University of San Diego President Mary E. Lyons says she and the school's trustees have "unwavering support" for men's basketball coach Bill Grier and athletic director Ky Snyder as the FBI investigates a bribery case.
Two former players and a former assistant coach are charged in the case with running a sports betting business to fix games.
Lyons, Grier and Snyder spoke for the first time since federal authorities announced Monday that Brandon Johnson, the school's all-time leading scorer, former coach T.J. Brown and former player Brandon Dowdy were among 10 people charged.
The three faculty members separately delivered prepared statements at a podium, but their messages shared the theme of solidarity.
"The does not represent the Toreros I know," Lyons said.
Said Grier: "If the allegations are true, then I feel deeply disappointed and betrayed."
Afterward, they sat together behind a table, each wearing navy blue, columbia blue and white, the school's colors.
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Lyons and Snyder say they've been told the NCAA won't look into the case until the FBI finishes its investigation.
Grier, who learned of the scandal when two FBI officials arrived at his house Monday morning, says he wasn't suspicious that anything was going on.
"A good player can have a bad game and a bad player can have a good game," Grier said. "I don’t think that’s any indication that there’s something wrong with the program."
Asked if any games come to mind that may have fixed, Grier said he could not answer due to the on-going investigation.
