Why Bru McCoy left USC and why it matters to his Tennessee football future
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Wide receiver Bru McCoy is looking for a fresh start with Tennessee football just as more information about his turbulent exit from Southern Cal surfaces.
McCoy’s issues at USC were already widely reported. But a Los Angeles Times investigative report this week shed light on details of his departure, a process that began with his arrest and suspension from USC.
McCoy announced his transfer to UT on May 3. But he told 247Sports that he informed UT of his decision in late March. Presumably, UT vetted McCoy’s situation in the weeks in between.
Per NCAA rule, the university cannot comment on McCoy, a commitment, until he enrolls or files financial aid paperwork, which should occur later this month. McCoy could not be reached for comment.
The circumstances of McCoy’s exit from USC are notable in UT’s decision to accept his transfer. But they also could factor into his eligibility to play for the Vols in the 2022 season.
The NCAA allows players to transfer once without sitting out a season. In spring 2019, McCoy enrolled at USC, transferred to Texas a few weeks later and then transferred back to USC that summer.
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McCoy would need a waiver from the NCAA to play immediately after transferring to UT. He has three seasons of eligibility remaining.
McCoy, a 6-foot-3, 220-pounder, is a talented wide receiver who could help UT’s record-breaking offense. The former five-star recruit was expected to be one of the best wideouts in the Pac-12 before his 2021 season was derailed.
Where McCoy’s off-the-field situation stands
McCoy was arrested on July 24 on suspicion of felony intimate partner violence following an alleged incident with his ex-girlfriend, whose identity was protected in court documents obtained by the Los Angeles Times.
But the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office declined to file charges due to insufficient evidence in what it referred to as a “he said, she said domestic violence” case.
McCoy was suspended from the USC campus during a Title IX investigation, but that was later modified to allow him to attend in-person classes. Title IX, known mostly for requiring equity in athletics, also requires investigations into allegations of domestic violence, stalking, harassment, assault or other violations of a school's anti-discrimination policy.
The Title IX complaint was dropped in February because McCoy’s ex-girlfriend told USC she would not cooperate in a hearing or grant the school access to her medical records, the Los Angeles Times reported.
McCoy was removed from the football team and did not play in the 2021 season during the Title IX investigation. He entered the transfer portal in January.
McCoy’s ex-girlfriend filed a restraining order against him, and it was upheld by the court in January. It stipulates that McCoy cease any contact and stay at least 100 yards away from her through Jan. 28, 2023. He was ordered to pay $40,000 restitution and $30,000 to cover her legal fees.
Why Bru McCoy was arrested by LAPD
The Los Angeles Times reviewed hundreds of documents for its report. In court filings obtained by the Los Angeles Times, McCoy and his ex-girlfriend dispute what happened.
According to the report:
On July 24, McCoy arrived at his off-campus residence after 3 a.m. with his sister and USC teammate Chris Steele. McCoy testified that his ex-girlfriend was waiting for him inside the residence.
Later that day, at 5:30 p.m., police were called after McCoy’s ex-girlfriend sought treatment at an urgent care clinic. McCoy was arrested at his residence on suspicion of domestic violence and released later that night on $50,000 bond.
His ex-girlfriend said McCoy “kicked and punched me multiple times in the ribs, strangled my neck then head butted me in the nose fracturing it, spit in my face repeatedly, pinned me down and used my arms to force me to hit myself in the face and head.”
She said she suffered a broken nose, muscle spasms, concussion without consciousness, pleurodynia, a right arm contusion, chronic pansinusitis, head trauma, rib pain and a contusion of the back wall of her thorax, bruises and scratches. McCoy’s attorneys argued there was a lack of evidence that the ex-girlfriend had been injured. In a September ruling, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff said there were “multiple levels of hearsay evidence” regarding her injuries.
McCoy denied her allegations, and leveled his own against his ex-girlfriend, asserting she used physical violence against him. He submitted videos from the night of the incident, but a superior court judge determined none confirmed his version of events.
A month after his arrest, the district attorney’s office declined to file charges against McCoy because of a lack of evidence.
Why USC suspended Bru McCoy
On July 28, McCoy was barred from USC campus and activities.
After the district attorney declined to file charges, USC maintained its removal order and continued its Title IX investigation.
McCoy’s attorneys failed in multiple attempts to get a superior court to stay USC’s removal order. But in September, USC modified the order, allowing him to attend in-person classes on campus but upholding his suspension from the football team.
In January, McCoy entered the transfer portal. USC dropped its Title IX complaint in February after his ex-girlfriend said she would not cooperate in a hearing. Her restraining order had already been upheld by the court.
Reach Adam Sparks at adam.sparks@knoxnews.com and on Twitter @AdamSparks.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Why Bru McCoy left USC, why it matters to Tennessee football future
