Florida stands by Hill after UM allegations

Posted Aug 17, 2011 by David Jones, Florida Today

Updated Aug 17, 2011 at 09:47 AM

GAINESVILLE - University of Florida spokesman Steve McClain issued a statement on Tuesday night that current Gators recruiting coordinator Aubrey Hill - who served in the same role at Miami - is confident his actions were not out of line despite a Yahoo Sports report.

  “While we declined comment for Yahoo’s request, Coach Hill indicated he was very comfortable with, and very confident in how he conducted himself while at the University of Miami,’’ McClain said.

  Yahoo Sports did in depth interviews with Miami booster Nevin Shapiro. He is currently in jail for his role in a $930 million Ponzi scheme. Shapiro claims he provided thousands of benefits to at least 72 athletes from 2002-10 and mentioned Hill in the interview as one of the football coaches who had knowledge of his actions.

  Shapiro claims to have provided cash, prostitutes, entertainment in his multimillion-dollar homes and yacht, paid trips to high-end restaurants and nightclubs, jewelry, bounties for on-field play (including bounties for injuring opposing players - including Florida Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow), travel etc.
 
Current Gators Andre Debose and Matt Patchan are also mentioned amid various claims as also receiving special treatment by Shapiro while Miami was recruiting them.