Former UCF athletic director Keith Tribble was key figure in NCAA transgressions
It was a dark day for the Knights, but UCF got what it deserved from the NCAA on Tuesday.
The four words no university athletic department wants to hear:
“Lack of Institutional Control.”
The NCAA Committee on Infrations slammed UCF with a five-year probation, including a one-year postseason ban in football and men’s basketball for major recruiting violations. The postseason ban essentially ruins what was supposed to be a promising season for both programs.
Don’t kid yourself, this was not a slap on the wrist; it was a kick in the teeth.
UCF, one of the football favorites in Conference USA, is not allowed to go to the league championship game or a bowl game. The basketball program, also one of the preseason favorites in the league, is now forbidden from competing in the C-USA Tournament and then potentially the NCAA Tournament.
The penalties are harsh — as they should be. When the athletic director of the school — former AD Keith Tribble — is one of the main culprits who violated rules, the NCAA had no choice but to hit UCF with a “lack of institutional control.” It was Tribble whom the NCAA says allowed the central figure in the investigation — Kenneth Caldwell — to “attach himself” to UCF. Caldwell is the convicted felon and alleged “runner” for a sports agent who was apparently steering football and basketball recruits to UCF. Tribble was also accused of misleading NCAA officials during the investigative process.
The excuse Tribble’s attorney gave the NCAA was flimsy as well.
“Until this case, Tribble had a very superficial and somewhat misinformed understanding of NCAA recruiting legislation,” the attorney wrote in response to the NCAA allegations.
Translation: The athletic director of the school — the man who is supposed to enforce the rules — broke the rules because he didn’t actually know what the rules were.
In other words, Tribble was either corrupt or inept.
Either way, UCF got what it deserved.
