BAYLOR Coach's pawns did dirty work

Baylor basketball players are transferring elsewhere.
WACO, Texas (AP) -- One of the Baylor players recruited by former basketball coach Dave Bliss for a plot to cover up rules violations says he provided false testimony to investigators out of a sense of loyalty to the coach.
But senior center R.T. Guinn told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram for a story in today's editions that he was confused about Bliss' motives at the time and now feels betrayed.
Speaking publicly for the first time since secret tape recordings identified him as one of three players Bliss tried to draw into his scheme to portray slain teammate Patrick Dennehy as a drug dealer, Guinn told the newspaper that he believed Bliss put him in a compromising position.
Swayed
But Guinn said Bliss worded statements to make him comfortable, assured him law enforcement and Baylor investigators were on his side and that his testimony would help save the program.
"I had mixed feelings. I was confused," Guinn said. "I was thinking it was wrong. But the way everything was worded, it had thrown me off and that's what made me, I guess, like, second-guess it."
Guinn said he didn't know what to think of the scheme at the time.
"I've always been one that tries to do what I'm told, especially by my elders," Guinn said. "I mean, it was weird. I still don't know why, exactly, I went along with it. It was more out of respect for him."
Guinn, 22, said he still plans to return to Baylor, mostly to earn his degree. He is set to graduate after the spring semester with a degree in education and wants to be a college basketball coach.
"I just don't think it would feel right or be right for me to go here for so long and then graduate from somewhere else," he said. "It's more in just self-pride."
But the senior also has obtained his release from Baylor and the NCAA has ruled that he will be allowed to transfer to another school without giving up his final year of eligibility -- provided he doesn't face NCAA penalties for the statements he made.
Exceptions granted
Baylor players who transfer because of the school's self-imposed probation will be exempt from an NCAA rule that they sit out a year, NCAA officials ruled Wednesday.
"The waivers have been granted," said Jeff Howard, NCAA director of public relations. "The transfers will not have to sit out."
Baylor President Robert Sloan Jr. offered all players a release from their scholarships on Aug. 8, when he announced major violations had been found in the basketball program. He asked the NCAA to waive its rule that players transferring within NCAA Division I schools sit out one year before being eligible.
Although the NCAA has waived its rule, individual conference rules still apply, Howard said.
The Big 12 Conference requires players transferring within the league to sit out a year. Baylor junior forward Kenny Taylor said Tuesday that he will transfer to Texas.
Lawrence Roberts, Baylor's top scorer and rebounder last season, said Monday he will transfer to Mississippi State.
Junior guard John Lucas III has also requested his release, as have sophomore forward Tommy Swanson and junior college transfer Harvey Thomas.
It appears unlikely Baylor will leave the Big 12, either on its own or forced out by the league.
Baylor's football and men's basketball teams -- typically the money makers of any athletic program -- routinely finish at or near the bottom of the league. The football team has won four conference games in seven seasons. The Waco Tribune-Herald has reported the athletic program ran a deficit of $9.1 million last year.