The University of Central Florida received a Notice of Allegations from the NCAA detailing a number of violations. Amidst the wake of the allegations, UCF athletic director Keith Tribble resigned. UCF football wide receivers coach David Kelly also resigned and men’s basketball coach Donnie Jones was suspended for three conference games without pay as well. Tribble and Kelly were also cited for “unethical conduct” after meeting with NCAA investigators.
UCF NCAA Investigation: Athletic Director Keith Tribble Resigns
The NCAA alleged that a recruiter for a sports agency committed violations in both football and basketball recruiting, including paying tuition and travel expenses for both players and recruits. The NCAA alleges that Ken Caldwell and Brandon Bender, Caldwell identified as “a recruiter for a professional sports agency” by the NCAA. According to the allegations, Bender and Caldwell paid tuition and fees for UCF men’s basketball players, gave a laptop computer to a football recruit; and covered transportation expenses for men’s basketball recruits. The NCAA also states that Tribble, Kelly, and Jones were aware of the contact of their players and recruits by Bender and Caldwell.
UCF is currently already on probation until 2012 for impermissible calls by football staff to recruits between 2007 to 2009.
UCF head football coach George O’Leary reacted to the high profile resignations:
It’s disappointing obviously. The only thing you can do is move on from this point. You know it’s really something that occurred. I hate to see any adults lose their job over anything, but I think decisions were made and, again, I’m more right now interested in the outcome as far as the NCAA’s concerned.
UCF has 90 days from November 7th to respond to the allegations.
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