To members of the SMU Community:

I write to offer my sincere apologies to Dr. Turner, our faculty and staff, our students and our supporters for any negative impact recent events have had on our community. When something like this happens to a program, it impacts us all, and as a Head Coach, I am held responsible. The fact that NCAA violations happened on my watch is something that I regret and take very seriously. I am committed to winning with integrity and we must – and we will – do better.

After working diligently with President Turner, our athletic department staff and others to evaluate our options, we have decided not to appeal my nine-game suspension nor the men’s basketball post-season ban, for reasons reviewed in the university’s statement. We have to look at the bigger picture for our basketball program. The cloud of the NCAA process would continue to impact our current and potential future student-athletes. Our focus must be on moving forward.

While this decision was made in the best interests of the program, I am truly disappointed for our student-athletes who are the most impacted by the penalties and who had nothing to do with the infractions. Our young men need your support now more than ever, and I am confident that the Mustang Family will respond.

I am extremely proud of the progress SMU Basketball has made in our three years on the Hilltop, both on the court and off, and we will continue to strive to have a program in which our students, faculty, alumni and the greater Dallas community can take great pride. I am thankful for the love and support we have received here, and I hope you will continue this journey with us, as I believe our greatest days are ahead.

Sincerely,

Larry Brown
Head Men’s Basketball Coach