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    Nick Saban responds to Alabama football tampering accusations with Louisville transfer Tyler Harrell

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    Alabama football coach Nick Saban responded Wednesday to accusations that the program tampered with wide receiver Tyler Harrell before he entered the transfer portal.

    The former Louisville wide receiver announced he would be transferring to Alabama in April, just 10 days after entering the portal, which has been compared to free agency in college football. 

    Louisville coach Scott Satterfield told 247Sports last week that he believed tampering occurred, but admitted he couldn’t prove it. 

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    Alabama coach Nick Saban watches players warm up for the College Football Playoff championship NCAA football game against Georgia on Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

    On Wednesday, Saban was asked about the tampering accusations before he was set to play in the Regions Tradition Pro-Am at Greystone Golf and Country Club in Hoover, Alabama.

    “We don’t tamper with anybody,” Saban said, via The Tuscaloosa News. “I don’t know of anything or anybody that tampered with him. I don’t really know that anybody has tampered with our players. I just think that sometimes when things happen, it makes you wonder. I’m not making any accusations against anybody that has done anything with our players, and I don’t have any knowledge of anybody that has done anything with anybody else’s players.”

    Under new regulations, NCAA teams are not allowed to contact a player until that player enters their name in the transfer portal. Satterfield implied that Alabama recruited Harrell before he entered the portal, which would have violated NCAA rules.

    “I think it’s not only him, it’s happened before here,” Satterfield said. “Last year we had a few guys that jumped into the portal, and the next day they’re announcing where they’re going. You can look at that and know that something went on before they were in the portal.”

    Louisville Cardinals head coach Scott Satterfield points to the big screen as he reacts to a play during the college football game between the Clemson Tigers and the Louisville Cardinals on November 6, 2021, at Cardinal Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky.  (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

    ALABAMA’S NICK SABAN WANTS NIL CHANGE, FEARS ‘SITUATION WHERE YOU CAN BASICALLY BUY PLAYERS’

    Harrell had a career-best season in 2021 with Louisville, catching 18 passes for 523 yards while averaging an impressive 29.1 yards per reception.

    Saban has already added several transfers this offseason, including Georgia wide receiver Jermaine Burton, and Georgia Tech All-ACC running back Jahmyr Gibbs.

    Saban recently expressed caution about using the transfer portal, and he likened the current name, image and likeness (NIL) system in college football to buying players. He said he supported players being compensated but suggested there was an issue with players being free to move from school to school without repercussion.

    “That creates a situation where you can basically buy players,” Saban added. “You can do it in recruiting. I mean, if that’s what we want college football to be, I don’t know. And you can also get players to get in the transfer portal to see if they can get more someplace else than they can get at your place.”

    Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide during warm ups before playing the Texas A&M Aggies  at Kyle Field on October 09, 2021 in College Station, Texas. (Bob Levey/Getty Images)

    On Wednesday, Saban noted that during the recruiting process it is difficult to control third parties “whether it’s direct or indirect.”

    “When you have a guy leave your program and go someplace else the day after the game… I don’t have any evidence that anything happened, and I’m not making accusations, but it makes you wonder I guess,” he said, via the outlet. “But hopefully, we have enough honesty and integrity out there amongst us professionally in our sport that people are going to abide by the rules.”

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    Alabama is expected to make another run for the title this year, after losing to the Bulldogs in the College Football Playoff National Championship in January. 

    Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report

    NCAA Women’s Final Four: South Carolina defense smothers Louisville in semifinal win

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    Standing near the top of the key, Louisville point guard Hailey Van Lith spotted an opening in the South Carolina defense.

    The Cardinals were trailing by nine early in the fourth quarter on Friday night, and with most everything else failing, Louisville’s leading scorer and spark plug tried to make something happen.

    Van Lith drove to her left, hoping to carve out a clear path to the basket. But in an instant, Brea Beal was on the scene. Using her quickness and a six-inch height advantage, the Gamecocks guard met Van Lith at the free-throw line and hounded her all the way to the hoop.

