BAYLOR COACH'S ACTS CONTEMPTIBLE

What began as the sad death of a basketball player has turned into a sordid
scandal and marred the reputation of one of the state's respected
universities.

The behavior of basketball coach Dave Bliss, who resigned Aug. 9, has been
so reprehensible that Baylor University is seriously stained, even if
higher-ups were completely unaware of his actions.

During the search for Bears player Patrick Dennehy - later found dead near
Waco, a teammate charged with murdering him - reports of improper payments
to players surfaced. Bliss explained at a press conference that he had
decided to resign after learning that improprieties had occurred.

Details are still emerging, but the evidence so far indicates that Bliss was
involved in payments to at least two players in violation of NCAA rules. Yet
he tried to imply that some unnamed person was responsible, leaving people
to wonder which assistant coach or booster had cheated.

Not for long, though. Other allegations quickly overtook the news of the
resignation and put Bliss on the hot seat where he belonged.

Even more shocking than the blame-shifting were Bliss' attempts to coerce
players and an assistant coach to say that Dennehy had been dealing drugs,
and that could have been the reason for his murder. The assistant coach,
Abar Rouse, secretly taped several conversations.

What Bliss did may or may not be illegal, but without question it is
despicable. To enlist others to lie to smear the reputation of a dead player
in an effort to save his own skin is beyond revolting.

How Baylor officials respond now is critical for the university's future.
They must be forthcoming and honest, but so far they have fallen short.

President Robert Sloan appropriately has imposed his own probation for the
Baylor basketball program. But regents say they have been told not to
discuss the situation with the media for fear things might get ''blown out
of proportion.''

It's a little late for that. Besides, it's the news media that have exposed
the problems at Baylor. Any university official who wants to try to make a
case that rules violations and horrific behavior shouldn't be made public
belongs in another field.

In the meantime, Bliss can make preparations for his induction into the
sports hall of shame.