With all the drama that has surrounded UCF over the past few days regarding allegations of a possible recruiting scandal and subsequent NCAA investigation, a cloud has been hanging over the school.
Despite the resignations of Keith Tribble and David Kelly, as well as a three-game suspension to Knights basketball head coach Donnie Jones, the UCF basketball team is remaining positive and looking to move forward with the program.
Full Press Conference Hitt Gave Yesterday:
Coach Jones responded to the NCAA investigation and recent events in a press conference with the media Thursday afternoon.
Jones, who will be suspended for three conference games without pay, admitted that the school made some mistakes, but reiterated that they will learn from them, grow from them and move on.
“I think we’re always going to learn from our mistakes. I think we’ve made mistakes,” Jones said. “Obviously as a leader, I accept those responsibilities for this program, for the mistakes we may have made. I think we’ll learn through the NCAA- the rules- and we’ll improve here as a program.”
Knightnews.com’s Sports Department has the transcript for you here:
On UCF responding to the allegations:
“These are allegations. We have 90 days to respond to that, and we will. We will respond to those within the 90 days.”
On the allegations setting back the program:
“We haven’t set out program back. This has nothing to do with our program today, and what these guys are doing inside these walls. We’ll put this behind us. It’s past us, and we’ll continue to improve.”
On the price of winning being too high:
“There is a way to do the price of winning, I think that’s what we’re about here at UCF, and we’ll continue to be about that. Obviously, some mistakes have been made- we’ll learn from that, and we’ll get better. We’re focused on where we are headed, and there’s some great things ahead for this program.”
On worrying about the sanctions from the NCAA:
“We’re not focused on that right now. We’re focused on our team and where we’re at because we can’t control that. I can’t control the future. We’ll focus on the now, and we’re real excited about the four kids we got commitments from and the kids that are in the program right now. We’ll continue to build on that, and let the NCAA process take care of itself.”
On losing any recruits:
“We did not – that is something we’re very excited about – these young men that we have signed. All four of them by 9 a.m. had those national letter of intents on our fax machine. It’s not like this has been a secret the last eight months.”
Coach Jones went on to talk about the four new recruits, who are Matt Williams, Dillon Correll, Taylor Barnette and Stephon Blair.
– Williams is a 6’6″ combo guard out of Jones High School, who is a “a terrific player. He had a great junior year; he played for a state championship. We’re real excited about him.”
– Correll is a “6’10” kid out of Miami. Another terrific player, as well as student. He has got a great upside.”
– Barnette is a shooting guard out of Lexington, Kentucky, who is “going to be a terrific asset, a much needed shooter in our program. He’s about 6’3″, 6’4″- he’s going to have a great career here.”
– Blair is a 6’9″, 240-pound center out of Dillard High School, who is a top 125 player in the country.
Coach Jones went on to say about the recruits:
“We’re really excited about all four of those guys, and what they bring to who we have coming back. So the future is bright, and we’re really excited about it.”
On his relationship with Keith Tribble:
“I have great respect for Keith Tribble; he’s a great man. I know I spoke to him right after practice yesterday when I heard the news. Obviously, we have a good friendship and have for a while, and we will continue to do so. I know good things will happen for Keith Tribble.”
Coach Jones ended his press conference stressing to UCF fans that a clean program is in place and will be placed above winning:
“Absolutely, I feel we’re running a clean program now. Let’s put that on the record for what we’re doing. We made some mistakes that we’ll get better from. We’ll continue to build; that’s what we came here to do, as well as win.”
Keep checking back to KnightNews.com for further updates on the alleged UCF recruiting scandal.
E-mail us at athletics@knightnews.com
