press via San Diego Union-Tribune, 2001-06-20.
- ^ 2001 NCAA infraction report