As if the North Carolina football program didn’t have enough scars from the past few seasons, the NCAA has concluded that former Tar Heels star wideout Hakeem Nicks played while academically ineligible during the 2008 season, according to the Raleigh News & Observer.
Nicks received improper academic help from a tutor. The NCAA specifically called the situation “academic fraud.”
Nicks’ agent, Peter Schaffer, essentially rolled out the “don’t know/don’t care” defense.
“We have no knowledge of that whatsoever,” Schaffer said, adding that “[i]t’s low on the totem pole of relevant issues.”
Nicks previously was found to have received $3,300 in “impermissible assistance” as part of a broad and multi-layered scandal that resulted in coach Butch Davis being fired and multiple players being suspended.
The team’s wins have been vacated for 2008 and 2009. Nicks’ various career and single-season records will stand, with an asterisk.
Nicks capped his career with a dominant performance in the Meineke Car Care Bowl, with eight catches for 217 yards and three touchdowns in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. The Tar Heels won’t have to worry about vacating that one, however, because West Virginia came from behind to win the game, 31-30.
