South Oak Cliff boys basketball coach James Mays II and former SOC teacher Winford Ashmore appeared on a radio show Friday to defend their positions regarding the eligibility of former basketball star Darrell Arthur.

Mays and Ashmore appeared on ESPN-FM 103.3's "The Michael Irvin Show" after a report from WFAA-TV (Channel 8) on Thursday alleged school officials improperly changed Arthur's grades.

Ashmore, Arthur's former math teacher, told "The Michael Irvin Show" that he provided the documents to WFAA regarding Arthur's grades.

Ashmore said making the allegations public was not meant to attack Arthur but the school's officials – namely Mays and former principal Donald Moten. Ashmore has said that Mays and Moten had approached him about changing Arthur's grade.

"These adults should be there for the purpose of helping aid and educating the kids," Ashmore said, "but they were there in a user situation of the kids."

Mays told Irvin's show that WFAA based its information on "four or five ex-employees who have been reassigned or fired."

Mays, who has denied the allegations, called the former employees "disgruntled."

Mays added that he's been in contact with Arthur, a sophomore at Kansas.

"He's disappointed," Mays said of Arthur. "These things are difficult to anybody, especially a young man. Anytime your reputation is questioned or character is assassinated, it's a shame."

In late January, the Dallas ISD's Office of Professional Responsibility announced it would investigate the school's 2004-05 and 2006-07 championship seasons to determine if there were any other grade-changing irregularities.

This was in response to an investigation that determined South Oak Cliff used an ineligible player during the 2005-2006 championship season.

Arthur was an important player on Kansas' national championship team last season. He has applied for early entry into the NBA draft but did not sign with an agent.

"We are aware of the allegations as described in the news story," Kansas coach Bill Self said in a statement. "I'm sure the high school and the school district will do a good job determining the facts. It would be premature and inappropriate for anyone to comment any further until the process in Dallas takes its course."

NCAA representative Stacey Osburn said the NCAA will not speculate on the matter while DISD is investigating.

Staff writer Chip Brown and The Associated Press contributed to this report.