USC football: Lane Kiffin ‘grateful’ for NCAA decision

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Now that the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions has announced that it found insufficient evidence to support findings of major violations by Lane Kiffin when he was at Tennessee, USC’s coach is looking ahead.

Kiffin appeared before the committee in June as part of a broader hearing into Tennessee’s athletic department.

The NCAA on Wednesday hit Tennessee with a so-called failure to monitor violation and two years of probation. Former Tennessee basketball coach Bruce Pearl was cited for unethical conduct and was virtually banned from coaching at an NCAA school for three years. Each of his three former assistant coaches received similar one-year bans for major violations.

Kiffin will not be penalized for secondary violations committed by his staff at Tennessee.

Kiffin said in a statement that he was ‘very grateful that we were able to accurately and fairly present the facts in our case and that no action was taken against us. I’m pleased that the NCAA based its decision on the facts and not on perception.’

USC Athletic Director Pat Haden, who attended Kiffin’s hearing in Indianapolis, said, ‘I believe the NCAA’s decision is fair and based on the facts presented. I’m glad this is behind us now and I know Lane feels the same way. From the time he arrived at USC, Lane Kiffin has been extremely compliant regarding NCAA rules and I feel confident that he will continue to be so.’

More later at latimes.com/sports.

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-- Gary Klein