In a story that also detailed his personal challenges since his October 2019 release from a federal prison, former Arizona coach Book Richardson told the New York Daily News he was made a scapegoat in the federal investigation into college basketball and has declined a second interview with NCAA investigators.
The Daily News reported that Richardson met with NCAA investigators in January but "had no interest" in meeting with them again in June for a "Notice of Allegations" interview even though there was a show-cause order involved. (UA has still not acknowledged receiving an NOA from the NCAA).
The Daily News' Stefan Bondy wrote that "Richardson took his punishment and served his time, but the NCAA is still trying to extract information. Richardson already met with NCAA enforcement in December, leaving him with the impression 'they didnβt just want to get Arizona, they wanted me to give up all of college basketball.'
Bondy also wrote that "Richardson already served his prison time and believes any further conversations or punishments are akin to 'beating a dead horse.' He isnβt interested in cooperating. Thereβs no job offer or incentive from the NCAA, and Richardsonβs against snitching, regardless."
As was the premise of HBO's The Scheme documentary, Richardson indicated he believed that the federal investigation did not turn out to be what it was originally presented as.
At the Sept. 27, 2017 news conference to make public its investigation, and announce it was still continuing, FBI assistant director William Sweeney referred to those operating in college basketball's shadow marketplace when he said "we have your playbook."
Yet three years later, only Richardson, who admitted to taking $20,000 in bribes, and former Oklahoma State assistant coach Lamont Evans have been sentenced to prison though allegations in the case led to the firing of Louisville coach Rick Pitino.
βI do" feel as if I was scapegoated, Richardson told the Daily News. βI do in the grand scheme of things. When they tell the world that you have our playbook, and you only get four Black assistant coaches and two of them go to jail. What playbook did you have? Was that the audible playbook? Was that the freshman playbook? The JV playbook? Which playbook did you have?'β
Richardson has declined interview requests from the Star about the investigation and his subsequent three-month prison stints but told the Daily News he was "helping kids when they got on my campus, yes," and detailed a difficult personal life since his October 2018 release.
The Daily News reported Richardson makes only a $2,000 a month from the New York Gauchos club team and has no health insurance while facing stage 3 kidney disease.
Richardson was also divorced from his wife Erin in January for what the Daily News said was infidelity.
βThe one thing I never want to lose in the world was my wife,β Richardson said. "But itβs like, βBook, you didnβt act like that.β But I always thought that. This is my rock. And as she was trying to heal me, I was breaking her.
βI took her for granted.β
Richardson was arrested in September 2017, fired in January 2018 and served a three-month sentence at Otisville (N.Y.) federal prison from July-October 2019.
Since his release, Richardson has moved back to New York and is working with the Gauchos players, as well as doing podcasts for the West Coast Elite-affiliated Silver Waves Media.
Photos: Emanuel "Book" Richardson, Arizona Wildcats basketball assistant coach
Arizona vs. Oregon
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Arizona assistant coach Emanuel "Book" Richardson talks with Arizona forward Brandon Ashley, center, and Arizona forward Aaron Gordon (11) during the first half of the No. 2 University of Arizona vs. University of Oregon mens college basketball game on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014, at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. Arizona squeaked out a 67-65 win.
Arizona vs. San Diego State
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Arizona assistant coach Book Richardson calls for a defensive stop during the second half of the Arizona vs. San Diego State game at the NCAA Basketball Tournament at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday, March 27, 2014. Arizona won 70-64, advancing to the Elite Eight.
Arizona Wildcats in the 2017 NCAA Tournament
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Arizona Wildcats in the 2017 NCAA Tournament
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Arizona Wildcats guard Kadeem Allen, right, does his best to keep his composure in an interview while assistant coach Book Richardson interjects with lyrics on March 17, 2017, at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Arizona Wildcats in the 2017 NCAA Tournament
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Arizona vs Washington
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Arizona vs Northern Colorado
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Book Richardson, assistant coach, talks to Arizona Wildcats guard Kobi Simmons (2) in the second half during a game at McKale Center on Monday November 21, 2016. Arizona won 71-55.
