Nebraska, at the time Romeo transferred, had just gone through the turmoil of the accusations of abusive treatment against Connie Yori and her forced resignation. I suspect (though I don't know for sure) that the NCAA is more lenient on transfer requests when there's been a coaching change. I can't help but wonder if Shepard's waiver request, though one year removed from Yori's departure, was viewed through this lens.
Plebe: I'm pretty much thinking the same way, although I might refer to it as "program uncertainty." In the case of Nebraska, you had the Yori "resignation," which resulted in Romeo transferring immediately, two top recruits de-committing and going elsewhere (Cal and Iowa, if memory serves correct) and then Shepard leaving, after playing for the new coach for one year.
Chatrice White left Illinois following a season after now-departed Matt Bollant's program was hit with racial discrimination charges and lawsuits. Other players had left the program and White was clearly the best player (left) in the program.
Still, her father told the Chicago Tribune that "...she had no negative experience at Illinois but is seeking a program in which she can develop her skills further and find more team success."
That sounds similar to what Ms. Shepard has publicly said.
Romeo, White and Shepard all have these unstable situations in common and the NCAA does check back with the school the players transferred from, so Nebraska and Illinois weighed in on these petitions. Outside of that, the particulars are private...
