NCAA reached 'predetermined conclusion' in Reggie Bush-USC case, appeals court rules

The NCAA reached a "predetermined conclusion" in its investigation regarding former USC assistant coach Todd McNair's knowledge of Reggie Bush's rules violations, a California appeals court ruled Monday.

McNair sued the NCAA in 2011, denying he had any knowledge Bush received improper benefits while playing for USC.

The decision by the court to deny the NCAA's appeal to have McNair's case thrown out calls into question whether the Trojans deserved the harsh sanctions handed down by the NCAA in 2010, including the loss of 30 scholarships over a three-year period.

The court ruled against McNair on some counts, but upheld his defamation suit, ruling the NCAA "recklessly disregarded the truth" in its investigation into what the running backs coach knew about the violations.

From the ruling:

This evidence clearly indicates that the ensuing COI (Committee on Infractions) report was worded in disregard of the truth to enable the COI to arrive at a predetermined conclusion that USC employee McNair was aware of the NCAA violations. To summarize, McNair established a probability that he could show actual malice by clear and convincing evidence based on the COI's doubts about McNair's knowledge, along with its reckless disregard for the truth about his knowledge, and by allowing itself to influenced by nonmembers to reach a needed conclusion.

Bush was forced to give up his 2005 Heisman Trophy, and USC had to vacate its 2004 national championship due to the sanctions.

The full version of the court's ruling can be found here.