At particular issue is the role of former SMU assistant coach Ulric Maligi and a basketball secretary in allegedly assisting Frazier with coursework. Maligi took an indefinite leave from the program in January 2015. Frazier played for the Mustangs during the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons before he was deemed "academically ineligible" in January 2015 and missed the rest of the season. There has been no clarification yet as to his status for the 2015-16 season, but Frazier has not left the program.
At issue with Brown is what he knew about Frazier's situation, and what he did about it. In recent case precedent, the NCAA has suspended head coaches for multiple games. Most recently, Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim was hit with a nine-game suspension that will be served in the 2015-16 season. Syracuse is appealing that decision.