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Hagan defends signing of Scott

Prep assistant won't elaborate

By B.G. Brooks, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published February 9, 2008 at 12:45 a.m.

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To everything else wafting through cyberspace about the University of Colorado's signing of Darrell Scott, Darian Hagan wants to add this: CU's recruitment of the nation's top tailback prospect was done by the letter.

The Buffaloes running backs coach questioned the motives and veracity of Roger Sonsini, a St. Bonaventure (Calif.) High School assistant who became Scott's spokesman during the recruiting process and on Wednesday told The Dallas Morning News that CU "came in . . . and said and did something and offered something that Darrell and his mom couldn't pass up."

Reached on Friday, Sonsini said he would have "no more comments" on Scott's signing, adding, "Any further questions have to be directed to his mother or him."

Sonsini's quote miffed Alexis Scott enough to schedule a meeting Friday with Sonsini, according to The New York Times. Hagan said Alexis Scott, who could not be reached, asked him, "Since when did (Sonsini) become a spokesman for the family?"

Hagan, the Buffs assistant who credited a long-term relationship with Scott among the reasons for Scott spurning Texas, said he called Sonsini about the quote the day before it was published.

"He told me he didn't say that," Hagan said. "He said as far as he knew, Darrell was going to Texas and he (told the newspaper) 'Colorado did something to make him change his mind' - and that was all. . . . I think he was trying to backpedal real fast."

Allowed to observe the decision-making process Monday night, The Times reported Scott expressed serious doubts about signing with Texas because of its change in running backs coaches.

Major Applewhite was hired for that position late last month, apparently giving an edge to CU and Hagan, whose relationship with Scott began nearly three years ago.

Hagan said rumors of CU lining up a job in a local bank for Alexis Scott, who manages an OB/GYN practice, were "ridiculous" in light of Buffs coach Dan Hawkins' strict adherence to NCAA rules and what the school experienced in 2004.

"I love my job, I love this place," Hagan said. "There's no reason for me to offer her a job . . . and besides, who am I to offer anybody a job?"

Hagan said he believed Sonsini, for whatever reason, wanted Scott to sign with Texas "more than a normal coach would . . . a normal coach would say, 'I like this or that about Texas.' He kept pushing Texas; he was always in the paper talking up Texas.

"Never until the last couple of days did I see him say anything about Colorado."

During the signing day news conference Wednesday, Hagan admitted Scott said twice in the final weeks he was selecting Texas over CU. But Hagan said his last-ditch sales pitch and a final home visit from six CU coaches reclaimed Scott, who had given the Buffs a "silent" commitment in November.

Hagan believes Sonsini was stunned that CU won the recruiting battle. "What it comes down to, he thought there was no way in heck (Scott) would pick CU over Texas," Hagan said. "We did everything by rules, nothing unethical. A good relationship, that's what it came down to."

brooksb@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5466

Comments

  • February 9, 2008

    8:47 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    glacierdude writes:

    This coach at Scott's high school displaying such an active interest in Scott going to The Longhorns smacks of payola.

    Am I alone in suspecting that this guy is the one who should be questioned, not the one making the offhand remarks.

    This wouldn't be the first time college athletic programs have slipped "honorariums" to high school coaches who assist in landing blue chip prospects and Texas is filthy with over zealous boosters.

  • February 11, 2008

    12:47 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    barrypeirson writes:

    It doesn't make sense to believe that Darrell Scott changed his mind about going to Texas simply because Major Applewhite, one of the rising stars in the college coaching ranks, replaced the RB coach at Texas (a man who remained with the program, BTW).

    Applewhite took the job at Texas a full three weeks before signing day and had an in-home visit with Scott two weeks earlier. Why didn't Scott at any time during that period voice any qualms about Applewhite?

    Apparently Scott had no problems with Applewhite's being named RB coach at Texas and remained committed to Texas until the six Colorado coaches visited him the Friday before signing day at which time something happened. Now, maybe he simply had a change-of-heart or wanted to play with his uncle or developed a sudden affection for snow -- who knows? But one thing seems probable and that is that the reason Scott gave for his decision is not the reason for his decision.

  • February 13, 2008

    9:50 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    buffalo_flyer writes:

    Lets see... if I were the top running back, who would I want as my running backs coach? A proven champion running back established with the program who has been recruiting me for years or a wet behind the ears qb who is in his 4th job in 4 years?

    The only reason Texas was in the picture at all was because of the Texas sized payoff promised to Sonsini who then pushed him hard to look at the longhorns.

  • February 23, 2008

    12:26 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Buffie writes:

    Simply put I think Darrell Scott was (is)to smart not to sign
    with Cu!