Why former KU Jayhawks coach David Beaty was emotional after NCAA charge dismissed

Former Kansas head football coach David Beaty paused a couple times, composing himself to keep from breaking down.

This was during a press conference Thursday to announce that an NCAA violation against him had been dismissed, yet it was clear from Beaty’s emotions that this moment held greater significance than that.

For three years, he’d waited for this day. Because for three years — under NCAA investigation — he’d been unable to get a full-time job coaching in college football.

“I’m excited about getting back on the sidelines and doing what I love,” Beaty said, pausing for a few seconds. “It’s a privilege, not a right. I just can’t wait to do it again.”

Beaty’s long-sought exoneration finally came Thursday, as he and attorney Michael Lyons released a letter sent to Beaty from the Independent Accountability Review Process’ Complex Case Unit (CCU).

After taking an independent look at the alleged violation against Beaty, the CCU told Beaty in a letter it was withdrawing the allegation against him.

“Accordingly, you are no longer identified as an involved individual in the proceedings against the University of Kansas,” the CCU’s external advocate Marc T. Quigley wrote.

Lyons spoke to the significance on Thursday, as this would end a period of time where Beaty’s livelihood was stalled while he held the label of a potential NCAA rule violator.

“David really put his faith in the process and hoped in his heart of hearts that what would result is an opportunity to find the truth,” Lyons said. “And this result speaks to that. They have found the truth.”

Now, Beaty wants to move forward.

He says he has consulted for some teams since he was fired from KU in 2018 but was unable to get a full-time position. He’s stayed around the game, though, and made connections with high school players he hopes will help at his next opportunity.

So what does he want his next step to be?

“The obvious answer is to get back on the sidelines,” Beaty said, “and being able to help young men become better men, one day at a time.”

Originally, Beaty was cited in the NCAA’s notice of allegations sent to KU in September 2019, as KU self-reported violations following its own investigation while claiming former KU video coordinator Jeff Love participated in “technical and tactical instruction” with players under Beaty’s watch. Specifically, Love met with the quarterbacks six to 10 times and provided instruction, including the sending of educational videos through text messages.

NCAA rules prohibit non-coaching staff members from instructing players; KU declared two Level II violations: one for Love’s involvement, and one for Beaty not properly monitoring his staff.

Love also confirmed to The Star on Thursday that he’d recently received a similar letter from the CCU, saying his Level II violation had been dismissed as well.

Lyons said Thursday that Beaty — as far back as when he was fired from KU in 2018 — had been pursued for assistant openings at “big Power Five, well-known, winning programs.”

One of those, according to earlier deposition testimony by Beaty, was getting offered an analyst position at Texas before the Longhorns’ athletic director, Chris Del Conte, had second thoughts following a phone conversation with Jeff Long, who was KU’s athletic director at the time. Long later said under deposition that he told Del Conte that Beaty was “involved with serious violations under investigation by the NCAA.”

Beaty said he spent most of his time in Texas over the last three years without getting full-time work.

“Today’s a great day because when you get your name back — and you only get one of those — getting your good name back ... I’m very fortunate, because a lot of times it doesn’t happen,” Beaty said. “And I’m just so thankful to Mike.”

Beaty also spoke to a continued connection with KU, where he was an assistant coach in 2008-09 before going 6-42 in four seasons as head coach from 2015-18. He said Thursday there were people in Lawrence who remained as “some of the finest people we’ve ever come across in our lifetime.”

“Those folks are fantastic,” Beaty said. “I would highly recommend that university to any young man or woman.”

It’s about looking ahead for Beaty now, though, and seeking out jobs that might be available again thanks to his recent NCAA clearance.

“I just believe that the right thing is the right thing, and eventually, the truth would come out,” Beaty said. “And thankfully, thanks to the letter that we have today, the truth is here, and I’m just grateful for that.”