Is Post-Sampson Era Underway?

There's no official word from Indiana University officials, but plenty of reports are surfacing that Indiana is severing ties with Kelvin Sampson in the wake of five alleged major recruiting violations committed by him and his staff...

Bloomington, Ind. – The post-Kelvin Sampson era appears to be set to begin.

Citing unnamed sources, Fox Sports’ Jeff Goodman reported earlier today that Sampson was informed early Thursday that he would not be coaching the Hoosiers for the remainder of the season. It was unclear, though, whether Sampson was being fired or suspended.

Similar reports have surfaced on WTHR's website as well as on CBSSportsline.com.

No official announcement has come from the university on Sampson’s status, and IU Media Relations Director J.D. Campbell told Goodman he didn’t know if the reports about Sampson were true. While IU’s players had a team meeting at Assembly Hall at 3 p.m. Thursday, Campbell said that was a regularly scheduled rules compliance meeting.

An official announcement could come Friday on Sampson, who has landed himself in hot water due to five alleged major recruiting violations committed from 2006-07 while he was on NCAA probation due to similar issues while he was at Oklahoma. IU President Michael McRobbie instructed IU Athletic Director Rick Greenspan to conduct a seven-day investigation and give him a recommendation on Sampson’s future with the program. Greenspan is supposed to provide McRobbie with his recommendation no later than Friday.

Goodman also reported that McRobbie had lunch Thursday with both IU faculty rep Bruce Jaffee and university counsel/vice president Dororthy Frapwell, both of whom have been working with Greenspan on the recent investigation. It was unclear whether Greenspan was also at the meeting, and they avoided reporters afterwards.

If this is the end for Sampson, it is believed that Assistant Coach Dan Dakich will coach the team for the remainder of the season. Dakich’s first game would be Saturday, when the Hoosiers travel to Evanston, Ill., to take on the Wildcats.