NCAA filing holds firm on charges in NC State case

NCAA enforcement staff is holding firm on its position that rth Carolina State committed violations tied to recruitment of former Wolfpack one-and-done star Dennis Smith Jr.

Associated Press obtained a copy Monday of enforcement staff’s filing in case from N.C. State through a public-records request. It follows December responses by school and former he coach Mark Gottfried to four NCAA charges filed last summer in wake of college basketball’s corruption scandal, with Gottfried charged individually under provision of he-coach responsibility for violations within his program.

Feb. 7 filing references phone records detailing numerous text messs or calls involving Gottfried, former Wolfpack assistant coach Orlando Early and a government witness

“ enforcement staff believes totality of evidence presented and positions taken ... toger with facts uncovered in this investigation, confirm Gassla’s credibility,” enforcement staff wrote.

next step is for NCAA to set a hearing date with an infractions committee panel, which would issue a ruling and any potential sanctions weeks to months afterwards.

In a statement, N.C. State chancellor Randy Woodson said school remains “in strong disagreement with many of characterizations and conclusions” in enforcement staff’s filing.

“As we have said throughout this process, we will vigorously defend university where necessary and take ownership where appropriate," he said. "We look forward to a hearing with infractions committee and opportunity to make our case in person."

Elliot S. Abrams and Scott Tompsett, attorneys representing Gottfried, issued a joint statement saying y “look forward to presenting our positions at upcoming hearing on this matter.”

Gottfried’s attorneys

enforcement staff disagreed, calling it a “vel argument,” and stated Gottfried didn’t equately monitor details such as roles of Gassla or Smith’s n-trainer Shawn Farmer in Smith’s recruitment.

ditionally, filing references multiple phone calls or text messs involving Gottfried, Early, Gassla and Farmer timed around Smith’s verbal commitment to school in September 2015 as well as his signing with Wolfpack that vember.

Gottfried “could t recall details about conversations or interactions” with Farmer or Gassla, according to filing.

“Red flags surrounding Smith’s recruitment were abundant and t hidden,” filing states.

case that also deals with improper complimentary missions to basketball games. Current Wolfpack coach Kevin Keatts and his staff have t been accused of wrongdoing since taking over in 2017 for Gottfried, w coach at Cal State rthridge.