Ex-Memphis prep coach gets probation for accepting bribe
Feb. 8, 2005
SportsLine.com wire reports
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- A high school football coach who accepted $150,000 from an
Alabama booster to steer his standout football player to the Crimson Tide was
sentenced Tuesday to two years' supervised probation and 500 hours of community
service.
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Lynn Lang was also fined $2,500 after pleading guilty to conspiring to get
defensive lineman Albert Means to sign with the Crimson Tide in 2000. He could
have faced 30-37 months in federal prison and fines up to $60,000.
Lang, former head coach at Trezevant High in Memphis, said he took the money
from wealthy businessman Logan Young to make sure Means went to Alabama.
Young, a longtime Alabama booster, was convicted last week on federal charges
of conspiracy, bribery and money laundering. He is scheduled for sentencing in
May.
Lang testified against Young as a condition of the guilty plea, which led to
dismissal of extortion and bribery charges.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred Godwin said in court that Lang's cooperation was
key to convicting Young.
"Without Mr. Lang, this case could not have gone forward because there was no
other witness to the bribe," he testified.
Lang told U.S. District Court Judge Bernice Donald he regretted the pain he
caused Means, his family and those at his former school.
"I made a big mistake. ... I'm totally sorry for it," he said.
Means' recruitment became part of an NCAA investigation that led to sanctions
against Alabama in 2002. Alabama lost scholarships and was banned from bowls
for two years.
Means, who was not accused of wrongdoing, played one season at Alabama before
transferring to Memphis, where he expects to graduate in the fall.
Former Tide assistants Ivy Williams and Ronnie Cottrell lost their jobs during
the NCAA investigation and are suing the organization for defamation.
The crime to which Lang pleaded guilty, crossing state lines as part of
racketeering conspiracy, does not demand forfeiture of the bribe money.
Lang was required to amend his income tax returns, however, and told the court
he still owes the IRS more than $60,000 he is paying off in installments.
He testified at an earlier court appearance that he spent the money from Young.
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
Copyright 2004-2005, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved
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