UCF files response to recruiting allegations, imposes more sanctions

UCF has filed its official response to NCAA allegations and announced their plan of further self-imposed sanctions.

These self-imposed sanctions will include the reduction of one men's basketball scholarship for the next two years, numerous other sanctions and restrictions upon men's basketball and football recruiting practices and the vacation of all men's basketball wins from the 2008-2009 season through the 2010-2011 season.

The school also noted the sanctions it has already imposed upon itself; including the resignations of former athletic director Keith Tribble and former football assistant coach David Kelly, in addition to the suspensions of men's basketball coach Donnie Jones and assistant men's basketball coach Darren Tillis.

UCF has issued letters for reprimand to both coaches and football head coach George O'Leary, in addition to other penalties, and an overhaul of the how the athletics department handles and ensures compliance.

UCF also noted it has sent letters of disassociation to both Ken Caldwell and Brandon Bender, the two men at the center of the gross recruiting violations that were alleged and who were believed to act as runners on behalf of the school.

The response summarizes UCF's findings pertaining to the allegations of the NCAA. While the university has levied some very significant restrictions and sanctions upon itself, many of which will make recruiting a much more tedious and difficult process for coaches of both the football and basketball program going forward, it did stop short of self imposing a postseason ban.

The university concluded the response by urging the NCAA to deem UCF's self imposed sanctions and actions as adequate, saying "The University believes, and urges the Committee to conclude, that its corrective measures and self-imposed punitive actions should be recognized and accepted as appropriate and sufficient."

UCF is schedule to appear in front of the NCAA's Committee on Infractions in April, and Jones, Tribble and Kelly are all expected to be represented at the hearing by personal attorneys, where they will likely dispute the allegations.

After the Committee questions UCF it will then decide on whether the university has done enough or whether more infractions are in order.