CORAL GABLES - Frank Haith took over as Miami's basketball coach Monday after three seasons as an assistant at Texas.
Haith replaces Perry Clark, who was fired last month after consecutive losing seasons.
"He is, in my opinion, the top assistant coach in the country and has proven to be one of the nation's top recruiters," UM athletic director Paul Dee said.
Clark went 64-55 in four years, but he was 25-33 the past two - hardly what Miami was looking for when it built a $48-million on-campus arena that opened in 2002. Miami lost 10 straight near the end of this season, its longest losing streak in a decade, and failed to reach the Big East tournament.
"All the pieces are in place for this to be a very successful basketball program," Haith said.
Haith, 38, has been an assistant at Wake Forest, Texas A&M, Penn State, UNC-Wilmington and Elon, his alma mater.
"Rape culture' exists at Colorado, advocate says
BROOMFIELD, Colo. - An advocate for sexual-assault victims told a panel investigating recruiting at Colorado that a "rape culture" exists in the school's sports programs.
Kathy Redmond, founder of the National Coalition Against Violent Athletes, said athletes have a sense of entitlement toward women at CU. "Players are taught that women are objects ... and that if you come to this school, you get women, you get sex," said Redmond, who received a $50,000 settlement from Nebraska after she accused a football player of rape in 1991. The player was never charged.
The panel, appointed by the Board of Regents, is investigating allegations that sex and alcohol are used to entice football recruits to the Boulder campus.
At least eight women since 1997 have accused football players of rape, though no charges have been filed. The state Attorney General's Office is heading a separate investigation.
Suspended football coach Gary Barnett, who shook his head at times as Redmond spoke, said afterward he wouldn't respond to specific allegations. Barnett, who addresses the panel today, is on paid leave.
UF LINEMAN HAS SURGERY: Florida senior offensive lineman Tavares Washington had knee surgery, and receiver Reggie Vickers dropped out of school, officially leaving the team.
Washington, a transfer from Mississippi Delta Junior College, had been hampered with a patella injury. He is expected to be ready for fall drills. Vickers, a senior from Belle Glade and a former high school All-American, had injuries and personal problems throughout his career. Coach Ron Zook said he had not spoken with Vickers in days but he received papers stating Vickers had withdrawn from school. He had 19 plays in four games in his career.
Also, Zook said sophomore offensive lineman Ryan Carter's career is over. Carter played in one game last season but spent most of the time battling a back injury.
In other UF news, the school had a conference-high 45 athletes make the SEC Winter Academic Honor Roll.
PAC-10 HITS HUSKIES: Washington was penalized by the Pac-10 for gambling violations and improper recruiting practices uncovered after former football coach Rick Neuheisel was fired last year. The conference placed Washington on probation for one year. Washington, still facing possible NCAA sanctions, is scheduled for a hearing before the NCAA's infractions committee June 11.
DePAUL: Basketball coach Dave Leitao withdrew from consideration for the St. John's job.
SOUTH CAROLINA ST.: Assistant Tonya Mackey was promoted to women's basketball coach.
STETSON: Melissa Wiggins of Temple Terrace, who hit .769, was named Atlantic Sun Conference softball player of the week.
TEXAS TECH: Football coach Mike Leach agreed to a three-year extension, paying him more than $1-million a year through 2008.
USF: Four applicants were added to the pool of candidates for the vacant athletic director position: Keith Lueck, director of marketing/community relations for the Columbus Wardogs (Arena Football League); Paul Gardiner, a teacher/coach/adviser for 29 years at Delran (N.J.) High; Dave Gillespie, former assistant football coach and assistant AD at Nebraska; and Val Sheley, interim associate AD at Maryland. A total of 14 have applied for the job.
- Times staff writers Antonya English and Pete Young contributed to this report.
