[NittanyLion]

He's a football coach who participated in a basketball play-off pool. Almost every business and 99% of all taverns have March Madness pools, big deal. Where's the beef?

The deal is that the NCAA's rules are clear, and he chose to disobey them. I suspect he assumed he'd get away with it.

As far as the rationale behind the rule, my assumption is that the organization believes its integrity would be tainted if coaches were to routinely gamble on NCAA athletic events. Perhaps the belief is that they're in a position to exert their influence toward affecting the outcome.

[bigfootbob]

"Perhaps the belief is that they're in a position to exert their influence toward affecting the outcome."

You're right. They knew UW was going to lead the Pac 10 this Summer and Fall and the NCAA hates the UW and has for years.

The NCAA needs reformation. (Considering your handle, I assume you have some first hand experience with the NCAA's warped dictates.) Otherwise we are destined to see more LeBron James' and 13 year old soccer players inking big contracts and by-passing college all together. Think we pay high taxes now, just wait when the public schools lose the sports revenue. UW and WAZZU's Presidents have been lobbying the legislators and business leaders for more dough for their schools, look out.

[hchutch]

How does a football coach betting on basketball games do that?

If he broke the rules, he ought to be canned, but a bit of common sense might also be in order.

[Steve_Seattle]

There's a sense here in Seattle that Neuheisel might not survive this one - it's been one thing after another with him, and this might be the last straw. Apart from all of his ethical lapses, there is the growing feeling here that Neuheisal is not a top-flight coach, and the doubts about his coaching ability might act synergistically with the ethical lapses to undermine his support to the breaking point.

[eeman]

To further expand on what Nittnaylion said, see following link from the Seattle Times

NCAA might give Hedges (Atheletic Director) no option but to fire Neuheisel

Neuheisel has been a good, not great coach at Univ. of WA. However, from the moment he arrived in Seattle, he been having trouble with recruiting violations, engaging in Clinton-speak when he interviewed with the San Francisco 49'ers and denied it. Even if his behavior was clean up to this point, it sound like the NCAA regulations are explicit about betting on NCAA games. With all the questionable lapses in judgement, no one will be sorry to see him go.

Besides, Univ. of WA can hire the other exemplary collegiate coach from the Northwest, Mike Price. I heard Alabama let him out of his contract.