Rutgers head football coach, Kyle Flood has been fined $50,000 and suspended for the next 3 games for the Scarlet Knights for violating the institutional policy by contacting faculty about a player’s academic status.
Junior Scarlet Knights, Nadir Barnwell had allegedly been struggling in the classroom and was in great danger of becoming academically ineligible since May for the upcoming season, he majors in criminal justice.
Rutgers forbids any contact between coach and faculty members or instructional staff regarding student-athletes.
The investigation concluded that Flood potentially violated the university’s code of ethics but did not violate the university’s academic integrity policy.
According to ESPN, In a statement to the investigator, Flood said “I want to apologize for the mistake I made in process, in contacting that teacher. I understand now that it was against the rule that I was unaware of at the time. I have the utmost respect for the faculty at Rutgers.”
Flood then released a separate statement Wednesday afternoon
“I take full responsibility and accept the consequences of my actions,” Flood said. “I care deeply about my student-athlete’s academic performance. As the head coach, when I recruit players, my responsibility to them and their families is to do all I can to make sure they leave Rutgers with a degree and are prepared for a successful life off the football field.”
It has been a rough start for the Rutgers football program.
Recently, leading wide receiver Leonte Carroo was charged with assault in a alleged domestic violence incident following Saturdays loss to the University of Washington.
Carroo has been suspended indefinitely by the Rutgers program. Coach Flood has already dismissed five players from the team for various legal issues.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie also weighed in on this situation.
“I certainly have a lot more important things to do than worry about what wide receiver was suspended for a few games recently. Being governor of New Jersey and running for president is a little more important than that.”
Coach Flood will be absent for Rutgers start of their Big Ten schedule starting on the road at Penn State followed by a couple home games against Kansas University and AP’s fourth ranked Michigan State Spartans.
Rutgers will have its work cut out for them for conference play with their quarterback Chris Laviano loosing his most prolific target for the season on top of loosing their coach for a few games.