Book Richardson
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Arizona vs. Stanford
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Arizona Wildcats guard Gabe York, center, hugs assistant coach Book Richardson as a member of the UA event staff gives his well-wishes to the departing senior before the No. 18 University of Arizona Wildcats vs. Stanford University Cardinal men's college basketball game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. Photo taken Saturday, March 5, 2016.
Arizona vs USC
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Former Arizona Wildcat, Stanley Johnson, walks off the court with assistant coach Book Richardson after the Arizona defeats USC, 86-78 at McKale Center on Sunday February 14, 2016.
Arizona vs UCLA
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Arizona assistant coach Book Richardson gives guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright (0) some advice before sending him out on the court to face UCLA at the start of the second half of their Pac-12 game at McKale Center, Friday, Feb. 12, 2016, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona vs. University of Washington
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Assistant coach Emanuel "Book" Richardson talks with a frustrated Arizona Wildcats guard Allonzo Trier (11) on the bench during the second half of the No. 23 University of Arizona Wildcats vs. University of Washington Huskies men's college basketball game at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle, Wash. Arizona won 77-72. Photo taken Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016.
Arizona vs Washington
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Book Richardson
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Arizona Wildcats center Chance Comanche (21) takes a three-point shot as assistant coach Book Richardson acts as defender during warmups before the Arizona Wildcats vs. Pacific Tigers men's college basketball game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. Photo taken Friday, Nov. 13, 2015.
Book Richardson
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Arizona guard T.J. McConnell (4) hugs assistant coach Book Richardson after being subbed out for the final time during the second half of the No. 5 Arizona vs. Stanford men's college basketball game on Saturday, March 7, 2015, at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. Arizona won 91-69 on Senior Day, taking the PAC-12 regular season championship.
Arizona vs USC
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Arizona vs ASU
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Assistant coach Book Richardson talks to Arizona Wildcats guard T.J. McConnell (4) in the second half during a game against ASU at McKale Center. Arizona won 79-43. Photo taken: Sunday January 04, 2015
Book Richardson
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Arizona forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, left, laughs with assistant coach Book Richardson during practice at the NCAA Basketball Tournament at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Wednesday, March 26, 2014.
Book Richardson
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Arizona graduate assistant coach David Miller, left, and assistant coach Emanuel "Book" Richardson share a laugh before the No. 1 University of Arizona Wildcats vs. Arizona State University men's college basketball game on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014, at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona vs Washington
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University of Arizona assistant coach Book Richardson has a talk with University of Arizona forward Aaron Gordon (11) after their win against Washington in a Pac-12 game at McKale Center, Saturday, January 4, 2014, Tucson, Ariz.
Book Richardson
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University of Arizona assistant coach Book Richardson, left, and University of Arizona forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (23) sing along to the music coming over the PA system, to the amusement of University of Arizona guard Elliott Pitts (24) as the team goes through its pre game routine prior to the tip-off against New Mexico State at McKale Center, Wednesday, December 11, 2013, Tucson, Ariz.
Book Richardson
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Assistant coach Book Richardson, center, hot dogs a made three-point shot in a little competition with Jordin Mayes, right, and Jacob Hazzard during practice on Wednesday, March 27, 2013, in Staples Center in Los Angeles, Calif. Arizona takes on Ohio State in the west regionals on Thursday at 4:47 p.m.
Book Richardson
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Book Richardson
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Book Richardson
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Arizona coach Book Richardson hugs Arizona guard/forward Kevin Parrom (3) as he leaves the game against Ball State late in the second half at McKale Center, Sun. Nov. 13, 2011, in Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona vs California
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University of Arizona's Derrick Williams, left, gets yelled at by assistant coach Emanuel "Book" Richardson, right, in the game against the University of California in the second half at the McKale Center on January 6, 2011 in Tucson, Ariz. Cal.
Greg Hansen: What happens next? For Arizona Wildcats, it's an open-ended question
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UA assistant Book Richardson was suspended with pay after being arrested and charged by the FBI with bribery, among other crimes.
After Arizona fired basketball coach Ben Lindsey in the spring of 1983, he told the schoolβs administration of five incidents in which players were paid or illegally reimbursed for plane travel.