    Van Lith tossed up an off-balance runner that caromed harmlessly off the backboard and into the arms of South Carolina’s Aliyah Boston, who started a fast break that Beal finished on the other end with a layup.

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    South Carolina’s Aliyah Boston fouls Louisville’s Olivia Cochran during the second half of a college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Women’s Final Four NCAA tournament Friday, April 1, 2022, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

    That exchange typified most of the night for the Cardinals, who lost 72-59 in the NCAA women’s national semifinal. The Gamecocks’ defense, one of the best in the nation, proved to be too much for Louisville, which averaged 72.2 points per game this season but wilted under South Carolina’s pressure and tough matchups.

    Beal and fellow guard Destanni Henderson pestered Van Lith all game, limiting her to just nine points on 4-for-11 shooting after she averaged 21.5 points over the first four games of the NCAA Tournament.

    “They did a really good job of making it hard for me to even get the ball,” Van Lith said. “They obviously clearly were not going to let me get touches. They basically face-guarded me the whole game. They did a good job of executing that.”

    Louisville isn’t the only team to buckle under South Carolina’s crushing defense. The Gamecocks finished the season rated third in the nation defensively, allowing just 50.5 points per game. They stepped up their efforts in the NCAA Tournament, smothering their opponents at a record pace.

    “I think it’s just a mentality to have every single game,” Beal said. “You can’t just turn it on and turn it off when you choose to. … Especially now, you just have to lock in and know what your job is to do offensively and defensively.”

    In their 79-21 victory over Howard in the first round, the Gamecocks gave up just four points in the first half — an NCAA Tournament first/second-round record, as was the 21 points overall allowed in a game.

    South Carolina kept up the pressure in the second round, defeating Miami 49–33. The 54 points combined were fewest a team had ever allowed in the first two rounds of the tournament, beating the previous record by 17.

    “We just like to be disruptive, take the first option away, the second option away and then have you play with a short shot clock,” Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley said of her team’s defensive approach. “Not a whole lot of teams are super efficient in low-shot clock situations, so we try to put them in that, and then we rebound the basketball.”

    Lamar Jackson will join Johnny Unitas with this accomplishment next month

    Lamar Jackson will join Johnny Unitas in an exclusive club next month.

    The University of Louisville will retire Jackson’s No. 8 in a ceremony on Nov. 13, the school announced Saturday. Jackson will join Unitas as the only players in school history to have numbers retired. Louisville retired the Pro Football Hall of Famer’s No. 16 in 2003.

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    Lamar Jackson (8) of the Louisville Cardinals runs with the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats during a game at Commonwealth Stadium on November 25, 2017 in Lexington, Kentucky.  (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

    “Lamar earned the Heisman and then the NFL MVP, and he’s not even 25 years old.  Even more remarkable, he’s only getting better. He was born shortly before Tom Brady entered the league so has the time to go beyond anything we’ve seen before,” Louisville vice president/athletics director Vince Tyra said in a release.

    “His humble heart and grounded approach endears him to his teammates, his coaches and any staff he’s ever been around.  He knows it takes eleven to be successful on offense, not one. We’re so proud to retire his number 8 for what he has accomplished so far but are equally excited about what’s to come. This city has big L’s up for our guy.”

    Lamar Jackson (8) of the Louisville Cardinals warms up for a game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter Finley Stadium on October 5, 2017 in Raleigh, North Carolina.  (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

    During his Louisville career, Jackson passed for 9,043 yards and 69 touchdowns and rushed for a school-record 4,132 yards and 50 touchdowns. The Baltimore Ravens selected him in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He won the NFL MVP award in 2019.

    “I feel like I won a Heisman again,” he said in a video posted on the school’s Twitter account.

    Johnny Unitas, number 19 from the Colts. (Photo by Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images)

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    Louisville will host Syracuse on the jersey retirement day.

    Potter leads No. 12 Wisconsin past No. 23 Louisville 85-48

    The 12th-ranked Wisconsin Badgers overwhelmed short-handed Louisville, handing the No. 23 Cardinals their worst loss in more than 60 years.

