Southern Miss, NCAA reviewing 'potential issues' from Tyndall era

By foxsports
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Southern Mississippi is working with the NCAA to review "potential issues" related to the men's basketball program, athletic director Bill McGillis said Thursday.

The school released a statement confirming the review, but did not provide any details and said it would have no further comment.

Former coach Donnie Tyndall left after last season to take the Tennessee job. Doc Sadler replaced Tyndall at Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles have won more than 100 games over the past four seasons, advancing to one NCAA tournament over that span.

Bleacher Report first reported Southern Miss was under NCAA review. The report said the potential rules violations -- which include improper financial aid for ineligible players -- are from Tyndall's two seasons in Hattiesburg.

Tyndall said he had not been contacted by the NCAA when asked about the review Thursday before a Vols' practice. He said he will "cooperate 100 percent" if asked.

Tennessee released a statement saying it's aware of the "situation at Southern Miss" and did a full review of Tyndall's record before he was hired.

"We have an extensive vetting process with all potential coaching candidates, including very specific conversations with the NCAA and school officials at Southern Miss regarding compliance during coach Tyndall's tenure there, during which no issues were brought to our attention," Tennessee athletic department spokesman Jimmy Stanton said.

The 44-year-old Tyndall has had previous problems with the NCAA.

When Tyndall was coaching Morehead State in 2010, the program was placed on two years of probation for recruiting violations related to booster activity. The school's self-imposed penalties included the loss of one scholarship and other recruiting restrictions.

"I'm one of those guys that doesn't shy away from responsibility," Tyndall said about the Morehead State situation in April during his introductory press conference at Tennessee. "I learned from it and certainly don't ever expect it to happen again."