MIAMI — Miami coach Al Golden "had direct knowledge" of former Hurricanes equipment manager Sean "Pee Wee" Allen's "improper involvement with Miami recruits," Yahoo Sports reported.

The Yahoo report cites as its source "a former Hurricanes athletic-department staffer," as well as "federal testimony given by Allen" in imprisoned ex-Miami booster Nevin Shapiro's bankruptcy case.

The report said Allen, already embroiled in the NCAA's ongoing investigation of Miami, "continued improper contact with Miami recruits, which allegedly lasted through his final days working for the Hurricanes in the summer of 2011."

This is the first time Golden, hired in December 2010, has been mentioned in a report about potential NCAA violations at Miami. The Yahoo report does not specifically name Golden as overseeing improper phone calls or recruiting incidents.

"I have been a college football coach for more than 18 years and I am proud of — and I stand by — my record of compliance over that span," Golden said in a written statement. "As my colleagues and players on all of my teams can attest, I believe strongly in doing things the right way with the best of intentions. The inferences and suggestions in the Yahoo Sports story that my conduct was anything but ethical are simply false."

The Yahoo report cites an ex-Miami "staffer" who said "Allen was used specifically by members of Golden's staff as an 'off-the-books' recruiter.' " Under NCAA bylaws, Allen was not allowed to recruit.

Penn State statue decision

to be made next week

A statue of Hall of Fame coach Joe Paterno stands outside Beaver Stadium at Penn State, even as his reputation has swiftly fallen after a scathing investigative report found he helped cover up child sex-abuse allegations against former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.

Not long after a plane flew over campus this week with a banner that read: "Take the statue down or we will," Penn State students responded with a vigil to protect the statue of the late coach from vandals.

Should it stay or should it go?

Not even the sculptor of the statue knows, for sure, how to feel about his creation that has turned into a 900-pound Rorschach test on the campus.

"I think we should all wait on it. Put a cover on it," sculptor Angelo Di Maria said. "Let's see how everyone feels in six months ... or a year."

Penn State won't wait that long. University spokesman David La Torre said a decision on the matter would be made next week as Penn State's president seeks input from trustees, alumni and others about the fate of the monument.

Notes

• The Big Ten Conference has no plans to give its commissioner the power to fire coaches.

In a statement, conference officials said "giving emergency powers to the commissioner to fire personnel is not under consideration" by its 12 presidents and chancellors.

• Baylor regents have given their approval to building a $250 million on-campus stadium along the Brazos River. University regents unanimously approved the plan, contingent on the Waco City Council approving $35 million in public funds.

Baylor officials hope to have the 45,000-seat stadium ready for the 2014 season.