Oregon "sanctions" announced

Submitted by MikeCohodes on

So the NCAA announced Oregon's slap on the wrist with a feather for their recruiting infractions. Most of the penalties will make next to no impact on Oregon football.  What do you guys think, does the punishment fit the crime?

The penalties include:

  • Public reprimand and censure.
  • Three years of probation from June 26, 2013 through June 25, 2016.
  • An 18-month show cause order for the former head coach. The public report contains further details.
  • A one-year show-cause order for the former assistant director of operations. The public report contains further details.
  • A reduction of initial football scholarships by one from the maximum allowed (25) during the 2012-13 and 2013-14 academic years (imposed by the university).
  • A reduction of total football scholarships by one from the maximum allowed (85) during the 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 academic years (imposed by the university).
  • A reduction of official paid football visits to from 56 to 37 for the 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15 academic years.
  • A reduction of permissible football evaluation days from 42 to 36 in the fall of 2013, 2014 and 2015 and permissible football evaluation days from 168 to 144 in the spring of 2014, 2015 and 2016.
  • A ban on the subscription to recruiting services during the probation period.
  • A disassociation of the recruiting service provider. Details of the disassociation are included in the public report (imposed by the university).

EDIT: Sorry, forgot to link to source - NCAA official announcement link here

WolvinLA2

June 26th, 2013 at 11:35 AM ^

I agree - that part is pretty significant. Oregon doesn't have much in-state talent and they rely on recruiting areas that aren't easily driveable, namely Southern California. Only having 37 officials is tough, considering a class of 24. That means you can't miss on many at all, which will deter Oregon from going after the hotly contested recruits. Don't expect Oregon to go after many Midwest recruits in the next three years.

LSAClassOf2000

June 26th, 2013 at 11:05 AM ^

Here's the long version of the report (LINK) with the complete history of the investigation. Under "Other Administrative Penalties":

"Continue to develop and implement a comprehensive educational program on NCAA legislation to instruct the coaches, the faculty athletics representative, all athletics department personnel and all institution staff members with responsibility for the certification of student-athletes' eligibility for admission, financial aid, practice or competition; "

So, when someone sends the printout of the "compliance course schedule" for the staff to the NCAA, will it be on Oregon letterhead or Nike letterhead? Will it matter? The reduction in paid visits might sting a little.....a little, as a few have said, but I don't see Oregon being seriously hurt here. 

Sopwith

June 26th, 2013 at 11:15 AM ^

I can say without hyperbole that this is worse than the death penalty. Will take years to get back to national prominence. That one schollie they lost was going to be a 4-time Heisman winning Offensive Weapon (TM*) and losing subscription privileges to recruiting sites, I mean... oh, the humanity!

*Offensive Weapon is a registered trademark of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

xxxxNateDaGreat

June 27th, 2013 at 11:47 PM ^

Actually, USC was Reggie Bush and his family getting free SUV, cash/"gifts", & a house, OJ Mayo taking cash/"gifts", and a few members of the girl's tennis team making long distance phone calls on the university dime.

But you still get full participation points for contributing to class discussion today!

gwkrlghl

June 26th, 2013 at 12:04 PM ^

There are no consequences unless you're doing some light. Major programs can do whatever the hell they want, refuse to cooperate, and expect to lose less than 5 total scholarships (out of 85!) and get probation. Why the hell not cheat then?

BlueinLansing

June 26th, 2013 at 12:21 PM ^

Kelly left to avoid tougher sanctions, in a sense losing Chip Kelly was a pretty big deal and a pretty stiff penalty by itself.  Especially if the next guy isn't nearly as good.  Time will tell.

The FannMan

June 26th, 2013 at 12:57 PM ^

This blog has a tougher penalty than anything the NCAA hit Oregon with.

Can't imagine how pissed off USC is about this.  [Edit - Just remembered OSU's slap on the wrist with a feather v our"stretch-gate."  I do know how pissed-off USC is.]

Tater

June 26th, 2013 at 3:10 PM ^

I would like to call attention to a post I made yesterday in the pre-decision thread:

Oregon gets off with one or two schollies reduced and "probation" that means nothing. Meanwhile, Phil Knight will be required to give everyone on the committee all of the Nike sports equipment they want.

Not to pat myself on the back or anything...

Njia

June 26th, 2013 at 9:35 PM ^

You KNOW it's about the money. I would not be surprised if the major sports media franchises have made it pretty clear to the NCAA (either directly, or via the athletic conferences and/or university presidents, athletic directors, etc.) that they will not, under any circumstances, tolerate serious sanctions against major college programs.

As my dad always says, money talks and bullshit walks.