Institution: California State University, Northridge

Date: December 16, 2022

Violation Summary: The California State University, Northridge, men’s basketball program violated recruiting rules when the former head coach and two former assistant coaches had impermissible on- and off-campus contacts with prospects during the COVID-19 recruiting dead period and provided those prospects with impermissible recruiting inducements. Around the same time, a former assistant coach violated tampering rules by communicating with a student-athlete from another school. As a result of his personal involvement in the violations and his failure to monitor his staff, the former head coach violated head coach responsibility rules. In March 2020, the NCAA Division I Council adopted emergency rules establishing a temporary recruiting dead period intended to protect the health and safety of prospects, student-athletes and university staff amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The dead period prevented in-person recruiting contacts, including official and unofficial visits.

Penalty Summary: Three years of probation; $5,000 fine, plus 1% of the men’s basketball program budget; a prohibition against unofficial visits in men’s basketball for one week during the 2022-23 academic year (self-imposed); a prohibition against recruiting communication in men’s basketball for one week during the 2022-23 academic year (self-imposed); a three-year show-cause order for the former head coach, plus a suspension from 40% of the first season after the conclusion of his show-cause order should he be hired by another NCAA school; and a two-year show-cause orders for both assistant coaches.

Involved Sports:
Men's Basketball

Case Level:

Involved Penalties:

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