Did tweets from Marvin Austin start the NCAA’s investigation of UNC football?

About a week ago, North Carolina football fans were pretty damn stoked about the upcoming season. As of this moment, they’re now sweating out an NCAA investigation that could end up being pretty friggin’ damaging.

The entire scope of the investigation hasn’t come completely into focus, but two days ago, sports agent Darren Heitner posted these interesting nuggets on his web site:

So when Joe Schad tells the world that there is a serious NCAA investigation taking place at UNC, sports agents who may be affected should begin to contact their attorneys. Schad notes that Defensive tackle Marvin Austin was a football player who was interviewed. I have a source who tells me that Austin was only 1 of 13 players who have been interviewed - this is far reaching. And it does not only extend to a number of players. The same source tells me that there are a lot of agents that may have dirty hands, including both NFLPA Certified Advisors and marketing agents. Some are being examined more than others.

It is apparently beyond just in-person meetings, rent payments, and travel expenses. We are potentially talking about all expenses paid trips to South Beach, exorbitant amounts of money dropped on accessories, and perhaps even a Bentley or two. (SportsAgentBlog.com)

I’ll just put this out there: Heitner’s not exactly a big fish in the agent pond, so I’m not sure what kind of reliable insight he has into this affair.  Fast forward to today and it appears that 13 players might be an inflated number.  According to the Raleigh News and Observer, the NCAA has focused its energy on two Tar Heel players, Marvin Austin and Greg Little:

NCAA investigators looking into the University of North Carolina’s football program have interviewed defensive tackle Marvin Austin and wide receiver Greg Little, The News & Observer has learned.

Sources familiar with the situation have said the two players were interviewed in connection with possible improper involvement with sports agents. North Carolina athletic director Dick Baddour confirmed Thursday that the NCAA had been to Chapel Hill to speak with athletes at the school but declined to provide further details.

He said the school is cooperating fully with the NCAA. He told The Associated Press that the investigation began with a phone call from the NCAA. NCAA representatives met with players Monday and Tuesday, according to a source.

NCAA rules prohibit athletes from accepting gifts from sports agents or their representatives. Athletes are prevented from making any kind of agreement with an agent about current or future representation.

For an NCAA athlete, penalties for improper involvement with an agent can be as small as being required to repay the benefit. They can also be as serious as permanent ineligibility. (Raleigh News & Observer)

So what exactly are Austin and Little in hot water about?  For starters, the same N&O article references this:

ESPN.com reported that Austin was asked about having been seen driving the vehicle of former Tar Heels defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer, a first-round pick in the 2008 draft. Balmer was a senior at North Carolina when Austin was a freshman.

Balmer’s agent is Gary Wichard, whose other clients include NFL players Antonio Cromartie and C.J. Spiller.  Wichard has told numerous outlets that he’s never had any direct contact with Austin.

That might very well be the case, but it’s curious that Austin’s position coach is John Blake, who also serves as the program’s recruiting coordinator.  During his career (that included a stint as both assistant and head coach at Oklahoma), several of Blake’s players have ended up signing with Wichard.

But I don’t think the NCAA has its panties in this big of a wad over Austin cruising around in the car of a former teammate.  It might be a trip he took to Miami back in May that threw up some red flags.

Austin shared plenty of details about his time in Florida on his Twitter account, @ANCHORMANAUSTIN.  When I checked earlier, that account has been wiped out of the Twitterverse.

Hey, this is not necessarily an admission of guilt, but I don’t think a guy with a completely clear conscience would delete a Twitter account he was so fond of (dude tweeted A LOT).  Luckily for you, I screen capped a few of his choicest selections the other night.  Here goes:

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