A previous top-level South Carolina football recruiting staffer “committed serious violations of NCAA legislation” while helping the Gamecocks, according to a USC personnels e-mail acquired by The State.
Taylor Edwards functioned as the football program’s supervisor of gamer workers fromJan 25, 2021 to July 3, 2024. His work tasks consisted of looking after the Gamecocks’ hiring procedure and acting as an intermediary in between the football program and South Carolina’s NIL cumulative, The Garnet Trust.
He left the personnel this summer season, and head trainer Shane Beamer claimed really little regarding Edwards or his separation when inquired about it by press reporters on July 15.
Internal college e-mails, acquired by The State with an open documents demand, give some clearness regarding what occurred that resulted in Edwards’ departure from USC however leave concerns regarding what it suggests for prospective NCAA examination or any kind of feasible penalty the college may deal with.
Exactly what the declared offenses were or just how major they remained in nature were not quickly understood. The papers just resolve completion of Edwards’ work with the University of South Carolina
Edwards did not quickly use remark when gotten to Thursday by The State.
USC spokesperson Charles Bloom informed The State that USC has actually not been offered with a notification of claims from the NCAA. Bloom or else did not quickly respond to concerns regarding Edwards or the offenses the papers declare occurred.
It had not been understood whether South Carolina has actually connected to the NCAA the declared offenses that the e-mails state were gotten in touch with Edwards.
Under Beamer, USC football self-reported 2 NCAA offenses in 2021 and 3 in 2022. All 5 were considered small in nature. No offenses were reported in 2023.
Taylor Edwards separation timeline
Edwards left the personnel unexpectedly this summer season, a couple of months after obtaining a raising and agreement expansion from USC.
Edwards, that signed up with the Gamecocks soon after Beamer was worked with as head trainer in 2021, obtained an expansion in January that enhanced his yearly income to $300,000.
In a note located in his workers submit that was additionally acquired with the documents demand, the raising came “in recognition of employee’s work supporting USC football NIL, recruiting, and staffing. This salary increase was requested by Head Football Coach Shane Beamer and approved by AD Ray Tanner.”
By July 3, however, he was no more with the program. In the wake of the information, Beamer would certainly not explore the thinking for Edwards’ unanticipated departure.
The inner e-mails, nevertheless, give some clearness to his last days as a USC staff member.
On June 23, South Carolina sports personnels supervisor Christina Sergi emailed Edwards with the subject line analysis: “Meeting with the Athletics Director.”
“As previously discussed,” Sergi composed, “the athletics department has determined that you have committed serious violations of NCAA legislation and your contractual obligations to the University sufficient to justify the termination.”
Sergi took place to discuss that Edwards can a “pre-termination meeting” with Tanner where he “may present the reasons you believe termination of your employment is not justified.”
Five hours afterwards preliminary e-mail, Phoenix- based legal representative Gregg Clifton– whose biography notes that he has “represented NCAA and NAIA collegiate clients regarding rules compliance, investigatory matters and in disciplinary hearings”– reacted to Sergi notifying her that he would certainly work as Edwards’ lawful agent and take part in the pre-termination conference using Zoom.
The in-person conference was arranged for the early morning of June 26 inside the sports supervisor boardroom in the Rice Athletics Complex, according to the e-mails.
On July 3, Edwards emailed Sergi and Andy Humes, USC’s elderly associate sports supervisor for conformity solutions.
“As per your conversation with Gregg Clifton earlier this morning,” Edwards contacted them, “please be advised that I will be resigning my position with the University of South Carolina, effective August 1, 2024.”
“If you have any questions,” he included, “please don’t hesitate to contact Gregg or me at your convenience.”
The BigSpur, an associate of the 247Sports network, initially reported the information that Edwards was leaving the program a day prior to he sent out that main e-mail regarding his resignation.
Other e-mails acquired by The State from USC recommended that Edwards was looking for various other work possibilities while browsing his separation from the Gamecocks.
On July 25, Humes emailed numerous individuals in the football program and the sports division, keeping in mind that some had actually obtained phone calls from prospective companies regardingEdwards If USC people obtained those phone calls, Humes claimed they can “discuss any general thoughts you may have about him as a person or his time here, but nothing about his resignation or any circumstances surrounding it.”