    Micah Potter scored 20 points and Aleem Ford added 12 to lead the Badgers an 85-48 non-conference victory over short-handed No. 23 Louisville on Saturday in a rescheduled ACC/Big Ten Challenge game.

    It was Louisville’s most-lopsided loss since since Xavier beat the Cardinals 99-59 on Feb. 13, 1956.

    “We were thoroughly out-played, out-manned, out-toughed, out-coached,” Louisville coach Chris Mack said. “Wisconsin’s got a veteran crew. They played like a million bucks and didn’t miss a shot from the field. We never really offered resistance the entire way.”

    CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

    The Cardinals, playing their first game since Dec. 1 after team activities were suspended due to coronavirus issues within the program, were without leading scorer Carlik Jones. The graduate transfer point guard, averaging 17.3 points, traveled with the team, but didn’t play.

    Louisville (4-1), playing its first road game, originally had been scheduled to play at Wisconsin on Dec. 9.

    Trevor Anderson added 11 points and Brad Davison 10 for Wisconsin (6-1), which rolled to a 44-18 halftime lead.

    David Johnson had 12 points and Quinn Slazinski 11 for the Cardinals.

    “Obviously really pleased with the way we played,” Wisconsin coach Greg Gard said. “One of the more complete games we’ve probably played this year. Got a ton of contributions across the board. Everybody that stepped in there, I thought did a good job. I thought we got better, figured some things out as the game went on.”

    The Badgers gained control early with 16 consecutive points, capping the run at 25-4 when Davison was fouled on a 3-pointer and added the free throw.

    Louisville, which started two freshmen and three sophomores, went almost nine minutes without scoring, missing 11 shots and committing six turnovers over that span, and obviously missed Jones.

    “He changes our team,” Mack said. “The ball-handling responsibilities don’t solely fall on him. It’s not going to make up whatever the deficit was. It is what it is. Those are the cards we’re dealt. Had we fought and done the things early in the game to give ourselves a chance going into halftime, then maybe the game’s different.”

    Wisconsin relied on its 3-point shooting to extend the lead to 44-18 at the half. D’Mitirk Trice put the Badgers up 6-0 with a pair of 3-pointers. Wisconsin finished the half 10 of 17 beyond the arc, including three each by Trice and Davison.

    Wisconsin led comfortably throughout the second half. Anderson’s 3-pointer capped a 13-0 run that put the Badgers up 80-38 with 3:40 remaining.

    The Badgers shot 54.4 percent, making 31 of 57 shots, including 16 of 25 from three-point range. Wisconsin also scored 19 points off 18 Louisville turnovers.

    Wisconsin’s victory gives the Big Ten a 7-5 lead in the ACC/Big Ten challenge and enables them to clinch it.

    “When you get 22 assists, you’re not doing that by accident,” Gard said. “The ball’s moving. We played pretty well inside-out. We were able to touch the post, whether it was driving and kicking, touching the post and playing from within there. For the most part, we took pretty good shots. And when you take good shots, I trust if you give us enough of them, we’re probably going to knock a few down.”

    POLL IMPLICATIONS

    Wisconsin should benefit from the lopsided victory over a ranked team, short-handed or not. Louisville probably will drop out of the Top 25.

    BIG PICTURE

    Louisville: The youthful Cardinals need the leadership and experience of Jones as they rebound from the lengthy coronavirus-related hiatus.

    Wisconsin: The Badgers have benefited from continuing to play with victories over Rhode Island and Loyola in games added to the scheduled after other games were canceled due to COVID situations.

    UP NEXT

    Louisville is at Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

    Wisconsin hosts Nebraska on Tuesday.

    NFL, NBA, WNBA players should steer athletes away from Louisville, Kentucky amid Breonna Taylor case, Rev. Jesse Jackson says

    Rev. Jesse Jackson called on professional athletes to discourage high-profile high school athletes from attending the University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky in wake of the Breonna Taylor indictment decision.

    Jackson particularly called on players from the NFL, NBA and WNBA to help him out.

