In a summer awash in scandal for some of college football’s elite programs, the Terrapin football team again found itself unable to avoid NCAA sanctions for past transgressions.
The athletics department self-reported violations for exceeding practice time during the 2010 season under former coach Ralph Friedgen. As a result of practicing for an extra one hour, 15 minutes per week during the team’s 9-4 campaign, the Terps will lose two hours, 30 minutes of practice time per week in 2011.
“We’re disappointed that this happened,” coach Randy Edsall said in a release. “It’s important to me that we always abide by the rules and regulations set forth by the NCAA. We have put a plan in place to deal with this situation.”
After the violations were uncovered, the athletics department submitted a letter to the NCAA, which accepted the recommended penalties.
The loss of practice time comes after subpar academic performance under Friedgen had also cost the team three scholarships this season. The sanctions could have substantial impacts for a team trying to install new offensive and defensive schemes under Edsall, who was hired in January.
Additionally, interns will be limited from observing and participating in on-field activities during preseason practice in August. Graduate assistants will be barred from the first 16 practices of the year due to other secondary violations. All players, coaches and football staff will also be required to attend rules-education sessions.
“I’m glad we can now begin to put this behind us,” Edsall said. “We’re looking forward to August 9 when we get on the field for the first day of preseason practice.”
dgallen@umdbk.com
