NCAA notifies New Mexico of potential rules violations
CBSSports.com wire reports
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- New Mexico has received notice from the NCAA of four potential rules violations involving three members of the Lobos' football coaching staff.
Athletics director Paul Krebs declined to identify the coaches but said Friday that two of the coaches are no longer on staff. No allegations are directed at head coach Rocky Long.
"We will not tolerate intentional violations of NCAA rules," Krebs said at a news conference. "There is nothing more important to the health and well-being of an athletics department than integrity."
The coaches allegedly helped four prospective student athletes and a student athlete who was enrolled at New Mexico to improperly obtain credits through correspondence courses at Fresno Pacific University, another four-year college.
Only two of the five ever played for the Lobos. No current football players are involved in the allegations, which date from the spring of 2004 and fall of 2005.
The NCAA sent a notice of allegations to university president David Schmidly last week. Krebs said New Mexico will respond in writing by Dec. 7. The school then must attend a hearing before the NCAA infractions committee next spring.
A verdict would be rendered at that stage.
Potential sanctions would be determined by the committee. They could range from recruiting restrictions to loss of television appearances or a bowl game ban.
The school has hired outside counsel to assist in the case.
Krebs declined to speculate on what the outcome might be but emphasized that an internal investigation will continue. He said New Mexico will self-impose penalties if the investigation shows the allegations are supported.
"We are going to do what we think is right, based on our fact-finding," he said.
New Mexico first learned of the violations in July 2006. Krebs said administrators, including Long, weren't aware of the violations when they occurred.
He noted the NCAA is not alleging that New Mexico failed to exercise institutional control over the football program.
"This involves three individuals who on their own committed what are alleged to be ethical violations," Krebs said.
Long was traveling with the team for Saturday night's game at Arizona and wasn't available for immediate comment.
"Coach Long has been very cooperative" with NCAA investigators, Krebs said. "Like all of us, he wants to get to the bottom of this."
Krebs declined to name the assistant who remains with the team, citing that person's due process rights. He acknowledged there have been conversations with the coach, who could face undetermined penalties.
"The charges are serious," Krebs said. "We don't take it lightly."
