Todd McNair
Encyclopedia
Todd Darren McNair is a former professional football
player and coach. McNair was the running back
s coach and special teams coordinator for the USC Trojans football team, where he was also a recruiter. McNair has received publicity related to NCAA sanctions imposed on the USC football team for his alleged role in the ineligibility of Reggie Bush
. In 2007, it was revealed that McNair had twice been convicted of animal cruelty.
, to Todd McNair, Sr. and Carolyn McNair. He played high school football at Pennsauken High School
and was a 1988 graduate of Temple University
where he played football
.
McNair is the uncle of current Pittsburgh Steelers
running back Isaac Redman
. Younger brother Scott McNair was also a running back at Temple.
(NFL) for the Kansas City Chiefs
and the Houston Oilers. During his career he filled a variety of roles, including acting as lead blocker, special teams, and third-down back. By the end of his career, he ran for 803 yards with 3 touchdowns, caught 252 passes with 7 touchdowns and averaged 18.6 yards on kickoff returns, retiring as the Chiefs' 10th all-time receiver.
in Camden, New Jersey. McNair was the running back
s coach for the Cleveland Browns
from 2001 to 2003, and joined USC in 2004. In his first season he served as Running Backs Coach, and took on the additional position of Special Teams Coordinator in 2005. McNair is also considered one of the most effective recruiters in college football. He was named one of the nation's top-25 recruiters by Rivals.com
.
McNair's contract at USC expired June 30, 2010 and was not renewed after 6 years. He played a key part in the NCAA's investigation of the school's athletic department dealing with former Trojans running back Reggie Bush
.
The 2004
and 2005 USC Trojans football team
s have had wins vacated and a BCS National Championship stripped following NCAA rulings that running back Reggie Bush
was ineligible due to improper benefits.
The NCAA ruled that McNair had engaged in unethical conduct, claiming that McNair had known about some of Bush's improperly received benefits, and sanctioned him with a show-cause penalty, prohibiting his interactions with football recruits for one year. Following a failed appeal of his sanctions, McNair announced an intent to sue the NCAA, accusing the body of libel, slander and misconduct
.
. In July 1993, McNair was convicted of animal neglect, fined $500 and put on probation. In October 1996, McNair was convicted on 17 counts of animal cruelty and failure to license dogs and ordered to pay nearly $25,000 in fines and perform eight hours of community service. Case investigators alleged that McNair was involved in dog fighting
with pit bull
s, but the court ruled that there was insufficient evidence for a conviction on those charges.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player and coach. McNair was the running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
s coach and special teams coordinator for the USC Trojans football team, where he was also a recruiter. McNair has received publicity related to NCAA sanctions imposed on the USC football team for his alleged role in the ineligibility of Reggie Bush
Reggie Bush
Reginald Alfred "Reggie" Bush II is an American football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
. In 2007, it was revealed that McNair had twice been convicted of animal cruelty.
Early years
McNair was born in Camden, New JerseyCamden, New Jersey
The city of Camden is the county seat of Camden County, New Jersey. It is located across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 77,344...
, to Todd McNair, Sr. and Carolyn McNair. He played high school football at Pennsauken High School
Pennsauken High School
Pennsauken High School is a four-year comprehensive regional public high school that serves students Pennsauken Township, in Camden County, New Jersey, United States, as part of the Pennsauken Public Schools....
and was a 1988 graduate of Temple University
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
where he played football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
.
McNair is the uncle of current Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
running back Isaac Redman
Isaac Redman
Isaac Redman is an American football running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was signed by the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Bowie State University in Bowie, Maryland.-Early years:Redman played high school football...
. Younger brother Scott McNair was also a running back at Temple.
Professional football career
McNair played professionally in the National Football LeagueNational Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
(NFL) for the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
and the Houston Oilers. During his career he filled a variety of roles, including acting as lead blocker, special teams, and third-down back. By the end of his career, he ran for 803 yards with 3 touchdowns, caught 252 passes with 7 touchdowns and averaged 18.6 yards on kickoff returns, retiring as the Chiefs' 10th all-time receiver.
Coaching career
McNair retired from professional football in 1996 and began coaching at Camden High SchoolCamden High School (New Jersey)
Camden High School is a four-year comprehensive community public high school that serves students in ninth through twelfth grades from the city of Camden, New Jersey, United States. The school is part of the Camden City Public Schools, which is classified as an Abbott District. The school,...
in Camden, New Jersey. McNair was the running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
s coach for the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
from 2001 to 2003, and joined USC in 2004. In his first season he served as Running Backs Coach, and took on the additional position of Special Teams Coordinator in 2005. McNair is also considered one of the most effective recruiters in college football. He was named one of the nation's top-25 recruiters by Rivals.com
Rivals.com
Rivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
.
McNair's contract at USC expired June 30, 2010 and was not renewed after 6 years. He played a key part in the NCAA's investigation of the school's athletic department dealing with former Trojans running back Reggie Bush
Reggie Bush
Reginald Alfred "Reggie" Bush II is an American football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
.
The 2004
2004 USC Trojans football team
The 2004 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California in the 2004-2005 NCAA Division I-A college football season. Although now vacated for breaking NCAA rules, the team won the 2004 BCS National Championship by winning the 2005 Orange Bowl, that year's BCS National...
and 2005 USC Trojans football team
2005 USC Trojans football team
The 2005 USC Trojans football team represented the University of Southern California in the college football season of 2005–2006, winning the Pacific-10 Conference , and playing for the NCAA Division I-A national championship...
s have had wins vacated and a BCS National Championship stripped following NCAA rulings that running back Reggie Bush
Reggie Bush
Reginald Alfred "Reggie" Bush II is an American football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
was ineligible due to improper benefits.
The NCAA ruled that McNair had engaged in unethical conduct, claiming that McNair had known about some of Bush's improperly received benefits, and sanctioned him with a show-cause penalty, prohibiting his interactions with football recruits for one year. Following a failed appeal of his sanctions, McNair announced an intent to sue the NCAA, accusing the body of libel, slander and misconduct
Misconduct
A misconduct is a legal term meaning a wrongful, improper, or unlawful conduct motivated by premeditated or intentional purpose or by obstinate indifference to the consequences of one's acts....
.
Animal cruelty charges
McNair was twice convicted on charges related to mistreatment of dogsCruelty to animals
Cruelty to animals, also called animal abuse or animal neglect, is the infliction of suffering or harm upon non-human animals, for purposes other than self-defense. More narrowly, it can be harm for specific gain, such as killing animals for food or for their fur, although opinions differ with...
. In July 1993, McNair was convicted of animal neglect, fined $500 and put on probation. In October 1996, McNair was convicted on 17 counts of animal cruelty and failure to license dogs and ordered to pay nearly $25,000 in fines and perform eight hours of community service. Case investigators alleged that McNair was involved in dog fighting
Dog fighting
Dog fighting is a form of blood sport in which game dogs are made to fight, sometimes to the death. It is illegal in most developed countries. Dog fighting is used for entertainment and may also generate revenue from stud fees, admission fees and gambling....
with pit bull
Pit bull
A Pit bull is any of several breeds of dog in the molosser breed group.Many jurisdictions that restrict pit bulls, including Ontario, Canada,, Miami, Florida, U.S...
s, but the court ruled that there was insufficient evidence for a conviction on those charges.