COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Missouri coach Quin Snyder defended two assistant coaches accused of giving money to players, saying Wednesday he had the "utmost confidence" in them.
Former player Ricky Clemons said in taped jailhouse phone calls over the summer that he and two current players received cash from coaches Tony Harvey and Lane Odom.
Clemons, who served two months for assaulting his ex-girlfriend, also said his former attorney and Odom told him to deny ever receiving cash.
While Snyder supported the two assistants, he said they couldn't discuss the accusations because NCAA and internal university investigations were ongoing.
The tapes were of calls Clemons made from the Boone County Jail to various people between July 16 and Aug. 14. Jail telephone calls are routinely taped.
Boone County Sheriff Ted Boehm released the tapes to the media after requests from the Columbia Daily Tribune.
On the tapes, Clemons said at least two other players -- seniors Arthur Johnson and Rickey Paulding -- also received money from an assistant coach. Johnson and Paulding denied the claims.
Missouri, ranked No. 3, and the NCAA have spent months investigating accusations surrounding Clemons, who transferred to Missouri from a junior college last year. His ex-girlfriend, Jessica Bunge, said he received money, clothes and improper help with schoolwork.
Clemons was thrown off the team after he assaulted Bunge. He pleaded guilty to the charges and was released Aug. 24.
The tapes caused new embarrassment for Missouri president Elson Floyd, who had befriended Clemons at Snyder's request. The president said he broke off contact with the troubled athlete after Clemons wrecked an all-terrain vehicle during a July 4 party at Floyd's home.
Floyd's wife, Carmento, continued to accept collect calls from Clemons when he was in jail, without her husband's knowledge. She said she was trying to help the player.
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
Copyright 2003, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved
Shaft16 
