Is USC demonstrating a lack of institutional control?
Let’s split this into internal and external. Around the same time I was writing this, Athletic Director Mike Garrett was also making the distinction: Historically, it’s always been inside. Now, we’re talking outside for the first time. Internally is where the “textbook” institutional control cases are made. USC is extremely vigilant on this level. In football, Joe McKnight wasn’t allowed to finish spring practice after he dropped a class. In basketball, it was the school, not the NCAA, that ruled O.J. Mayo ineligible to play after he received tickets to a Lakers game. The NCAA quickly reinstated him. Externally, the football program seems to be in the clear. Although it got burned on the Reggie Bush situation, it doesn’t appear that anybody at the school was really aware of what was going on. When that happens, the NCAA expects changes to be made that will prevent repeat violations. USC did so. For example, Pete Carroll has somebody checking IDs at the gates of open football practices
