"Michigan athletics has no influence over any part of a review of a potential violation of the university's student code of conduct — not the process, the investigation or the timing of the resolution," Hoke said Monday. "In general, while we may be aware of an ongoing proceeding, we always strive to balance transparency with privacy."

Hoke didn't mention Gibbons, but the coach clearly appears to be responding to questions about how discipline with the former kicker was handled.

The Michigan Daily reported that it reviewed documents showing Gibbons was "permanently separated" from the school Dec. 20, 2013, when he was a graduate social work student. The newspaper reported the university's Office of Student Conflict Resolutions acted on the basis of a Nov. 22, 2009, incident.

Gibbons, who was a senior and three-year starter last season, last kicked for the Wolverines on Nov. 23, 2013, against Iowa. He didn't play against Ohio State the following week because Hoke said the kicker pulled a muscle. Hoke said a "family matter" prevented Gibbons, a native of West Palm Beach, Fla., from being with the team when the Wolverines arrived in Arizona for their bowl game.

The Washtenaw County prosecutor's office has said it is not reviewing any possible charges against the 22-year-old Gibbons. 	A day after the report last week, the university released a statement about the school's "response to allegations of sexual misconduct in 2009."

"Those allegations were handled in accordance with the university policy in effect at the time," the school's Jan. 29 statement said. "The university now adheres to the institution's policy on sexual misconduct by students, which was adopted in 2013."

The university said "if new information is obtained at a later point, the university could commence an investigation at that time." University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman also chimed in on the subject.

"Athletics has no influence over sexual misconduct investigations or the academic standing of student athletes," Coleman said in a statement.

Hoke, whose statement was released two days before national signing day, said he could not discuss details because of federal privacy laws and school policy.

"We talk every day with our kids about the importance of character and integrity," Hoke said. "It's something we take very seriously, how we're going to do things the right way. We talk daily about your name and what it means. That's why you get into this as a coach, to help young men grow and learn and mature. We're held to those standards, and we hold them to that. I think I've made clear our expectations, and our actions and discipline involving incidents in the past have reflected that. And those standards will not be compromised."


AUBURN VS. K-STATE ON THURSDAY


Auburn will play at Kansas State on Thursday night, Sept. 18, in the ESPN showcase game, the Wildcats athletic department announced Monday.

The game was originally scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20, as Auburn’s return game after Kansas State visited Auburn in 2007.

Auburn, coming off a 12-2 season in which it lost to Florida State in the BCS Championship Game, 34-31, opens the season at home against Arkansas on Aug. 30, followed by a home date against San Jose State on Sept. 6. The Tigers have a bye week and will next play in Manhattan, Kan., against Kansas State.

Kansas State opens the season Aug. 30 at home against Stephen F. Austin, followed by a trip to Ames, Iowa, against Iowa State on Sept. 6. The Wildcats finished 8-5 last season.


C-USA SCHEDULE RELEASED


Conference USA on Monday released its 2014 football schedule, a one-year model for a season with 13 conference teams. 	Each team will play eight conference games.

The six-team West Division includes Louisiana Tech, North Texas, Rice, Southern Miss, UTEP and UTSA. They play each other, and face three East Division teams.

FIU, Florida Atlantic, Marshall, Middle Tennessee, Old Dominion, UAB and WKU make up the seven-team East Division.

Florida Atlantic, Marshall and Middle Tennessee will each play the other six East teams, plus two West teams. The other East teams will play five East teams and three West teams.

Because of the uneven number of East teams, two intra-division matchups won't be played: Old Dominion vs. UAB and WKU vs. FIU. 	Charlotte becomes the 14th team in 2015.


MOUNTAINEERS VS. NINERS


Appalachian State and Charlotte announced they have agreed to a two-year football series beginning in 2018.

The series begins on Sept. 8, 2018 at Jerry Richardson Stadium in Charlotte and will conclude on Sept. 7, 2019 in Boone, according to the agreement reached Monday.

Both will be FBS schools by then.

Appalachian State, which won three national titles at the FCS level, is stepping up to the FBS level this year as a new member of the Sun Belt Conference. Charlotte, which played its inaugural football campaign in 2013 as an FCS independent, will move up to the next level and join Conference USA in 2015.

The series has the potential to create an interesting rivalry given the large number of Appalachian State alumni in the Charlotte area.

Contributors: Ken Bradley, The Associated Press