Byron De’Vinner called into a syndicated radio show in Mississippi yesterday to clear his name.  In doing so, he also said that a Mississippi State booster — who’s been disassociated from the school — had paid at least $200 to Bulldog freshman defensive back Will Redmond.  (Redmond, for the record, has not played this season.)

Now De’Vinner has opened up to Yahoo! Sports and Pat Forde claiming that the MSU booster “made cash payments to a recruit and arranged for complimentary lodging and meals for De’Vinner, who was Redmond’s 7-on-7 coach.  He even provided hotel bills and other documentation to Yahoo! Sports to attempt to prove his claims:

“In an interview with Y! Sports, Nashville-based seven-on-seven coach Byron De’Vinner – recipient of the lodging and meals – explained in detail how former Mississippi State booster Robert Denton Herring broke multiple NCAA rules in 2011 and ’12 in an effort to land Memphis East High School defensive back Will Redmond.

De’Vinner said he also told his story to NCAA enforcement representatives, who have been investigating the allegations jointly with Mississippi State’s compliance department over the course of several months. In July the school sent Herring, who lives in Roswell, Ga., a letter informing him that he had been disassociated from the athletic program for “impermissible contact” with a recruit. In August, Bulldogs assistant coach Angelo Mirando resigned for what the school termed “unforeseen personal issues,” but sources told Y! Sports that his resignation was because of the NCAA inquiry. De’Vinner said Mirando introduced Redmond to Herring, but that the coach and booster both wanted De’Vinner “to take the fall” for their relationship.

Vanessa Brown, Redmond’s mother, declined comment to Yahoo! Sports Wednesday morning. Attempts to reach Herring and Mirando were unsuccessful. Herring has not cooperated with investigators from both the NCAA and Mississippi State.”

It gets worse for State as De’Vinner also claimed that fellow Memphis prospect Sheldon Dawson — who signed with Georgia — was questioned by the NCAA about MSU’s recruitment of him.  Also, “a source with knowledge of the investigation said the NCAA contacted nearly a dozen players who were recruited by Mississippi State.”

If those “nearly a dozen” players weren’t offered illegal benefits, no problem.  But the fact that the NCAA has spoken with that many MSU recruits should be worrisome to folks in Starkville.

On the positive side, De’Vinner told Yahoo! Sports that he believed Mirando to be the only State coach who was aware of Herring’s actions.  Herring had not previously been named as the booster in question.

De’Vinner also admitted to receiving clothes and gear from several schools other than MSU:

“If me getting gear from schools when I work a camp is a violation, then everything’s a violation. … Do I have a relationship with coaches at virtually every school?  Yeah, I do.

I’m the scapegoat for everything that’s going on. … I’m telling the truth.”

Whether De’Vinner is telling the truth or not, the more he talks, the more all those coaches he has a relationship with are puckering up a bit.

Forde’s piece is a long one and we’ve only given you a taste of it.  Click above to read the piece in its entirety.

Update: De’Vinner tells the Clarion-Ledger in a phone interview this morning that Herring attempted to persuade “at least 10″ recruits to attend MSU.

Notre Dame to join ACC and ACC to raise exit fees… nixing rumors of ACC schools joining SEC
LB Chase Vasser and CB Sanders Commings come off of suspension at Georgia
Former 7-on-7 coach says MSU booster paid at least $200 to freshman DB Will Redmond
Auburn’s Gene Chizik won’t discuss whether NCAA is investigating recruitment of former Tiger Jovon Robinson
Both Auburn and MSU investigations are part of NCAA crackdown on Memphis-area recruiting
SEC suspends Ole Miss DB Trae Elston one game for targeting a defenseless UTEP receiver last Saturday
ESPN’s “College GameDay” to broadcast from Circle Park before Florida’s game at Tennessee this weekend
Keep up with all your SEC news at MrSEC.com and twitter.com/mrsec

Uh-oh.

Nashville-based 7-on-7 football coach Byron De’Vinner — a key figure in the NCAA’s ongoing look at Memphis area recruiting — told the syndicated Mississippi radio show “Head To Head” that he witnessed a “handshake” between a Mississippi State booster and Bulldog freshman defensive back Will Redmond.  When the shake was complete, Redmond — then an MSU recruit — had about $200 in his hand.  And ex-receivers coach Angelo Mirando was aware of the payment.

