In wake of the FBI Basketball Corruption trials, one Clemson University assistant won’t be back at the school after being caught in a wiretap regarding two programs and one college basketball star.
Clemson athletic director Dan Radakovich announced earlier today that assistant coach Steve Smith will not return to the program after wiretap comments taken back a couple years ago.
In the recording, Smith was discussing on recruiting former Duke star forward Zion Williamson and had mentioned a couple additional details towards the football program as well.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsZion Williamson and a discussion of his recruitment by Clemson Asst Steve Smith was shown on FBI videotape today
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) April 25, 2019
Marty Blazer: ‘Steve had just had a meeting with Zion Williamson’s stepfather. Steve was recruiting Zion. Steve was going to try & find out what Zion’s family needed’
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsDabo Swinney asked by @KacyHintz about his program being mentioned during NCAA Basketball corruption scandal.
— Brandon Dunn (@BDunnsports) May 2, 2019
Clemson assist. hoop coach Steve Smith, "That's why football is so successful, is if you do it and use resources at Clemson, like you can really keep everything tight." pic.twitter.com/uHDPMEDoWn
Also overheard in the recording was agent Christian Dawkins and Smith discussing with an undercover FBI agent about payments to be made towards Williamson’s family.
The comments in the wiretap took place in July of 2017, and the contract did expire over on April 30th. The decision to not renew Smith’s contract came less than 24 hours after it originally expired.
Head coach Brad Brownell said in the press release that he fully supported the school’s action to not renew Smith’s contract.