USC fires a ssistant Tony Bland in wake of hoops bribery case

USC fires a.ssistant Tony Bland in wake of hoops bribery case. LOS ANGELES (AP) — Southern California has fired associate head coach Tony Bland in the wake of his arrest in the college basketball bribery and corruption case. A school spokesman confirmed Bland's firing on Thursday, but offered no other details. He had been on administrative leave since his arrest in September. He was on USC's staff for 4 1/2 years. Bland was one of 10 people arrested in the case. Three other assistants — Chuck Person of Auburn, Book Richardson of Arizona and Lamont Evans of Oklahoma State — were also fired as part of the FBI probe, which revealed a pay-for-play scandal where schools would funnel money through shoe companies to a player in exchange for their commitment. Bland pleaded not guilty in November to four charges relating to bribery and wire fraud.