For the backstory on Redmond, De’Vinner — who promised to come clean with what he knew of the NCAA investigation in late-August — and Mirando — who resigned abruptly right before the season started — click right here.  The guys at the “Head to Head” show have also posted a July letter in which MSU disassociated itself from a booster.   You can also listen to the full 12-minute interview with De’Vinner right here.

Following his appearance on the radio show (congrats to those guys, as I’ve been on with them many times), De’Vinner confirmed to The Jackson Clarion-Ledger that he had indeed been the man on the show.  While on the air he said:

“Will Redmond is a kid that was basically taken advantage of by a booster and by an assistant coach…

(After refusing to name the booster, De’Vinner said) But did I physically see inappropriate benefits?  Yes, I did…

I saw where the booster sent him a jacket through the mail and you know, things of that nature.  He lined up an official visit and lined up other things inappropriately.”

De’Vinner denied that the booster bought a 2010 Ford Mustang for Redmond, which was the topic of another story posted by The Dispatch newspaper of Columbus, Starkville and The Golden Triangle last month.

De’Vinner — who coached Redmond in 7-0n-7 ball — said that he interviewed for a job in the Mississippi State athletic department in January.  Hmmm.  Just before signing day when Redmond inked with State.  What an interesting time for an interview.

De’Vinner says that he is a friend of Redmond’s family, but in his attempt to clear his own name he certainly seems to be putting the player’s career in jeopardy (if it weren’t already in jeopardy).  Some will no doubt claim that De’Vinner is simply getting back at MSU because he was not hired by State after his January interview.

Read the rest of this entry »

Heading out the door and I don’t have time to break Mississippi State’s situation down as I had hoped.  My apologies.  So instead, here’s a quickie overview of the situation via links:

1.  Jerry Hinnen of CBSSports.com put together a good overview of the situation yesterday afternoon.

2.  Kyle Veazey of The Memphis Commercial Appeal says everyone the NCAA is chatting with in Memphis is apparently being asked about MSU’s football program.

3.  Brad Locke of The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal focuses on the Bulldog booster who’s been disassociated from State’s program.

4.  Brandon Marcello of The Jackson Clarion-Ledger does likewise.

5.  David Murray of Dawgs’Bite — the Scout site covering MSU — looks at the four pages of documents released by the school yesterday.

6.  Last week, we also linked you to word from Matt Stevens of The Columbus Dispatch that the NCAA is focusing in on a car purchased for Bulldog freshman Will Redmond.

Bottom line: This isn’t looking good for MSU.

On Sunday, Mississippi State receivers coach Angelo Mirando abruptly resigned less than two weeks before the Bulldogs’ opener.  Yesterday afternoon, the school confirmed that the NCAA has been investigating a “potential recruiting irregularity” at State.  Head coach Dan Mullen said: “That’s been going for the last several months.  I’m not able to comment on any of that.”

2+2=4, right?  Mirando is at the heart of the NCAA’s investigation, correct?

Maybe.

According to Joe Schad of ESPN and John Martin and Kyle Veazey of The Memphis Commercial-Appeal, the NCAA is looking into the recruitment of receiver-turned-defensive back Will Redmond who signed with State in February.  The NCAA has been taking a closer look at Memphis in recent months, and the player’s former coach at Memphis East High School has admitted that NCAA official spoke to him. 

But Marcus Wimberly wouldn’t detail to The Commercial-Appeal what the NCAA had asked him or if they’d spoken about Redmond at all:

“It was nothing specific.  I guess that’s when they were starting in the area.  Just general questions.”

Wimberly is the third person connected to Memphis high school football who has admitted to speaking with the NCAA since signing day.  (More on this front later.)

But Wimberly did tell ESPN’s Schad that Redmond was part of the conversation:

“I told them as far as I was concerned his recruitment was on the up and up.  Who knows what they’re looking for.  Will chose his school because he felt most comfortable and it was close to home.”

Schad’s mention of Redmond’s name drew the ire of Mullen, who said that Redmond is still with the team:

“Yeah, he’s practicing.  I would try to get a little more reliable source than Joe Schad.  (Laughing)  I’m supposed to be coaching at State College (Penn State), I guess, right now, too, according to Joe Schad last year.  Wasn’t that the case?”

Schad also once authored an ESPN piece that claimed Cam Newton spoke to two MSU recruiters about a pay-for-play plan prior to Newton’s signing with Auburn.  In it he wrote that Newton had told one State recruiter that his father, Cecil, had picked AU because “the money was too much.”  From there, it didn’t take long for some to suggest that Megan Mullen — the coach’s wife who was very close to Newton — was the person who’d been told “the money was too much.”

