Ball State Coach In Hot Water?

NT80 · July 16, 2007

Thompson cites school's investigation in resigning as basketball coach

July 13, 2007

MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) -- Ronny Thompson cited Ball State's internal investigation into alleged violations of NCAA rules in his resignation as basketball coach.

"Coach Thompson has expressed concerns about the process of the recent investigation of alleged NCAA violations and its conclusions," athletic director Tom Collins said at a news conference Friday.

Thompson resigned after a single 9-22 season as the Cardinals' coach in a letter Thursday to university president Jo Ann Gora. Thompson and his staff broke NCAA rules last summer and in May by attending voluntary offseason team workouts, and they lied about their involvement in the May infraction, the school has said.

Thompson is a son of Hall of Fame coach John Thompson, who won a national championship in his 27 seasons at Georgetown. His brother, John III, led Georgetown to the Final Four last season.

The Associated Press left a telephone message Friday seeking comment from Thompson.

The school has enlisted Indianapolis attorney Myra Selby, a former Indiana Supreme Court justice, to review Ball State's internal investigation into the violations.

"In doing so, we seek to ensure the integrity of our athletics program," said Collins, who expects the review to take a few weeks.

Ball State did not buy out Thompson's contract, which called for Thompson to pay a penalty if he voluntarily left the school before the deal expired in March 2011.

University attorney Jon Moll does not expect Thompson to take the position that he left his job voluntarily. That could leave open the possibility of Thompson bringing legal action against Ball State.

"He just gave a letter of resignation," Collins said.

In announcing the resignation Thursday, Ball State said Thompson had "expressed concerns about the recent NCAA investigation, as well as other issues."

Notes including racial slurs and insults were slipped under the office doors of Thompson and other basketball staff members last month. The university was investigating the source of the notes.

Without identifying any candidates to replace Thompson, Collins said that search already was under way, with Ball State receiving calls and resumes Thursday.