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Affidavit: Analyst wanted revenge 02/27/04 DOUG SEGREST News staff writer An affidavit taken in a defamation and libel case against the NCAA alleges a recruiting analyst conspired to damage the Alabama football program out of vengeance. The affidavit is part of pre-trial discovery by attorney Thomas Gallion, who represents former Crimson Tide assistant coaches Ronnie Cottrell and Ivy Williams in a civil suit against the NCAA. The source of the affidavit, Clark Charles Branch, is a former work associate of Tom Culpepper, a local recruiting analyst. Culpepper was identified in court documents as a secret witness in the NCAA's investigation of Crimson Tide recruiting. That investigation landed Alabama on probation in 2002 and cost the school 21 scholarships and two potential postseason appearances. In the affidavit, Branch said Culpepper expressed contempt for former Alabama recruiting coordinator Cottrell and Memphis booster Logan Young. Culpepper blamed Young's influence for the loss of his job as a television analyst for a now-defunct Birmingham-based cable sports station. Branch said that on at least six occasions in 2001, he heard Culpepper say "I'll do whatever it takes" to see Cottrell and Young fall as a result of the NCAA investigation. The affidavit said Culpepper worked in concert with Rich Johanningmeier, the NCAA enforcement representative who investigated Alabama. At one point, Culpepper told Branch he and Johanningmeier were worried that the case against Alabama would unravel unless someone went on the record. Branch said Culpepper claimed he encouraged Memphis high school coach Milton Kirk to go public with allegations of wrongdoing against Alabama. Kirk was an assistant coach during Alabama's recruitment of Memphis blue-chip prospect Albert Means, a player the NCAA said signed with Alabama only after Young paid $115,000. Branch said he believed Culpepper had inside information from the NCAA because he accurately predicted Alabama would be punished severely by the NCAA even before the case reached its conclusion. Culpepper, a Shelby County resident, said Thursday that he could not respond to the allegations due to a standing protective order barring comment in the suit brought against the NCAA by Cottrell and Williams. Culpepper is included as a defendant in the suit. Both Cottrell and Williams claim they have not been able to get Division I-A jobs since leaving Alabama because of the damage inflicted on them by the NCAA's investigation. A recent published transcript of Alabama's appearance before the NCAA Committee on Infractions showed both Cottrell and Williams were discussed at the November 2001 hearing. NCAA spokesman Wally Renfro said he would not rehash the transcript. But Renfro, who serves as NCAA President Myles Brand's senior adviser, said the NCAA's treatment of the two coaches is obvious in the transcript. "Ivy Williams wasn't alluded to in terms of any allegations," Renfro said. "All but one of the allegations against Ronnie Cot trell were self-reported by the institution, not the NCAA, and were ones he acknowledged." Renfro noted that an NCAA charge of unethical behavior against Cottrell was argued and eventually dismissed. "I think you can make a strong argument that publishing the transcript does far more damage to their (Cottrell and Williams') case than ours," Renfro said. Renfro will represent the NCAA in a panel discussion Sunday morning when ESPN broadcasts an "Outside the Lines" episode that explores the rift between Alabama and Tennessee over the NCAA investigation. ______________________________________________________ RollTideFan - The University of Alabama Athletics Discussion List "Welcome to RollTideFan! Wear a cup!" To join or leave the list or to make changes to your subscription visit http://listinfo.rolltidefan.net
