Big 12 commissioner says KU Jayhawks ‘vindicated’ by IARP ruling on infractions case
Kansas was treated fairly by the Independent Accountability Review Process in its six-year infractions case, Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark said on Tuesday.
“The program’s been vindicated, and I think the outcome was a fair one for all,” Yormark said. “I’m sure they’re happy with it.”
KU was not hit with additional major penalties with the ruling announced last week. It had self-imposed a four-game suspension for Bill Self and assistant coach Kurtis Townsend, and those were served at the beginning of last season. The coaches faced no additional penalties.
Neither coach was assessed a show-cause order. Also, the team remains eligible for postseason play. The IARP downgraded the severity of KU’s five Level I allegations, making it a Level II case.
Kansas is facing a three-year probation period.
KU will vacate 15 victories from the 2017-18 season — games in which Silvio De Sousa, whose guardian was cited in the report as accepting improper benefits, participated. Those victories will be stripped from Self’s career head-coaching record, as well.
Somewhat unclear language in communication between KU and Adidas representatives, among other things, contributed to the Jayhawks not facing additional major penalty.
That was the season KU won its NCAA-record 14th straight Big 12 regular-season title. The program will now share the record for most consecutive conference titles — 13 — with UCLA teams coached by the late John Wooden.