NCAA Mandates One Year Bowl Ban Against UCF Football

The NCAA issued its ruling against the University of Central Florida men’s basketball and football programs on Tuesday morning, citing investigation proved a lack of institutional control.

Per the official NCAA release:

"The case centered on what the committee noted was an ever-increasing problem in college athletics today, namely the involvement of outside third parties with prospects and student-athletes. This impermissible activity also resulted in findings of unethical conduct for the former director of athletics and a former assistant football coach and a failure to monitor by the head men’s basketball coach."

The football coach referred is former assistant and wide receivers David Kelly, who resigned in November. Head coach George O’Leary was not found to be involved in any improprieties, the Associated Press reported last fall.

Still, this is the latest volume in a trying period for O’Leary’s program. The Golden Knights finished 5-7 in 2011, coming off a program best season in 2010 that included a top 25 finish and Liberty Bowl defeat of Georgia. More significantly was the wrongful death lawsuit filed against the university in response to Ereck Plancher’s tragic passing during workouts in 2008.

The 2012 Golden Knights had the look, on paper, of a team capable of bringing some positive back to the program. With Missouri transfer Tyler Gabbert set to run the offense, UCF was an en vogue choice to win the Conference USA title. Phil Steele went so far as to project the Golden Knights as a BCS busting dark horse.

In addition to the bowl ban, UCF faces a three-year reduction of scholarships. Kelly’s resignation was already a detriment to the program’s recruiter, but this compounds the challenges UCF will face as it transitions to the Big East.