Sports

Rutgers Receives Probation from NCAA For Failing to Monitor Football Program

The probation period is two years.

Head coach Kyle Flood of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Head coach Kyle Flood of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights looks on from the sidelines during a game against the Washington State Cougars at High Point Solutions Stadium on September 12, 2015 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Washington State won 37-34. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images)

By Rebecca Gibian

Rutgers was punished with two years of probation for failing to monitor its football program, reports ESPN. The NCAA Committee on Infractions gave the university two years of probation, along with other sanctions, for the failure, and because former coach Kyle Flood took “a casual approach” to NCAA rules during his time as coach.

According to ESPN, there is a long list of failures, but among them are positive drug tests that were not reported, recruiting practices that did not follow NCAA guidelines, attempts to influence players’ grades, and members of the football program lying to NCAA investigators.

The probation starts immediately and does not end until Sept. 21, 2019. The university also has to pay a $5,000 fine. The NCAA also issued a “one-year show-cause order for Flood and the former assistant coach who committed recruiting violations,” reports ESPN. 

Flood is now an assistant offensive line coach for the Atlanta Falcons. However, if a school were to want to hire him in the next year, they would have to provide sufficient evidence as to why his involvement with the football program should not be limited, ESPN explains.

Rutgers imposed its own sanctions this past spring. The NCAA’s probation does not change too much from those, ESPN writes, and Rutgers readily admits that it “is clear violations occurred.”

Gary Miller, who was the chief hearing officer for the NCAA in this case, said that Rutgers participated fully in the investigation, reports ESPN. 

Flood and former athletic director Julie Hermann were both let go a year before the NCAA sent a notice of allegations to the university, writes ESPN. Flood tried to create extra opportunities for one player so that he could pass a course to be academically eligible for the 2015 season. When this went public, Flood served a three-game suspension.

Rutgers will only host 36 official visits this year, which is lower than their average 40. NCAA maximum is 62. Rutgers also took away 10 off-campus recruiting days, writes ESPN. 

The new staff is led by coach Chris Ash. According to ESPN, there will be one week this academic year where they cannot contact prospects by phone, social media or written mail.

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