Assistant coach Ricky Byrdsong acknowledged at least one of those payments. He said Lindsey gave him $200 for junior forward Morgan Taylor in a βwhite envelope.β
The UA sanctioned Byrdsong by reducing his salary from $25,002 to $12,501.
That was a high crime in college basketball, 1983, and it would almost seem comical if not for the fear that Arizonaβs basketball program could be nuked for a sum less than Byrdsongβs 1983 salary.
The attorneys and damage control specialists at the UA are now at work on a strategy explaining how Arizona assistant basketball coach Book Richardson was reportedly caught in a pay-for-play scandal in which almost no one in college basketball ever gets caught.
Whatβs next? There are many possibilities:
- UA head coach Sean Miller denies any involvement and university president Bobby Robbins stands with him.
- More incriminating accusations are leveled by the FBI.
- One or more current UA players are ruled ineligible as a result of Richardson allegedly paying them; Class of 2018 recruits scatter to other schools.
- Richardson sings, telling FBI agents that Miller β or someone else at Arizona β knew of illegal payments, at which time Miller would likely be fired.
- The NCAA begins an investigation that could cripple Arizonaβs basketball program into the 2020s.
Of immediate concern to those who have paid thousands of dollars in advance for McKale Center season tickets is whether the Wildcats will be eligible for the 2018 NCAA Tournament.
Who knows? The book on Pac-12 basketball teams punished by exclusion from March Madness has but three chapters.
I. In 1981, UCLA was found to have helped purchase automobiles for Bruins stars Rod Foster, Darren Daye and Michael Holton. Coach Larry Brown was long gone before the NCAA investigation was complete. The Bruins were not allowed to participate in the 1982 NCAA Tournament even though they finished the season ranked No. 19 in the AP poll and had been ranked as high as No. 2.
II. In 1996, Cal coach Todd Bozeman was caught after giving guard Jelani Gardner $30,000. Bozeman was fired, but the NCAA was not swift in its punishment. New coach Ben Braun led the Bears to the 1997 NCAA Tournament. A year later, 1998, Cal was banished from postseason play.
III. In 2008, USC guard O.J. Mayo was ruled to have accepted illegal payments while a Trojan. After a long investigation, USC was made ineligible for the 2010 NCAA Tournament.
Given the pace of the historically understaffed NCAA enforcement division, itβs more likely that Arizona wouldnβt begin a post-season ban until the spring of 2019.
For some long-suffering UA fans, this is familiar turf.
On May 20, 1983, the NCAA placed Arizonaβs football program on a two-year probation for malfeasance committed in the 1970s. The Wildcats were not permitted to play in bowl games for two years, nor participate in any televised games.
Believe it or not, Arizona opened the 1983 season favored to win the Pac-10 and ranked No. 3 nationally β but painfully aware it could not play in the Rose Bowl.
Arizonaβs football transgressions of the 1970s make Richardsonβs alleged fraud and bribery crimes come off as kidβs stuff. The difference is that coach Tony Masonβs football program did not violate Section 666 of the United States legal code, which involves βtheft or bribery concerning programs receiving federal funding.β
All Arizona coaches are agents of an institution that accepts federal funds, hence the FBIβs rare involvement in college sports.
Richardson probably didnβt know what hit him when the FBI knocked on his door.
You can almost picture him in astonishment, saying βI did what? Section 6-what? The FBI? Really?β
Masonβs team was punished for operating a $35,000 slush fund, falsifying dozens of travel expenses, helping players get paid for phony jobs, paying for playersβ car repairs and for long-distance telephone expenses. Six UA assistant coaches were accused of a scheme in which they would collect payment for fake airline trips.
One UA player, running back Larry Heater, was fined $9,000 in court after pleading guilty to charges of defrauding the Tucson Parks and Recreation department, receiving pay for a job at which he did not work.
Mason, 53, was forced to resign just as Arizona began its 1980 spring football camp. He never coached again.
At issue now is whether Miller has coached his last game at Arizona.
Sean Miller silent as questions mount about past, future of Arizona Wildcats basketball program
UpdatedSean Miller went a third day without addressing the arrest of his longest tenured assistant on federal bribery and fraud charges.
Questions kept building anyway.
Three days through the federal bribery probe, Sean Miller had yet to address the arrest of his longest tenured assistant.