So Mullen probably dislikes Schad for more than just job rumors he posted online.

Now Schad reports that Mirando — who claimed he was stepping down because of “unforeseen personal issues” — is involved in the NCAA’s probe.  Can you say, “Friction?”

As for the NCAA, spokesperson Stacey Osburn told The Jackson Clarion-Ledger:

“We are nearing the end of this examination, and it is our intent to provide additional details when it is complete.”

MSU also put out an official statement that practically mirrored that of the NCAA:

“Over the last several months, Mississippi State has worked in cooperation with the NCAA to examine a potential recruiting irregularity.  We are nearing the end of this examination, and it is our intent to provide additional details when it is complete.”

That’s reason for concern for Bulldog fans.  When the NCAA snoops around a program and finds nothing, it usually just goes away.  Providing “additional details” suggests the NCAA has found some type of wrongdoing… tiny, small, big, major, etc.  What other details would they provide?

Now, back to the three people associated with Memphis high school football who’ve spoken to the NCAA.  One of those men is Byron De’Vinner who was Redmond’s 7-on-7 coach.  Reportedly, De’Vinner: “questioned the methods and pointed fingers to the staff at Memphis East High who, he said, are directing NCAA investigators to him because they do not like him.  He’s also worried about Redmond’s future.”

You’ve heard us talk about De’Vinner on this site recently.  Just eight days ago in fact.  That’s because he’s also been tied to the Jovon Robinson situation at Auburn.  Robinson has been ruled ineligible at AU after a guidance counselor at Memphis Wooddale High School admitted to doctoring his high school transcript.

De’Vinner was contacted by The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal and asked if he had any connection to Mirando, the former MSU assistant.  His response?  “I don’t even want to talk about all that stuff.  I’m sorry.”

But with his phone likely ringing out of control, it appears De’Vinner has tired of being connected to NCAA investigations.  He texted several media outlets last night and claimed he would “clear my name and go public.”  “I plan to tell the facts,” he texted… stating that he might hold a press conference today or tomorrow.

Meanwhile The Dispatch newspaper of Columbus, Starkville and The Golden Triangle area of Mississippi is reporting:

“…the investigation, at least in part, involves an automobile purchased for MSU freshman defensive back Will Redmond.  The Ford Mustang was purchased before Redmond signed with MSU this February from a used car dealership in his hometown of Memphis, Tenn.”

So what do we know for sure?

That the NCAA is probing Memphis.  That the names Auburn and Mississippi State are once again being tied to scandals and investigations, as was the case during the Newton fiasco.  That Mullen doesn’t like Schad.  And that De’Vinner doesn’t like the coaches at Memphis East High School.  Or having his own name dragged through the mud.

Got all that?

With less than two weeks to go before a season-opener there are many things a fan doesn’t want to hear:

* A star player has been injured in practice.

* A star player has been arrested out on the town.

* A star player is going to drug rehab (LSU).

* A freshman has been ruled ineligible by the NCAA (many, with Auburn being the latest).

One thing that doesn’t go through a fan’s mind is the possibility that an assistant coach might up and quit.  But that’s just what Mississippi State fans are coming to grips with today.  Receivers coach Angelo Mirando resigned his position on Dan Mullen’s staff yesterday… with the Bulldogs just 13 — now 12 — days away from their opener with Jackson State.

A statement was released by MSU yesterday.  In it, Mirando cited “unforeseen personal issues” as his reason for departing:

“I have enjoyed my time at Mississippi State as a graduate assistant and as an assistant coach.  I have made friends that will last a lifetime; however, due to unforeseen personal issues, I believe it is in my best interest to resign from Mississippi State.  I want to stress that these issues are personal.  I look forward to pursuing other opportunities in the future.  Finally, I want to thank my friend and mentor Dan Mullen for giving me this chance.”

Odd?  You bet. And when a team spokesperson was asked if legal or family issues brought about the resignation, the response was simply: “Personal reasons.”

Here’s Mullen’s portion of the statement regarding the exit of a coach who moved up from the GA ranks just last year:

“We appreciate Angelo and the work he did, and wish him the best in wherever the future takes him.  We’ll take some time to evaluate what our next steps will be with that staff position, but I’m confident in our veteran group of wide receivers and know they’ll be focused and ready to go Sept. 1.”

