Former Morton Ranch High School standout Joe Mitchell will not be returning to Oklahoma State University this fall following a ruling by the NCAA Clearinghouse that he was academically ineligible.
MITCHELL
Mitchell is at the center of allegations of grade tampering and violations of school district policies that resulted in the suspension of Morton Ranch head coach Scott Svendsen, defensive coordinator Cody Haug and offensive coordinator Jeremy Orsagh.
The three remain on paid “administrative leave” while the district’s investigation continues.
Sources close to the investigation confirmed late Thursday that Mitchell was told by OSU officials that he would not be able to stay at the school because he was academically ineligible.
As late as Monday, Mitchell was still practicing with the football team. He was on the roster as a safety.
Following Tuesday practice, however, head coach Mike Gundy told reporters at the OSU campus in Stillwater, Okla. that Mitchell was returning to Katy “to take care of personal issues.”
“He’s got some personal issues he’s got to take care of. We learned more today about it. I’m not sure anybody knows, in detail, where they’re at,” Gundy said. “But as for now, he has to work through those issues before he can come back here. Hopefully, it could be within the next few weeks. If not, then we’d certainly like to get him back in January.”
Gundy did not elaborate on what new information the university had learned.
The day before, a spokesman at OSU confirmed the NCAA was examining Mitchell’s academic transcripts.
The transcripts are reportedly connected to the investigation into apparent violations of Katy ISD district policies by the three football coaches at Morton Ranch High.
Mitchell told reporters in Stillwater that his departure was because of “a grade” but that no transcripts were altered and his departure had nothing to do with the ongoing Morton Ranch investigation.
He also said he would be taking an additional class to improve his GPA and then retaking the SAT. After that, Mitchell said, he was going to try and return to OSU.
On Monday, OSU spokesman Gavin Lang said questions had been raised about the legitimacy of Mitchell’s transcript after the university received a tip grades had been changed to ensure the former Morton Ranch stand-out’s eligibility with the team.
The school forwarded the information to the NCAA, which said it had received the same report from another source.
Mitchell played quarterback and safety for the Mavericks, racking up 63 tackles and four interceptions in his senior year at Morton Ranch.
In a statement released last weekend, Katy ISD spokesman Steven Stanford said the district placed the three high school coaches on administrative leave as soon as it learned of the allegations.
“Katy ISD administrators were made aware this week of allegations that three Morton Ranch High School coaches were violating district policies regarding student records, possible misuse of funds, and athletic eligibility. Because of the allegations, the district has launched an investigation, during which time the three coaches will be on administrative leave,” the statement read. “Katy ISD assistant athletic director Todd McVey will serve as interim coach and campus athletic coordinator at Morton Ranch High School. Students and parents were briefed on Friday evening about the situation by senior district and campus representatives.”
In addition to the NCAA, the University Interscholastic League, which administers all athletic programs in Texas, has also been informed of the allegations.
I don’t now this young man or his family. Assuming there was a discussion about cutting corners, I doubt they were told what might happen IF grades were changed and now they find themselves in the middle of an academic, UIL, and NCAA scandal. Unfortunate does not begin to describe what is happening to the families involved.
Assuming the grades were changed (and I don’t know), I believe it is safe to say the student did not hack into the system and do it himself. It would take help at different levels of access to the software and grade book. If there is anything to these charges, does anyone believe this will be the only instance of abuse and it was caught? Every speeder gets a ticket? I don’t think so.
If he is barred from OSU this fall for academic reasons there is good news for this young man. He can enroll in a community college and after completing the required hours to transfer to a four year institution (often 24-30 semester hours) no one will ask about his high school transcript, SAT scores, class standing etc. He will be judged solely on the results of the college classes he takes.
I hope he and his family, no matter the outcome, will dust themselves off and take advantage of all educational opportunities and if he is so inclined, he will get a shot at college football. If there were violations I suspect even the coaches will be able to move forward, but it will be tough sledding for sometime to come. I hope this is all a misunderstanding, time will tell.
Good luck and stay in school.