Miami’s Larranaga says he’s ‘Coach-3’ in corruption probe
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Miami NCAA college basketball head coach Jim Larranaga pauses during a question at a news conference today in Coral Gables, Fla. Miami has been linked to the federal investigation into corruption of college basketball that has rocked the sport. Larranaga discussed allegations that someone was willing to pay $150,000 to get a recruit to commit to the Hurricanes. Larranaga, through his attorney, has denied any involvement.
CORAL GABLES, Fla. >> Miami coach Jim Larranaga believes he is the “Coach-3” named in court documents that detail the federal investigation of corruption in college basketball recruiting, and insists he did nothing wrong.
Larranaga spoke out today about the scandal for the first time, reading from a prepared statement. He has not been named specifically in documents, though “Coach-3” is listed in those papers as someone who allegedly had conversations with a sneaker company executive about paying a recruit $150,000 in exchange for a commitment.
Larranaga says, “I certainly have never engaged in the conduct that some have speculated about.”
He would not discuss his relationship with Adidas executive James Gatto, who allegedly conspired with schools sponsored by his company to pay top recruits. Miami is an Adidas school.
