Kiffin denies knowledge of Garza situation

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Garza, a former assistant under Kiffin, is alleged to have paid for a recruit?s airfare while at the University of Tennessee. NCAA says it is looking into it.

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LOS ANGELES ? USC coach Lane Kiffin said Tuesday he had "no knowledge" of former assistant coach Willie Mack Garza's dealings with controversial talent scout Will Lyles. But Kiffin still might have to answer to the NCAA.

Yahoo! Sports reported Monday that Garza sent Lyles $1,500 to fund the airfare for an unofficial recruiting visit to Tennessee by prospect Lache Seastrunk. Kiffin was Tennessee's coach at the time.

USC coach Lane Kiffin, show here with reporters after preseason practice, said Tuesday that he doesn't know anything regarding the relationship with a former assistant and controversial talent scout Will Lyles.

ARMANDO BROWN, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Kiffin appeared before the NCAA's Committee on Infractions in June for alleged violations during his time at Tennessee. The committee did not sanction him, saying the violations were secondary in nature. But the NCAA could open a new case in light of the latest information, exposing Kiffin to possible punishment.

"The NCAA enforcement staff has been reviewing the use of scouting services in the recruiting process and first became aware of potential recruiting violations at the University of Tennessee several weeks ago," NCAA spokesperson Stacey Osburn said in an e-mail. "We will continue to work with the school and conference to reach a conclusion."

Kiffin acknowledged having read the story, adding: "All I can say on that, the alleged incident, I had no knowledge of (it), or knowledge of a relationship at all (between Garza and Lyles). I have been and always have been committed, wherever we've been, to doing things the right way, cooperating with the NCAA. So that's all I've got on it."

Asked whether it was common for assistant coaches to engage in that sort of activity without the head coach or recruiting coordinator's knowledge, Kiffin said: "I don't know. I don't know what people do."

Garza followed Kiffin from Tennessee to USC last year but resigned before the start of this season, citing "personal issues unrelated to USC." Reports subsequently surfaced linking Garza to Lyles.

USC athletic director Pat Haden declinedthrough a school spokesman.

USC faces Arizona on Saturday.

PAC-12 REPRIMANDS BARKLEY

The Pac-12 Conference reprimanded USC quarterback Matt Barkley for his ?derogatory and inflammatory?about Arizona State linebacker Vontaze Burfict.

Barkley said hisabout Burict last week came ?from a place of respect.?

In a story in the Los Angeles Times last week, Barkley said of Burfict: ?He?s a dirty player. His switch is always on. And it?s not a good switch.?

Asked Tuesday whether he needed to be careful about what he says to the media, Barkley said: ?Of course everyone blew it up, but what you didn?t hear is that it was coming from a place of respect for Vontaze. I?ve played with him for so long. I know him as a player and a person and think he is a wonderful player, which is what I said. He played a great game. It doesn?t change what I said about him - I think it?s still true - but you?ve got to be careful because people twist your words and do whatever they want with them.?

NOTES

Several prominent players sat out practice because of minor injuries or got banged up during the workout. They included receiver Robert Woods (ankle), tailback Marc Tyler (thigh bruise), tackle Matt Kalil (undisclosed) and defensive end Nick Perry (undisclosed). ... Backup linebackers Lamar Dawson (ankle) and Marquis Simmons (neck) remained out. ... Cornerback Torin Harris (shoulder) and tailback Amir Carlisle (ankle) did not practice after getting hurt at Arizona State. ... Freshman Aundrey Walker will compete with starter Kevin Graf at right tackle after Graf struggled against ASU. ... Kiffin said backup quarterback Jesse Scroggins is expected to resume throwing "soon" after having thumb surgery during training camp. ... The staff is planning to redshirt senior cornerback T.J. Bryant, who has yet to play this season.

Contact the writer: mlev@ocregister.com

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