MIAMI - Hurricanes officials concede they failed to properly perform a background check on the team's top football recruit.
But they did not rescind linebacker Willie Williams' scholarship offer.
Williams, a Parade All-American, is on probation for felony burglary charges in 2002. He also is named in three criminal complaints stemming from a recruiting trip to Florida last weekend.
The complaints could lead to his arrest in Broward County for a probation violation. If Williams is arrested, he could be sentenced to five years in prison, an administrator with the Department of Corrections said Friday.
Miami athletic director Paul Dee said coaches and officials will review all the information that becomes available before making a decision on whether Williams will be allowed to enroll in school.
"In situations of this kind, we have to be fair to the prospective student-athlete," Dee said in a statement. "All other indicators are positive, specifically his academic qualifications and the recommendations of coaches and administrators."
He has been arrested 10 times since 1999, according to Florida Department of Law Enforcement records.
AUBURN: Coach Tommy Tuberville shuffled his coaching staff, moving offensive coordinator Hugh Nall back to line coach.
Nall handled both duties last season after three years as offensive line coach.
The offense was inconsistent all season, finishing 61st nationally while the team went 8-5 despite lofty preseason expectations.
Tuberville said he would begin a national search for a new coordinator immediately.
Tuberville also named secondary coach Phillip Lolley director of high school relations and moved Jimmy Perry to director of football operations. Defensive coordinator Gene Chizik, who coached defensive backs along with Lolley, will handle those duties.
COLORADO: Prosecutors said they are re-examining allegations stemming from a 2001 party for recruits during which a woman says she was raped.
Three women are suing the university, claiming they were raped during or after an off-campus party for football recruits in December 2001.
The lawsuits accuse the university of violating federal gender equity rules by fostering a hostile environment.
On Friday the school chose two ex-lawmakers (Democrat Peggy Lamm and Republican Joyce Lawrence) to head a commission to investigate. The panel must report its findings by April 30 on whether "sex and alcohol are used as recruiting tools" - claims school and athletics officials have insisted are untrue.
WEST VIRGINIA: Lineman Tim Brown (Achilles' tendon) was granted a sixth year of eligibility.
BASEBALL: South Florida shortstop Myron Leslie is rated the No.8 senior in the nation by Baseball America, and right-hander Casey Hudspeth is rated the No. 28 freshman. Junior right-hander Kyle Schmidt, a Dunedin graduate and Georgia Tech transfer, is rated the No. 2 newcomer in Conference USA and the league's No. 3 draft prospect. Leslie is C-USA's No. 5 draft prospect and catcher Devin Ivany is No. 6. The Bulls open Friday vs. East Tennessee State.
SOFTBALL: USF won twice, 2-1 over Florida and 4-2 over Arkansas in Gainesville. The Gators beat Appalachian State 10-0. ... Florida State pitcher/outfielder Jessica van der Linden was one of 40 named to USA Softball's collegiate player of the year watch list. Rain postponed FSU's season opener on Friday, but it's set to meet Illinois State at 1 today. ... Katie Dobson from Palm Harbor University pitched a complete game and Jacksonville beat Indiana 6-1 in St. Augustine. Getting two hits each were Dianna Korcak from Countryside and Janine Palumbo from PHU.
- Times staff writers Brian Landman and Pete Young contributed to this report.
