Kelvin Sampson: A cheater trying to prosper

I have not paid much attention to Kelvin Sampson, though he is hard to ignore these days. Notice I did not call him Coach Kelvin Sampson. It's certainly not a title he reveres, except for the sake of his own glory.

His fellow coaches called him "unethical," after Sampson recruited Eric Gordon, who had already verbally committed to Illinois. Apparently its not kosher to go after verbally committed athletes or to not inform the other coaches of his recruitment efforts for an already committed player. He went against industry standards and that has led many coaches to call him "unethical." I really don't know one way or another. But I do know that it hints at disdain he has for institutions, traditions, peers, etc.

A three year NCAA investigation concluded that while coaching at Oklahoma University, Sampson and his staff made 550 illegal calls to 17 recruits. Sampson called his actions "embarrassing."

Indiana University believes in second chances, and hired Sampson for five years at up to $2.5 million. Maybe more appropriately IU was willing to reward a shady character, as long as he put up the W's. The formula worked with Bob Knight.

Sampson's character and the university's carelessness is coming full circle. Five major violation allegations have been levied against Samspon by the NCAA, including giving false or misleading information to investigators.

The investigation has found that Sampson made ten conference calls to recruits, despite sanctions prohibiting it. Among other violations, IU assistant, Rob Senderoff also made 35 illegal phone calls to recruits from his home.

Senderoff who undoubtedly does not make six figures or has a high profile to sustain him, did the honorable thing and resigned.

Or was it damage control? Ironically in today's see no evil age, prolific persons like Sampson will get second chance after second chance if he only bypasses accountability for his actions and puts the food on the table (wins).

Sampson denies any impropriety like the psychopath that he is. Sampson can and likely will forfeit the money owed to him if a violation is confirmed by the NCAA.

Assuming the empirical evidence is correct, Sampson has no ground to stand on. Phone records and the testimony of recruits and assistants will likely fly in his face. But psychopaths and egotists, like Sampson refuse to pay the piper.

Sampson lies so much that he has no concept of how grating his lies are to even the casual observer.

On the wake of a win over Perdue, the bigger looming issue is whether Sampson will keep his job.

Sampson's response in a post game press conference reporters asking about investigation issues was insulting to everyone with a keen eye on the situation, let alone the casual observer. "I haven't thought about it. My focus has been on the team. I really haven't thought about me whatsoever," Sampson replied.

Sampson's reputation and livelihood is on the line and he has not given it a thought? Does he even realize that the odds of such a thing are astronomical. Let alone the fact that it is a catch-22 to say such a statement. As to not think about such issues, would show his lack of appreciation for the gravity of the situation.

Of course, Sampson does know the gravity of the situation as attested to by the IU athletic director, Rick Greenspan who confirmed that he had a 90-minute meeting with Sampson.

There are legal considerations and due process. We can respect that to a point. But assuming the allegations hold any water, if Sampson is allowed to keep his job it'd spit in the face of the sports and education communities.

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