Former Washington assistant to receive $300,000 in mutual separation

Tosh Lupoi, a former Washington defensive line coach who is under investigation by the NCAA for allegedly violating rules while working as an assistant under Steve Sarkisian, will receive $300,000 as part of a mutual separation with the school, a Washington spokesman said Wednesday.

The allegations, first reported by the Los Angeles Times, surround the recruitment of defensive lineman Andrew Basham, who signed a letter of intent with the Huskies in February 2013 but did not qualify academically to enroll.

Mike Davis, a throwing coach who helped Basham win a Washington state title in the shot put, told The Times that Lupoi gave him $3,000 to cover private tutoring for Basham through a test preparation company. Davis also alleged that he received $1,500 from Lupoi to reimburse Basham’s father for online classes that Andrew could use to raise his grade-point average.

NCAA rules prohibit universities from paying for a prospect’s academic services.

Lupoi has denied violating NCAA rules in the recruitment of Basham.

Lupoi was not retained by the new Huskies coach, Chris Petersen, and the school announced last month that Lupoi had been reassigned to an unspecified position in the athletic department.

Carter Henderson, a Washington assistant athletic director, said Lupoi’s contract stipulated a $700,000 buyout had Lupoi been terminated without cause before Jan. 13. Henderson said the buyout decreased to $350,000 on Tuesday.

Henderson said Lupoi and the school agreed to the mutual separation and the $300,000 payment.

The Seattle Times first reported Lupoi’s departure from Washington.

Sarkisian, who left Washington after he was hired by USC on Dec. 2, had initially expressed interest in bringing Lupoi to USC. But the allegations surrounding Lupoi quashed that possibility. Sarkisian is still searching for a defensive line coach to complete his staff.

If the NCAA finds the allegations against Lupoi to be true, Sarkisian could face penalties, including suspension, unless he can prove that he promoted an atmosphere of compliance at Washington and monitored his staff.

Sarkisian said Tuesday that he had not spoken with or been contacted by the NCAA.