    HERSCHEL WALKER APPLAUDS BIDEN OVER LOUISVILLE VIOLENCE RESPONSE, CHALLENGES HARRIS

    “The players in the WNBA, NFL & NBA must discourage high profile athletes, basketball & football players, from going to the University of Kentucky & the University of Louisville. We must make economic life in KY inconvenient. This tactic has always worked for oppressed people,” Jackson tweeted.

    Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear was asked about Jackson’s tweet and said he disagreed with the reverend’s call, according to WKYT-TV. He said the schools didn’t have anything to do with the Taylor case.

    COWBOYS’ DAK PRESCOTT ON BREONNA TAYLOR INDICTMENT DECISION: ‘THAT’S DISGUSTING’

    Former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison was indicted on three counts of wanton endangerment in the first degree, a Jefferson County grand jury announced Wednesday. The other two officers at the focal point of the investigation avoided charges. No officer was charged in Taylor’s death.

    The indictment was announced 194 days after Taylor, 26, was shot six times by the officers who entered her home during a botched drug raid on March 13.

    Authorities found that the bullets fired by Hankison traveled into the neighboring apartment while three residents were home – a male, a pregnant female and a child – Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron said at a press conference after the grand jury’s announcement.

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    Hankinson faces up to five years on each of three counts if convicted, Cameron said.

    NFL, NBA, WNBA players should steer athletes away from Louisville, Kentucky amid Breonna Taylor case, Rev. Jesse Jackson says

    Rev. Jesse Jackson called on professional athletes to discourage high-profile high school athletes from attending the University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky in wake of the Breonna Taylor indictment decision.

    Jackson particularly called on players from the NFL, NBA and WNBA to help him out.

    HERSCHEL WALKER APPLAUDS BIDEN OVER LOUISVILLE VIOLENCE RESPONSE, CHALLENGES HARRIS

    “The players in the WNBA, NFL & NBA must discourage high profile athletes, basketball & football players, from going to the University of Kentucky & the University of Louisville. We must make economic life in KY inconvenient. This tactic has always worked for oppressed people,” Jackson tweeted.

    Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear was asked about Jackson’s tweet and said he disagreed with the reverend’s call, according to WKYT-TV. He said the schools didn’t have anything to do with the Taylor case.

    COWBOYS’ DAK PRESCOTT ON BREONNA TAYLOR INDICTMENT DECISION: ‘THAT’S DISGUSTING’

    Former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison was indicted on three counts of wanton endangerment in the first degree, a Jefferson County grand jury announced Wednesday. The other two officers at the focal point of the investigation avoided charges. No officer was charged in Taylor’s death.

    The indictment was announced 194 days after Taylor, 26, was shot six times by the officers who entered her home during a botched drug raid on March 13.

    Authorities found that the bullets fired by Hankison traveled into the neighboring apartment while three residents were home – a male, a pregnant female and a child – Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron said at a press conference after the grand jury’s announcement.

    CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

    Hankinson faces up to five years on each of three counts if convicted, Cameron said.

    Father of Louisville wide receiver dies from coronavirus complications

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    The father of Louisville wide receiver Corey Reed Jr. died Wednesday from complications of the coronavirus, the team announced.

    Reed’s father died in a hospital in his hometown of Atlanta. He was 43.

    CLEMSON’S TREVOR LAWRENCE, GIRLFRIEND ALLOWED TO REVIVE CORONAVIRUS VICTIMS FUNDRAISER AFTER CONFUSION

    “My deepest condolences go out to Corey and his entire family,” Louisville Cardinals football coach Scott Satterfield said in a statement.

    “This horrible virus has affected so many people, and it’s even more difficult when it touches someone in the UofL football family,” he added. “We have been in contact with Corey and his family, and are here to support him during this extremely difficult time.”

    NCAA PLANS TO EXTEND ELIGIBILITY OF SPRING SPORTS ATHLETES

    Reed entered Louisville prior to the start of the 2017 season. He played four games his freshman year and caught eight passes for 145 yards. Reed only played one game his sophomore year.