A last-minute curveball like this would be a hit to any team, but it could be particularly troublesome for State.  The Bulldogs — with Tyler Russell at quarterback — are expected to become a pass-first team in 2012.  But, on the bright side, the Bulldogs will be lead by four seniors at the wideout position, so if anyone’s going to be able to deal with a twist like this, they should be able to.

On the recruiting front, Mirando had five receivers committed to MSU as of last night.

Stay tuned…

Mississippi State University announced this week that it would be sinking $75 million into an expansion and renovation project at Davis Wade Stadium.  That kind of spending spree will obviously increase the pressure on the Bulldogs’ coaching staff to do quite a bit of winning between now and 2014 when the project is scheduled to be completed.

Dan Mullen’s apparently down with that fact, telling The Jackson Clarion-Ledger:

“I love the pressure.  Hopefully we have an SEC championship by the time we move into that stadium and create even more excitement for our fan base. I put pressure on myself every year to win, and we’ve got to put pressure on ourselves to continue to put a great product on the field and a great team the people of Mississippi can be proud of.

And there’s a lot of pressure on our fan base to step up their game even more and create an even more exciting environment.”

There’s no doubt Mullen knows how to talk the talk.  He’s inspired MSU fans to gobble up tickets like never before… thus the stadium expansion.  But this season he’ll need to start walking the walk a bit more.  After three seasons, it’s time the Bulldogs bury the “Mullen hasn’t beaten an SEC West foe other than Ole Miss” storyline once and for all.

Now, how ’bout a really bad ’80s music video to wash this story down?

Want to compete in the SEC?  Sign better athletes.

It’s really a simple equation.  And Mississippi State Dan Mullen feels his program has taken steps in that direction:

“I think we’re much more athletic than we were (in Year One).  Now, it doesn’t mean we’re going to be better football players.  We’ve got to make sure we’re better football players as well.  That’s important, too.”

Obviously.  But if the Bulldogs are making progress on the athletic-front, that’s a big positive as the coach heads into an important fourth season at MSU’s helm.

Apparently some folks just can’t tell ‘em apart.  Texas A&M and Mississippi State, that is.

Both wear maroon and white.  Both have new adidas uniforms that feature a stripe (MSU) or two stripes (A&M) running down the sleeves of the jerseys.  Both are located in small, but nice — not an insult — college towns.

Hell, both were once coached by Emory Ballard.

Still it’s a little odd that the SEC’s own shop — SECstore.com — had for sale the hat you see at left.  The one that features A&M’s logo on the front and the word “Bulldogs” on the back.

Whoops.

The SEC claims that someone at the store they use simply clicked the photo of the back of one hat and paired it with the front of another because the colors are so similar.  So apparently you really couldn’t buy an A&M hat with Bulldogs on the back.  If someone receives one in the mail after ordering it, please let us know.

Apparently this was a simple little mistake and hopefully no one’s going to lose their job over it.

Now, even though we drive folks to the SEC’s official website all the time — they’re very nice folks over there, by the way — maybe you should buy your SEC gear through our MrSEC.com Shop.  (Boom, quickie plug!)  Go to A&M’s hats on our site and you’ll see a hat with the word “Aggies” on the back.  (Boom, double plug!)

It’s been stated again and again and again — Dan Mullen in three years in Starkville has three wins over Ole Miss, zero wins over the rest of the SEC West.  It was pointed out by a questioner that of MSU’s 12 losses to those other West Division foes, four of them have come by a touchdown or less.  Mullen took things from there:

“We’ve had the opportunity to beat every one of those teams right down to the fourth quarter, last plays of the game.  The big difference for us is we have to make those game-winning plays.  We have to have guys step up and make those game-winning plays.  I think three of those teams have won the national championship (Alabama, Auburn and LSU).  So when you look, the great thing I guess in our program in the SEC West — we’re not far off from there.  Which means we’re not very far from the national title.”

Mullen said his players see how close they are to the best teams in the nation and that is helping to build confidence.  “And when you have that confidence you start winning a lot of those games, you make that big play that one play difference.”

While State has gotten close on occasion with the four top teams in the West, eight of those 12 losses have come by more than a touchdown.  For that reason, State’s probably not quite as close to a national title as Mullen suggests.  The next step is take down one of the big boys, maybe two.  Then BCS title talk might seem a whole lot more realistic.

Can’t blame a coach for sending a positive message about his program, though.