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MIAMI -- NCAA investigators visited the University of Miami campus Monday looking into claims that more than a dozen former or current football players received gifts and services from convicted Ponzi schemer Nevin Shapiro, his attorney said.
Shapiro has told the NCAA he provided players with the use of a yacht and other favors, said his attorney, Maria Elena Perez. Shapiro and Perez have been talking with the NCAA about the matter for a couple of months and provided documentation, she said.
University officials didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. School officials and current players were expected to be interviewed.
Larry Coker, the Hurricanes' coach from 2001 through 2006 who now holds the head coaching job at Texas-San Antonio, said he recognized Shapiro by name but wouldn't be able to by face.
"If he walked up to me right now I wouldn't know it," Coker told ESPN's Joe Schad. "He was 'around the program.' I certainly wasn't aware of any improprieties. Now, when you look at college athletics today, would it surprise me if somebody gave gifts to players? No, it wouldn't."
Another former Miami coach, Randy Shannon, who was fired in November, had no comment when contacted by ESPN.
Shapiro's relationship with the program dates back about a decade. Some of the alleged incidents occurred in the past four years, which would be within the NCAA's statute of limitations regarding violations.
Shapiro has told the NCAA he provided players with the use of a yacht and other favors, said his attorney, Maria Elena Perez. Shapiro and Perez have been talking with the NCAA about the matter for a couple of months and provided documentation, she said.
University officials didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. School officials and current players were expected to be interviewed.
Larry Coker, the Hurricanes' coach from 2001 through 2006 who now holds the head coaching job at Texas-San Antonio, said he recognized Shapiro by name but wouldn't be able to by face.
"If he walked up to me right now I wouldn't know it," Coker told ESPN's Joe Schad. "He was 'around the program.' I certainly wasn't aware of any improprieties. Now, when you look at college athletics today, would it surprise me if somebody gave gifts to players? No, it wouldn't."
Another former Miami coach, Randy Shannon, who was fired in November, had no comment when contacted by ESPN.
Shapiro's relationship with the program dates back about a decade. Some of the alleged incidents occurred in the past four years, which would be within the NCAA's statute of limitations regarding violations.
Butch cleaned it up, huh? Shame if this extended back to the mid- to latter-90s.