What did the Arizona head coach know, if anything, about the $20,000 in bribes assistant coach Book Richardson was accused of taking? Was Miller aware that, according to the federal complaint, another UA coach met with the sports agent also charged in the investigation? That former associate head coach Joe Pasternack may have talked with a sports agent twice on the telephone?
And also, from the complaint, these questions:
- Had a current UA player already taken payments from a sports agent, as that agent alleged?
- Was it true that a sports agent involved with the bribery scheme was βfriendsβ with the UA coaching staff, and that he could attend practices βlike Iβm on the team,β as the complaint quoted him as saying?
- And did the UA really offer a five-star recruit $150,000, as an Adidas rep alleged in a separate federal complaint involving the shoe companyβs ties to college basketball?
UA president Robert Robbins has opened an independent investigation into Richardson, but the university has not addressed the other issues raised involving the program.
Miller hasnβt said anything, either, and the UAβs scheduled preseason media day Wednesday was postponed. Miller spent Thursday with his team in McKale Center.
Under a contract that is scheduled to pay him $2.6 million plus performance and academic bonuses in 2017-18, Miller can be terminated for, among other reasons, βrepetitive violationsβ of NCAA or Pac-12 rules, βdemonstrated dishonestyβ and βconviction of a criminal act that constitutes a felony, a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or that otherwise reflects adversely on coachβs fitness to serve as head coach.β
But Miller was not linked to any potential NCAA rules violations in the federal complaints. In fact, the coach wasnβt mentioned at all except for when a sports agent said Miller wanted recruit Jahvon Quinerly βbad as (expletive),β suggesting the agents could gain considerable leverage over the Arizona program if they helped deliver Quinerly.
Miller hasnβt been implicated in any public NCAA rules violations cases since arriving at Arizona in 2009, and picked up a strong endorsement Thursday from ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas.
βI know Sean Miller to be a man of great honesty and integrity,β Bilas tweeted, in response to a fanβs tweet that it was βlaughableβ that Miller knew nothing. βI donβt believe for a second he knew of any improper behavior.β
Even if heβs found responsible for any possible violations, Miller might be treated as something of a first-time offender in the NCAAβs eyes.
βThat helps, but thereβs some stuff that looks pretty shady involving the program,β said Jerry Meyer, a recruiting analyst for 24/7 Sports. βI think all these schools are now under a microscope and we have no idea how much intel and evidence the FBI has.β
Indeed, U.S. attorney Joon Kim said Tuesday that the investigation remains open now that the initial covert operation is completed. The FBI encouraged calls to its tipline, and suggested that coaches who committed similar acts would be better off calling the FBI instead of later being called by the FBI.
All this hit just days before UA was scheduled to open full-length preseason practices with a team that has already become the consensus No. 1-rated team among major preseason annuals.
The only thing that is certain now is that Richardson wonβt be on the coaching staff, and that wing Rawle Alkins is out for 8-12 weeks because of a broken foot.
If a player took payments from a sports agent already, as a sports agent alleged, that player could be deemed ineligible, and any past games he played in after taking them might be vacated.
The complaint also said Richardson aimed to put pressure on another current UA player to sign with the agent, though there was no mention of any payments made.
All this led CBS Sportsβ Matt Norlander to write Thursday of Arizona:
βHow many players on that roster are subject to investigation? How many players could be held out or ruled ineligible? In a flash, Sean Millerβs program has gone from preseason title favorite to an alleged cheating machine.β
The NCAA wonβt say if it plans to launch its own investigation or issue sanctions based on the FBIβs allegations.
When asked by the Star, the NCAA only referred to a statement from NCAA president Mark Emmert, who said the charges were βdeeply disturbingβ and pledged to βsupport the ongoing federal investigation.β
Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott also said he was βdeeply troubledβ by the charges against not only Richardson but USC assistant coach Tony Bland.
βI have been in contact with the leadership of both universities and it is clear they also take this matter very seriously,β Scott said in the statement Tuesday. βWe are still learning the facts of this matter, but these allegations, if true, are profoundly upsetting to me. They strike at the heart of the integrity of our programs, and of the game that so many people love and play the right way.β
