Geiger stays calm under fire by Brown

Maurice Clarett's adviser has called the Ohio State athletic director a "slave master."
COLUMBUS (AP) -- Ohio State athletic director Andy Geiger said Saturday that he is not bothered by being referred to as a "slave master" by an adviser to suspended running back Maurice Clarett.
"I don't really react to it. I do what I think is right. I do the job I'm supposed to do and I respect other people's opinions," Geiger said Saturday. "I don't wish to elevate or denigrate or do anything else. [I] stand up and take the heat and that's what's expected."
Former NFL star Jim Brown, an adviser and friend of Clarett and his mother, Michelle, said in an ESPN.com story this week, "I think Andy Geiger wants to start a revolution. He is acting like a slave master. If Andy Geiger wants to act like God, then this ball game is over."
Brown told The Associated Press on Saturday that his comments stemmed from Geiger not showing respect toward him and the Claretts of Youngstown. Brown said Geiger was dismissive of him in his role as an adviser to the family.
"When I am being respected by a mother and son and they are giving me that respect, then I doggone expect to be respected by an athletic director," he said. "When you have the power to destroy a kid's life, you have to be gracious in your investigation."
Daily chats
Brown said he talks with the Claretts daily.
Alan C. Milstein, the Claretts' family attorney, said Saturday he was mystified why Ohio State is not expediting Clarett's eligibility case.
"Based on the actions of Mr. Geiger and Ohio State, there is no way I could ever begin to figure out what is motivating them," Milstein said.
Clarett, the Warren Harding High graduate who scored the winning touchdown for the Buckeyes in last year's national championship game, was suspended by Ohio State while the NCAA and university officials probe his financial dealings and academics.
Geiger said Ohio State's response to several pages of NCAA allegations against Clarett is nearing completion. He declined to specify when the report would be sent.
"Soon. Whenever," he said.
Geiger has said that the case against Clarett could have been finished in July if Clarett had been forthcoming with investigators.
Snitch problem
Brown said Clarett did not want to point fingers at other players, the university or other "people who have been nice to him."
"The kid is in a difficult position because if he starts telling, he's a snitch," he said.
The Claretts are cooperating with the university, Brown said.
"They're trying to do everything the university is asking them to do. I know his mother is trying to with receipts and everything," Brown said.
Geiger and Ohio State seem to be trying to demonize Clarett for other problems at the school, Brown said.
"I guess Ohio State is squeaky clean. I guess Geiger is squeaky clean," he said. "What is Geiger's agenda? His agenda can't be Maurice because he's just a student athlete."
Not vindictive
Geiger scoffed at the notion that he might be vindictive against Clarett, who accused Geiger and other OSU officials of lying to him last December.
"I've been at this 32 years," Geiger said. "Come on. Good Lord."
Clarett, who set Ohio State freshman records with 1,237 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns last season, said he had been turned down by Ohio State when he asked to fly from the Fiesta Bowl to his home in Youngstown for the funeral of a friend. Ohio State officials said he had not filled out the necessary paperwork.
"They can't lie about that. I won't sit here and let them lie about that," Clarett said at the time.
Milstein said delays in the case have frustrated the Clarett family.
"The family is saying, 'Just tell us what you're going to do.' What's the point of stringing this out?" Milstein said.