Reports: Oregon, NCAA agree on 'major violation' in football

The University of Oregon and the NCAA agree at least one "major violation" was committed by the football program, according to documents obtained by the Oregonian.

The school has acknowledged "at least one major violation" by its football coaches alleged by the NCAA during the ongoing investigation into the Ducks' recruiting practices 2008-11. According to the Oregonian, the school has proposed to self-impose a two-year probation and reduction of scholarships for the next three seasons.

However, the NCAA and Oregon reportedly have not agreed on the severity of a violation tied to Willie Lyles, the Texas-based scout who received $25,000 for his services. Because the NCAA and Oregon do not see eye to eye on whether Lyles' involvement constitutes a major or secondary violation, the school will move to the next step in the enforcement process: an appearance before the NCAA's committee on infractions.

According to the reports, the school should have its infractions hearing "sometime this year." 

The Oregonian and KATU, a television station in Portland, Ore., obtained documents late Monday night through a public-records request. The 515 pages reportedly include signed dispositions from Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens, who agrees "this case is major in nature."

The school issued an official statement on the documents after their release.

"The review is ongoing until the NCAA Committee on Infractions issues its final report," the statement said. "The integrity of the process and our continued full cooperation with the NCAA prohibits us from publicly discussing the specifics of the matter."

The misconduct acknowledged by Oregon in the documents occurred mostly during the tenure of former Ducks' coach Chip Kelly. On Tuesday, the current Philadelphia Eagles coach released a statement in response to the reports.

"I am aware of the recent reports and of the ongoing investigation being conducted by the NCAA and the University of Oregon," Kelly said in a prepared statement. "While at Oregon, I know we were fully cooperative with all aspects of the investigation and I will continue to contribute in any way that I can. But until the NCAA rules on the matter, I will have no further comment."

The NCAA enforcement staff reportedly stated they had "no finding for lack of institutional control and no finding of unethical conduct" during the ongoing investigation. According to the reports, the $25,000 payment is not even the primary issue for the NCAA. Instead, the major violation is alleged because the NCAA considered Lyles a "booster" for the school who acted as a "human GPS" for top talent. 

Lyles was scrutinized heavily for providing oral reports to Oregon and outdated recruiting material when his company, Complete Scouting Services, was tied to possible NCAA violations. Oregon agrees that it improperly used three scouting services -- CSS, Elite Scouting Services and New Level Athletics, during 2008-10 by accepting these oral reports on players when only written reports and videos are permitted.