Is it time to officially close the book on the nightmare known as the 2017 Auburn softball season?

A report released this week by ESPN's Outside the Lines reveals that Corey Myers, former Auburn associate head softball coach and son of former head coach Clint Myers, engaged in inappropriate relationships with multiple players of the softball team.

Now, Corey has been formally banned from the Auburn campus, on and off-campus Auburn activities, and the softball program.

The findings were the result of a Title IX investigation. Here's the timeline: 

- Fall 2016: Auburn's Title IX office began investigating Corey Myers.

- May 2017: Former Auburn player Alexa Nemeth filed a Title IX complaint alleging that Corey's behavior created a hostile environment that affected the entire team.

- August 21, 2017: Auburn banned Corey Myers from the university in a terse letter detailing their findings.

- August 23, 2017: Clint Myers abruptly retired and left the Auburn Softball program.

- October 25, 2017: Auburn's Title IX coordinator Kelley Taylor responded to Alexa Nemeth that their office found enough evidence to "support a finding that unwanted sexual conduct occurred" between Corey and other members of the team. However, the office claimed there was not enough evidence that Myers' behavior "created a hostile environment for [players]."

Nemeth is appealing the overall finding of "non-responsibility." She is claiming the investigation was not thorough because only four witnesses were interviewed and three were "very loyal" to the Myers family.

The book might not be ready to close until an arbitrator hears Alexa's appeal. So who is responsible for Auburn softball arriving at this position?

Does The Responsibility Fall On Clint Myers?

Corey Myers will have to answer for his behavior. However, there is an equally great burden on Clint Myers to answer for the following allegation contained in the Title IX complaint:

"Clint Myers knowingly let his son Corey Myers have relations and pursue relations with multiple members of the team."

The allegation is a direct violation of Title IX rules, which state that coaches may not engage in romantic relationships with players.

Furthermore, Corey's behavior could be viewed as an extension of issues that appeared at Arizona State when coach Myers and Corey worked together.

Corey was formally banned from ASU due to violations related to using the program to "further his business interests" and serve as a volunteer coach without permission. This resulted in the Arizona State Athletics Department self-reporting an NCAA violation.

However, after coach Myers was hired by Auburn in 2013, Corey was allowed to join the staff. Corey was then promoted to associate head coach in 2016. That same year, the Title IX investigation began.

Does The Responsibility Fall On Athletic Director Jay Jacobs?

The personnel decisions, investigation, and fallout all occurred under the watch of AD Jay Jacobs.

Now, Jacobs is set to leave the position after announcing his resignation on November 3. However, Jacobs will remain in the position until June 2018 — unless a replacement is found in the interim.

Along with the softball program, the football, baseball, basketball, and track and field programs are also under investigation, according to the ESPN report. That is not a good look for one of the top athletic programs in the country.

Extending beyond Auburn's internal investigation into the softball program, it will be interesting to see whether the NCAA makes a formal ruling. Regardless, the overall perception about Auburn softball is that players were not placed in a healthy environment.

The additional signs of an unhealthy environment included Haley Fagan getting into an on-field altercation with Florida coach Tim Walton and three players arrested for marijuana possession.

It was an all-around difficult year for the Auburn softball team on and off the field. But, following the departures of coach Myers and Corey, is there hope for a turnaround?

Written by James Caldwell