UCF has accepted the resignation of Athletic Director Keith Tribble amid a NCAA investigation into the recruiting practices of the football and men’s basketball teams. The news was announced by school president John Hitt during a Wednesday press conference.
Keith Tribble Resigns As UCF Athletic Director, School President Confirms
Hitt said he had accepted resignation of wide receivers coach David Kelly and that men’s basketball coach Donnie Jones had been suspended for three games. Head football coach George O’Leary was not punished, and Hitt said that he had participated fully with NCAA investigators.
Also during the press conference, Hitt handed out a copy of the NCAA investigation that apparently focused on the recruitment of six men’s basketball players and five football players between March 2009 and July 2011. Those players were essentially steered toward UCF by Ken Caldwell, a recruiter for a professional sports agency, and Brandon Bender, an associate of Caldwell’s. UCF coaches were apparently aware of this activity.
Regarding Tribble’s involvement, the report had this to say:
The NCAA notice alleges Tribble “violated principles of ethical conduct when he knowingly (a) attempted to provide an improper inducement to the mother of a prospective student-athlete and (b)provided false and misleading information to the institution and enforcement staff.”
Retired Admiral Al Harms was named the interim athletic director.
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