Frank Haith, a University of Missouri's men's basketball coach received a five-game suspension from the NCAA for his role in the Miami/Nevin Shapiro scandal. Haith accepted the suspension even though he could have appealed the decision.

Before joining Missouri in 2011, Haith coached Miami Hurricanes for seven seasons leading them to one NCAA Tournament appearance and four NITs. He compiled a record of 129-101 at Miami.

According to the findings of NCAA's two-year investigation, while coaching Miami Hurricanes, Haith and three assistants paid $10,000 to Shapiro, a former Miami football booster, after the latter threatened to expose the program for improper contact with high school players and amateur coaches.

Haith disagrees with the NCAA infractions committee's conclusions.

"While I strongly disagree with today's report, and the inference on how the program was run at the University of Miami, as head basketball coach during that period, I accept responsibility for all actions in and around that program," Haith said in an official statement. "This has been an excruciating ordeal for my family. An appeal, which would likely drag further into the season, would only prolong what has already been a lengthy and trying period of time for our student-athletes, the University of Missouri and our fans, and it's time for closure."

Following the suspension, Haith will not be a part of the Tigers' upcoming games against Southeastern Louisiana, Southern Illinois, Hawaii, Gardner-Webb and IUPUI. Apart from losing the right to coach the team for five games, Haith can't be present in the stadium where the games are played and also not have any contact with Missouri coaches or basketball players from Nov. 8, the day the Tigers play Southeastern Louisiana, until 11:59 on the night of the IUPUI game.

Haith will be back on the coaching staff on Nov.28 when Tigers Play Northwestern in the Las Vegas Invitational.

Despite Haith's poor conduct at his previous employment, Missouri's chancellor Brady Deaton and senior associate AD for compliance, Mary Austin, are standing by him.

"We are extremely excited about the direction of our program and look forward to his continued leadership for our young men," athletic director Mike Alden, said in an official statement. "I'm proud to have Frank Haith as our men's basketball coach."

"At Missouri, we take great pride in our conduct with regard to NCAA rules and regulations. During his time here, Coach Haith has been forthright with me and our compliance staff throughout this long process," Alden said in the official statement.

Along with Haith, the Miami basketball program is also facing tough disciplinary actions. The program will lose one scholarship per year over the next three years.

Topics Ncaa, Five, Games, Miami, University of Missouri, Men, Basketball, Coach, Suspension, Missouri