The NCAA says LSU committed major violations in its football program while recruiting a junior college player and cited a former assistant coach for unethical conduct. The probe found that ex-assistant coach D.J. McCarthy improperly arranged for transportation and housing for former defensive lineman Akiem Hicks, then later tried to cover up those actions. McCarthy resigned in December 2009. Hicks never played for the Tigers before he left LSU.
In a ruling issued today, the NCAA publicly reprimanded LSU and placed it on probation for one year. The NCAA accepted LSU’s self-imposed reduction of two scholarships, as well as reductions in official visits and recruiting calls. “A situation that could have been much worse was made better by the dedicated work of the LSU athletics compliance staff, and I am pleased that the NCAA recognized LSU’s effort to cooperate and be proactive,” said LSU Chancellor Mike Martin in a statement. Joe Alleva, athletic director, called the outcome “fair” and noted, “It is extremely rare that a university would be given less than two years’ probation in a situation like this.”
