The NCAA has handed down a two year stint of probation to West Virginia University today which was suggested by WVU officials regarding former head coaches Rich Rodriguez and Bill Stewart failing to adhere to NCAA compliance. The probation comes on the heels of a 2005 to 2009 investigation of the University, the same timeline which Rodriguez and Stewart coached at WVU. The two coaches are no longer with the University.
Some of the probation penalties entail public reprimand and censure, and the probation itself ranges from today through July 7th, 2011. Additionally, total number of scholarships allowed to be rewarded will be reduced by one from academic 2011 through 2012 years.
Other penalty notables include elimination of two non-coaching graduate assistant positions, which results in non-coaching graduate assistant positions being decreased from seven to five.
Oliver Luck, West Virginia University’s athletic director, commented in a University document today by stating, “I am pleased that the Committee accepted the self-imposed penalties the University proposed, without imposing any additional ones. The University has already taken corrective action and put new systems in place to address all the issues raised.”
Regarding coveted post-season ‘bowl’ eligibility, Luck also said, “It is also important to note that probation does not affect our bowl eligibility or ability to compete for conference or national championships. It does, however, require annual reports over a two-year period, which we will complete.” Bowl games generally result in extra income for schools, universities, which is important for directors such as Luck.
Today’s NCAA probation of WVU also comes right after The Ohio State University being placed on a two-year NCAA probation as well. Notably, both are self-imposed.