CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) – Attorneys for former North Carolina assistant coach John Blake say their client received loans from longtime friend and sports agent Gary Wichard, but there was never an arrangement to direct players to Wichard once they left for the NFL.
Florida-based attorney William H. Beaver II said Wichard was trying to help Blake as the coach encountered financial trouble after being fired as the head coach at Oklahoma a dozen years ago. Beaver wouldn’t specify exactly how much money was provided.
The financial transactions were first reported by Yahoo! Sports.
Also on Thursday, the school announced safety Da’Norris Searcy was cleared to play in Saturday’s game against East Carolina. He missed the first three games amid the ongoing NCAA investigation.
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AP Sports Writer Joedy McCreary contributed to this report.
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