    Corey Reed’s father tragically passed away. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

    He entered the transfer portal last year and ended up playing four games at Iowa Western Community College before returning to Louisville last month, according to 24/7 Sports.

    CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

    As of Wednesday, Georgia had at least 1,600 coronavirus cases and at least 55 deaths. There have been at least 76,500 cases across the U.S. with roughly 23,000 deaths.

    Father of Louisville wide receiver dies from coronavirus complications

    Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. Sign up here.

    The father of Louisville wide receiver Corey Reed Jr. died Wednesday from complications of the coronavirus, the team announced.

    Reed’s father died in a hospital in his hometown of Atlanta. He was 43.

    CLEMSON’S TREVOR LAWRENCE, GIRLFRIEND ALLOWED TO REVIVE CORONAVIRUS VICTIMS FUNDRAISER AFTER CONFUSION

    “My deepest condolences go out to Corey and his entire family,” Louisville Cardinals football coach Scott Satterfield said in a statement.

    “This horrible virus has affected so many people, and it’s even more difficult when it touches someone in the UofL football family,” he added. “We have been in contact with Corey and his family, and are here to support him during this extremely difficult time.”

    NCAA PLANS TO EXTEND ELIGIBILITY OF SPRING SPORTS ATHLETES

    Reed entered Louisville prior to the start of the 2017 season. He played four games his freshman year and caught eight passes for 145 yards. Reed only played one game his sophomore year.

    Corey Reed’s father tragically passed away. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

    He entered the transfer portal last year and ended up playing four games at Iowa Western Community College before returning to Louisville last month, according to 24/7 Sports.

    CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

    As of Wednesday, Georgia had at least 1,600 coronavirus cases and at least 55 deaths. There have been at least 76,500 cases across the U.S. with roughly 23,000 deaths.

    Rick Pitino returns to college basketball as Iona coach

    NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — Hall of Famer Rick Pitino was named basketball coach at Iona College on Saturday.

    Pitino coached at Louisville from 2001-17 before being fired in a pay-for-play scandal and had been coaching in Greece. He replaces Tim Cluess, who resigned Friday due to health concerns after 10 years and six NCAA Tournament appearances.

    “My passion in basketball started in New York and will end there at Iona College,” Pitino said in a statement released by the Catholic school located north of New York City in suburban Westchester County that has an undergraduate enrollment of 3,300 students.

    ST. JOHN’S MASCOT’S IMAGE SITTING IN EMPTY ARENA RESONATES WITH FANS AS NCAA CANCELS TOURNAMENTS

    “Tim Cluess has done a spectacular job creating success and a winning spirit,” Pitino added. “At Iona, I will work with the same passion, hunger and drive that I’ve had for over 40 years.”

    “At Iona, I will work with the same passion, hunger and drive that I’ve had for over 40 years.”

    — Rick Pitino

    Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino was fired by the University of Louisville after the launch of a federal fraud investigation. (Associated Press)

    The 67-year-old Pitino has a 770-271 overall record in college and became the first coach to take three different schools to the Final Four. He won national championships at Louisville (2013) and Kentucky (1996) and also went to the Final Four with Providence in 1987.

    Pitino coached twice in the NBA, with the New York Knicks (1987-89) and the Boston Celtics (1997-2001), where he was also team president.

    Last June, Pitino coached Panathinaikos to the championship in the Greek League.

    Iona President Seamus Carey said “after a thorough interview process we are confident that Rick’s experience and commitment to Iona and our community make him the right person to continue to build on Tim Cluess’ success.”

    EX-COACH RICK PITINO, LINKED TO STRIPPER SCANDAL, DENIES NAMING HORSE PARTY DANCER

    Pitino’s return to college basketball comes nearly six months after he and Louisville settled lawsuits stemming from his departure in the wake of a federal investigation of corruption in college basketball.

    The coach had sued the University of Louisville Athletic Association for more than $38.7 million in November 2017, alleging its breached its contract by firing him for cause the previous month. The school had countersued and sought monetary damages for vacated games and bonuses. Pitino received no money in the settlement, with his personnel file changing from termination to a resignation effective 13 days before he was fired.

