Posted on Mon, May. 30, 2005

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FIU FOOTBALL

 

BY BARRY JACKSON

 

bjackson@herald.com

 

 

Florida International University was informed Friday that its football program will be placed on three years' probation because of offseason workouts supervised by a former assistant coach, FIU athletic director Rick Mello confirmed Sunday. The NCAA is expected to make an announcement soon.

 

The probation does not include loss of scholarships or limitations on appearances in bowl games or on TV and will not hinder FIU's attempt to move to Division I-A in football.

 

The probation requires FIU to file compliance reports every six months, and also puts the Golden Panthers at risk of incurring more substantial penalties if the program commits a second ''major'' NCAA violation.

 

The violation is being called ''major'' by the NCAA because FIU's report to the NCAA concludes that Steve Smith -- FIU's offensive line coach at the time -- knew he was violating NCAA rules when he coached players on technique during 85 ? hours of voluntary offseason workouts before spring practice and during July in 2002, 2003 and 2004. Coach-supervised workouts are not permitted during those times of the year.

 

Smith, who in March was promoted from offensive line coach to head coach at Hialeah High, on Sunday declined comment about the FIU situation.

 

''It's something we're not proud of,'' Mello said of being placed on probation. But Mello added that ``schools with the finest academic reputations and [some] that have won national championships have been on probation. . . . I'm relieved it's behind us and no student-athletes are negatively impacted.''

 

`SEND A MESSAGE'

 

Mello, who said he had no knowledge of the violations while they were occurring, possibly avoided additional NCAA sanctions by imposing several penalties on his program.

 

''This is the first major violation in our history and I wanted to send a message loud and clear that this type of activity will not be tolerated in our institution,'' he said.

 

Among the self-imposed penalties:

 

? Mello said there would be no cost-of-living-based salary increases for himself, football coach Don Strock, all of the assistant football coaches and head strength coach Lou Deneen during the academic year that concluded this month.

 

? Strock, all of his assistant coaches and Deneen are not eligible for merit raises during the 2004-05 and 2005-06 academic year. Mello said FIU's examination found that Strock was unaware of Smith's violations while they were ongoing and added that Strock's job is not in jeopardy.

 

Strock, who has coached the team since its inception in 2002, and other athletic department employees will not be permitted to comment on the matter, Mello said.

 

SOME WERE AWARE

 

Mello said some -- but not all -- of the assistants were aware Smith was breaking NCAA rules, but declined to be more specific.

 

FIU's most well-known assistant coaches include former UM players Leon Searcy and Bernard Clark and former Dolphins Tony Nathan and Bruce Hardy.

 

? Strock was not permitted to take off-campus recruiting trips this past season but will be next season. Asked why Strock was penalized even though he had no part in the violations, Mello said, ``As I am ultimately responsible for what happens to the program, he is directly responsible for what happens to the program.''

 

? Mello -- who came to FIU from Arkansas Little-Rock in 2000 -- sliced six months off his contract, which now expires Feb. 8, 2007, instead of Aug. 8, 2007.

 

? Mello, all the football coaches and Deneen will receive an official letter of reprimand from FIU president Mitch Maidique.

 

? Over a three-year period beginning last season, FIU will practice 171 fewer hours than the NCAA permits. The team eliminated 65 hours this past academic year, including some hours of spring practice.

 

? FIU hired an administrative assistant dedicated solely to academic compliance and assistant athletic director for student-athlete development. Mello also increased the frequency of compliance meetings and began video-taping them for review.

 

? FIU fired Smith two days after learning of the violations last summer but did not replace him on the coaching staff last season. Searcy, who had been hired as an assistant offensive line coach before Smith's dismissal, will be promoted July 1 to Smith's former position.

 

 

its amazing how quickly they drew the NCAA's attention.

No big deal, we did what we have to do and will not face any major sanctions, the coach who organized the practices has been fired.

What is it about South Florida college football and cheating.

 

*waits to be ambushed for stating fact*

Woo step 1 of getting on par with UM

damn.

 

that didnt take long.