Ex-Florida Coach Faced Indictment

Norm Sloan resigned as Florida basketball coach rather than face indictment on federal charges, two newspapers reported today.

The Orlando Sentinel and the Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale, each quoting unidentified sources, reported that Sloan and his lawyers were informed of the possibility of an indictment by the office of interim President Robert Bryan. It was suggested that Sloan and assistants Monte Towe, Kenny McCraney and Phil Weber resign rather than be fired after charges were filed.

The Sun-Sentinel said Sloan would have been accused of mail fraud. Neither newspaper was able to reach Sloan or Bryant for comment.

According to the Sentinel, Sloan’s lawyer, Dexter Douglass of Tallahassee, confirmed that he advised Sloan to accept resignation and retirement rather than face the charges.

When asked what basis K. Michael Moore, U.S. attorney for Florida’s northern district, would have for an indictment, Douglass said, “God only knows.”

The indictment was to be sought based on documents mailed to the NCAA by Sloan declaring that there had been no violations in his program, the Sun-Sentinel reported.

Sloan has repeatedly denied that NCAA violations occurred in his program, most recently in his Tuesday letter of resignation.

Meanwhile, Florida athletic director Bill Arnsparger confirmed that the university is investigating its track team, which was accused of numerous NCAA violations by an anonymous letter widely circulated this week.