A&M, Fisher given penalties by NCAA

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Texas A&M’s football program was placed on probation and Coach Jimbo Fisher given a six-month show cause order by the NCAA on Thursday after the Aggies were found to have violated recruiting and other rules beginning in January 2018.

Fisher, who had just been hired by Texas A&M, and an assistant coach had impermissible contact with a recruit, the NCAA said without identifying the coaches by name. The assistant, Jay Graham, is now a member of Jeremy Pruitt’s staff at Tennessee.

“While I am disappointed in the violations, including an unintended one that resulted from a conversation with a high school athlete, it is still my responsibility to ensure we are adhering to each and every rule,” Fisher said in a statement issued by the school. “I am pleased to have this matter completely behind our program and look forward to continuing our efforts to make every aspect of our program one all Aggies can continue to be proud of.”

Fisher is 17-9 with bowl victories in each of his first two seasons in College Station, Texas. Texas A&M signed Fisher to a 10-year, $75 million contract after he won a national title and three Atlantic Coast Conference championships in eight seasons at Florida State.

The negotiated resolution with the NCAA came after it found Fisher “failed to promote an atmosphere of compliance.” As part of his punishments, Fisher was banned from phone calls, emails and texts with prospects for nine days in January.

The program itself was fined $5,000 and given several other recruiting restrictions after the NCAA found that several players exceeded activity limits on multiple occasions during the 2018 offseason. Among the restrictions are a reduction of official visits by 17 days during the current academic year; a seven-day off-campus recruiting ban during this past spring’s recruiting period; and a 10-day ban for off-campus recruiting for the entire staff during this fall’s recruiting period.

Graham was also given a six-month show cause order by the NCAA.

“During the process of hiring coach Jay Graham, we were made aware of the circumstances at his previous institution, and we vetted it thoroughly in accordance with NCAA and SEC bylaws,” Tennessee’s athletic department said in a statement Thursday. “We established and maintain extremely high confidence in Coach Graham’s commitment to compliance and are proud to have him on our staff.”

The case was heard by a panel that included chief hearing officer Alberto Gonzales, Minnesota Athletic Director Joel Maturi and former Northern Illinois football coach Joseph D. Novak. They said circumstances resulting from the covid-19 pandemic could impact how the remaining recruiting restrictions are implemented.

“Since I arrived at Texas A&M, I have seen up close and personal Coach Fisher’s commitment to integrity and following the rules. I appreciate his response, including actions taken during the process itself,” Texas A&M Athletic Director Ross Bjork said in a statement. “This will have no impact on our current or future student-athletes, the 2020 postseason, or our pursuit of championship success on and off the field.”

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