Coach John Shulman jogged down the stands in McKenzie Arena after checking some paperwork in his fourth-floor office.
The papers confirmed what he knew to be true.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men's basketball coach accepted a deal 14 months ago that extended his contract through the 2013-14 season.
"A year ago, I was at an all-time high. I could have run for mayor and won," Shulman said. "But I wasn't a hero then, and I'm not a bum now."
Shulman endured the NCAA stripping him of one scholarship last season for poor academic progress rates. He also was a central figure in the entire UTC athletic department getting placed on a two-year probation by the NCAA.
The NCAA infractions report, released six weeks ago, stated that "the head men's basketball coach did not promote an atmosphere of compliance within the program." It also stated that he did not "protect the integrity of the investigation."
The APR hit and probation potentially could have violated Article XIII of his contract, which reads: "If Coach Shulman is found ... in violation of NCAA regulations, he shall be subject to disciplinary or corrective action by the University."
Athletic director Rick Hart and chancellor Roger Brown did not take any actions relevant to the agreement in relation to the APR penalty or probation.
A buyout of Shulman's contract - essentially firing him without cause - would cost UTC the rest of the contract, which at this date is about $500,000.
"The things that occurred and were discovered occurred two years ago," Hart said, referring to the major violations. "We already took the measures that we felt were necessary to address and correct the errors that were made both within the department and the basketball program."
Nor did they place any new guidelines on Shulman, like former Indiana University president Myles Brand famously did with coach Bob Knight in 2000.
"Rick Hart and I have spoken at great length about the behavior that all of our coaches will follow, and what we have said is that Rick will keep me informed about anything that comes to his attention that could be a rules violation," Brown said. "At that time, I will become very involved along with Rick to discipline that action.
"I have not set any probationary conditions on Coach Shulman. But I will assure you and the readers that going forward, Rick and I will confer any time that we think there is the possibility of a violation, and we will take very strong action."
Following the 2009 Southern Conference championship season, university officials and Shulman agreed to the extension that takes his contract to 2014 and a raise in base pay from $110,000 (Shulman's original 2004 deal) to $138,000 per year.
Part of the amendment agreed to on Sept. 10, 2009, reads: "In short, your leadership has brought notoriety to our department, our university and the city of Chattanooga."
PDF: Shulman Contract
After the signing of that agreement, the Mocs went 15-18 and 6-12 in the Southern Conference with a quarterfinals exit from the SoCon tournament.
Those results dropped Shulman's overall record to 105-90, his SoCon record to 54-52 and his SoCon tournament record to 10-4 with two NCAA tournament appearances.
"I'm the same guy who is coaching his heart out," Shulman said. "I'm just a guy who loves Chattanooga, the school and basketball. I want all the shots to go in - believe me."
UTC's 2010-11 season begins Friday at Tennessee and will go at least until the SoCon tournament is held in March at McKenzie Arena.
"Every season is important," Hart said. "We're going to continue to evaluate all of our coaches as it relates to how they manage all elements of their program. Not one specific element is more important than another.
"Coach Shulman does a great job and has been a great ambassador for UTC athletics, and I expect that to continue."