Melvin Hunt was not in a position to be picky. He needed the job. It didn't have to be, but the job seemed perfect.

Rudy Tomjanovich had stepped down as Rockets coach, and it would be weeks before Jeff Van Gundy would be hired.

Hunt had no idea where his career was headed when Baylor, his alma mater, offered a job as an assistant coach.

Hunt had a young family to support and a career to nourish. Patrick Dennehy was a relatively unknown, talented college basketball player alive and well at Baylor. There was little to even hint at the scandal and disgrace to come.

Hunt accepted the congratulations of his friends and looked forward to becoming a college coach. He was not dipping his toes; he was ready to dive into waters that he could not have known would become a college basketball cesspool.

"I was really excited," Hunt said in June, days after he had turned down the "perfect job."

"But my wife and I prayed about it and something just didn't seem right. I don't know what it is. But I'm going to stay with the Rockets and trust that it is the right thing. Something just isn't right."

Weeks later, Dennehy would be declared missing. In the weeks that followed, Dennehy would be found dead. His former teammate Carlton Dotson would be arrested and charged with murder. The ensuing investigation would uncover widespread rules violations. Head coach Dave Bliss and athletic director Tom Stanton would resign.