NCAA President Responds to Basketball Coaches Arrest

Auburn, Ala. (EETV) - The NCAA president has released a statement regarding the arrests of basketball coaches in multiple coaches.

President Mark Emmert stated the following:

"The nature of the charges brought by the federal government are deeply disturbing. We have no tolerance whatsoever for this alleged behavior. Coaches hold a unique position of trust with student-athletes and their families and these bribery allegations, if true, suggest an extraordinary and despicable breach of that trust. We learned of these charges this morning and of course, will support the ongoing criminal federal investigation."

Auburn Associate Head Coach Chuck Person was among the coaches listed as defendants in a federal bribery case.

The FBI document was released on Monday morning and stated that in the fall of 2016 Chuck Person participated in a bribery scheme in which he successfully directed student-athletes to retain services of a specific financial advisor and business manager.

In response to the allegations, Auburn University suspended Person without pay and released the following statement:

"This morning’s news is shocking. We are saddened, angry and disappointed. We have suspended Coach Person without pay effective immediately. We are committed to playing by the rules, and that’s what we expect from our coaches. In the meantime, Auburn is working closely with law enforcement, and we will help them in their investigation in any way we can."

Auburn University President Steven Leath released the same statement in a series of tweets. 

This morning’s news is shocking. We are saddened, angry and disappointed.

— Steven Leath (@AuburnPrez) September 26, 2017

We have suspended Coach Person without pay effective immediately.

— Steven Leath (@AuburnPrez) September 26, 2017

We are committed to playing by the rules, and that’s what we expect from our coaches.

— Steven Leath (@AuburnPrez) September 26, 2017

In the meantime, Auburn is working closely with law enforcement, and we will help them in their investigation in any way we can.

— Steven Leath (@AuburnPrez) September 26, 2017

We will update the story as more information is developed.