Why is the coach OUT? We don’t know the entire story but he was interested in the academic performance of one of the thugs. He didn’t ask the professor to change the grade.
What kind of administration puts thugs on a committee to investigate faculty conduct.
Wayne answers your query nicely, at 33, from the comment section of the story.
The Win/Arrest ratio really should be the first reaction to the story, and the first measurement of a decent coach.
Years ago I taught at an SEC university. Because I had several players in class, I got a call early in the semester from the Athletic Department, assuring me that there was no pressure to give them special treatment, but they requested that I notify the Department if any of their athletes were not doing well in the course. They promised to get them tutors or other help to pass the course. I thought that was appropriate and didn't feel any pressure. Moreover, I kept office hours to offer help to any student who needed tutoring.
Of course, that was back in the day when universities didn't recruit thugs.