    The settlement closed a bitter final chapter between the school and Pitino, who wasn’t named in the federal complaint. He repeatedly said he knew nothing about payments made to the family of a recruit to sign with Louisville.

    The school’s acknowledgement of its involvement in the federal investigation occurred as it appealed NCAA sanctions that cost Louisville its 2013 national championship.

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    In that case, the governing body ordered the vacation of 123 victories, including the Cardinals’ third national title and their 2012 Final Four appearance, following an escort’s book allegations that former Louisville men’s basketball staffer Andre McGee hired her and other dancers to strip and have sex with players and recruits.

    Pitino said he was unaware of any of the activities described in the book. While Louisville reiterated in a joint settlement statement that infractions under his watch led to “serious consequences” for the school, it acknowledged Pitino’s success and commitment to his players and thanked him for his service.

    Rick Pitino returns to college basketball as Iona coach

    NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — Hall of Famer Rick Pitino was named basketball coach at Iona College on Saturday.

    Pitino coached at Louisville from 2001-17 before being fired in a pay-for-play scandal and had been coaching in Greece. He replaces Tim Cluess, who resigned Friday due to health concerns after 10 years and six NCAA Tournament appearances.

    “My passion in basketball started in New York and will end there at Iona College,” Pitino said in a statement released by the Catholic school located north of New York City in suburban Westchester County that has an undergraduate enrollment of 3,300 students.

    ST. JOHN’S MASCOT’S IMAGE SITTING IN EMPTY ARENA RESONATES WITH FANS AS NCAA CANCELS TOURNAMENTS

    “Tim Cluess has done a spectacular job creating success and a winning spirit,” Pitino added. “At Iona, I will work with the same passion, hunger and drive that I’ve had for over 40 years.”

    “At Iona, I will work with the same passion, hunger and drive that I’ve had for over 40 years.”

    — Rick Pitino

    Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino was fired by the University of Louisville after the launch of a federal fraud investigation. (Associated Press)

    The 67-year-old Pitino has a 770-271 overall record in college and became the first coach to take three different schools to the Final Four. He won national championships at Louisville (2013) and Kentucky (1996) and also went to the Final Four with Providence in 1987.

    Pitino coached twice in the NBA, with the New York Knicks (1987-89) and the Boston Celtics (1997-2001), where he was also team president.

    Last June, Pitino coached Panathinaikos to the championship in the Greek League.

    Iona President Seamus Carey said “after a thorough interview process we are confident that Rick’s experience and commitment to Iona and our community make him the right person to continue to build on Tim Cluess’ success.”

    EX-COACH RICK PITINO, LINKED TO STRIPPER SCANDAL, DENIES NAMING HORSE PARTY DANCER

    Pitino’s return to college basketball comes nearly six months after he and Louisville settled lawsuits stemming from his departure in the wake of a federal investigation of corruption in college basketball.

    The coach had sued the University of Louisville Athletic Association for more than $38.7 million in November 2017, alleging its breached its contract by firing him for cause the previous month. The school had countersued and sought monetary damages for vacated games and bonuses. Pitino received no money in the settlement, with his personnel file changing from termination to a resignation effective 13 days before he was fired.

    The settlement closed a bitter final chapter between the school and Pitino, who wasn’t named in the federal complaint. He repeatedly said he knew nothing about payments made to the family of a recruit to sign with Louisville.

    The school’s acknowledgement of its involvement in the federal investigation occurred as it appealed NCAA sanctions that cost Louisville its 2013 national championship.

    CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

    In that case, the governing body ordered the vacation of 123 victories, including the Cardinals’ third national title and their 2012 Final Four appearance, following an escort’s book allegations that former Louisville men’s basketball staffer Andre McGee hired her and other dancers to strip and have sex with players and recruits.

    Pitino said he was unaware of any of the activities described in the book. While Louisville reiterated in a joint settlement statement that infractions under his watch led to “serious consequences” for the school, it acknowledged Pitino’s success and commitment to his players and thanked him for his service.