USC basketball assistant coach Bland is fired

LOS ANGELES — The University of Southern California has fired associate head coach Tony Bland in the wake of his arrest in the men’s college basketball bribery and corruption case.

A school spokesman confirmed Bland’s firing on Thursday but offered no other details. He had been on administrative leave since his arrest in September. He was on USC’s staff for 4 1/2 years.

Bland was one of 10 people arrested in the case. Three other assistants — Chuck Person of Auburn, Book Richardson of Arizona and Lamont Evans of Oklahoma State — were also fired as part of the FBI probe, which revealed a pay-for-play scheme in which schools would funnel money through shoe companies to a player in exchange for their commitment.

Bland pleaded not guilty in November to four charges relating to bribery and wire fraud.

Federal prosecutors in New York alleged Bland received a $13,000 bribe in July from would-be agent Christian Dawkins and financial adviser Munish Sood in exchange for steering USC players to use their services when they became professionals.

USC guard D’Anthony Melton was ruled ineligible this season because of the case involving Bland, who was accused by prosecutors of facilitating payments to Melton.

Melton, who wasn’t named in the complaint but identified by his attorney, cooperated by giving USC cellphone records and bank statements. His attorney, Vicki Podberesky, has maintained throughout the investigation that Melton knew nothing about any violations.