NCAA Upholds Show-Cause Penalty Against Tyndall

The NCAA infractions appeals committee upheld all penalties against former Tennessee and Southern Mississippi basketball coach Donnie Tyndall, including a 10-year show-cause, one of the most severe penalties in NCAA history, according a person with knowledge of the decision.

The person spoke Wednesday to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because the decision has not been made public.

The NCAA Committee on Infractions ruled that Tyndall, while at Southern Miss, directed members of his staff to commit academic fraud that would help get prospects eligible and that he fabricated a document to justify payments to academic-non qualifiers who were not eligible to receive scholarships.

Though Tyndall acknowledges violations occurred, he told USA TODAY Sports he did not orchestrate them or have knowledge they occurred until he heard the NCAA was looking into accusations. By that point, he had moved on to Tennessee, which fired him in 2015 amid the investigation.

Tyndall is expected to bring legal action as a result of this decision. He currently is coaching as an assistant in the NBA D League.

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