Northridge Lays Down Law With Prospective Transfer

Coach Dave Baldwin spoke in glowing terms Monday morning about the transfer running back who would give his Cal State Northridge football team instant credibility.

“A legit Pac-10 player,” Baldwin called Derek Poole, the former Nevada high school player of the year who said he would transfer from Oregon State to Northridge and be ready for practice next week.

But hours later, Baldwin learned from a reporter that Poole had pleaded guilty to a felony in Oregon and Poole’s scholarship offer was rescinded.

“[Poole] is not going to sign with us,” Baldwin said. “We just can’t go any further with this.”

When the Northridge coaches first contacted Oregon State about Poole, they were told the back was a “quality kid,” but there was no mention of his troubles with the law.

“I’m not going to say how or who misled us,” Baldwin said. “I’m going to have to take the blame for this.”

Poole was one of nine freshmen on the Oregon State team indicted in June on felony charges of theft of services for making thousands of dollars worth of long-distance phone calls billed to a university calling card.

Poole pleaded guilty June 13 and agreed to a diversion program, meaning he won’t be convicted if he avoids other arrests until Dec. 13--six months after his arraignment--and meets several other conditions, including repaying the university.

Poole and his roommate, fullback Micah Moore, reportedly made $3,300 worth of calls charged to the university.

Poole also is being investigated in connection with a robbery that occurred in an Oregon State residence hall June 7, said Eric Davenport, a detective in the Oregon State Police Dept.

Poole, a 5-foot-11, 194-pound tailback, was considered one of the prizes of Oregon State’s recruiting class after a stellar career at Western High in Las Vegas, where he ran for 1,269 yards and 16 touchdowns and recorded 126 tackles his senior year. He was Nevada player of the year and received All-American mention.

But he played in only seven games his freshman season at Oregon State, carrying the ball four times for eight yards. The lack of playing time is why Poole asked for his release, according to his father.

Northridge defensive coordinator Ron Ponciano, who recruited Poole after the running back was released by Oregon State, said he didn’t thoroughly check Poole’s records because of what he had heard from an Oregon State coach.

“One of their coaches said he’s a great kid who got caught up with a bunch of other players but was not charged or anything,” Ponciano said.

“I’m going to have to talk to that coach and get down to the bottom of this. I want to know why [his guilty plea] wasn’t brought up.

“Usually you can trust guys.”

Poole did not return phone calls to his home in Las Vegas.