The Independent Accountability Review Process, or IARP, was the big-word brainchild created in 2018 by a politician-led committee to save the flailing bureaucrats who oversee college athletics from themselves. In the end, it has become the biggest organizational failure in NCAA history, which is littered with failures.
There have been bigger philosophical failings. But in organizational terms, the IARP has become the new standard for NCAA self-sabotage. It is the association’s Frankenstein, a creature of its own making that has turned upon its creator.
This already was true before Thursday, but the IARP managed to outdo its own illogical self with its decision on a Louisville infractions case that has been festering like an untreated wound since 2017. Despite having corporate partner Adidas agree to pay recruit Brian Bowen $100,000 to sign with Louisville … despite an assistant coach being caught on FBI surveillance discussing a scheme to pay players in recruiting … despite being a repeat violator of major NCAA rules … Thursday’s ruling was essentially a non-ruling.
