Rutgers University is investigating head football coach Kyle Flood for having impermissible contact with a school faculty member regarding the status of a player on the team.
According to Keith Sargeant of NJ Advance Media, citing two sources, Flood could be facing a fine or a suspension for the incident:
The university's office of general counsel is investigating the severity of the alleged violation, which, the sources said, is focused on an email Flood allegedly sent from a personal account to a faculty member at the university's Mason Gross School of Arts regarding the status of Nadir Barnwell. The junior cornerback is reportedly in danger of being deemed academically ineligible.
Sargeant noted that if Flood is found to not be in compliance with school rules by trying to provide illegal benefits to a student-athlete, the discipline can range from a public reprimand to his contract being terminated.
The report does note it's unclear if Flood is in violation of an NCAA or a Big Ten rule for having contact with a player's professor, though a Rutgers official added "the university's athletics compliance department prohibits coaches from communicating with instructors..."
Flood released a statement on the report, per Dan Duggan of NJ.com:
"Let me start by saying I'm disappointed at the tone of the article that (associate athletic director for media relations) Hasim (Phillips) showed me this morning," Flood said. "I've been the head coach now, this is going into my fourth season, and I've had a lot of interaction with the teachers on our campus. I think that that article not only insults my integrity, but insults the integrity of our faculty. I've come to realize that our faculty here at Rutgers is beyond reproach and I have a tremendous amount of respect for them."
[...]
"Our faculty are part of our program," Flood said. "Just as recently as the other day, we had two faculty members at our practice. Now, any correspondence that I had with a professor in regard to a student-athlete would really be of this nature: One, to be in support of whatever decision that faculty member made, and two, to inquire as to whether or not there would be an opportunity to earn a better grade. Now, this practice is not unusual at Rutgers. Many students all over campus receive what are called 'T grades' (temporary grades) doing work outside of when the class ends that semester to earn a better grade."
Nadir Barnwell's status has been uncertain, as the junior told Sargeant on August 16 he couldn't discuss his eligibility: "Right now I really can't comment on that. Right now I'm just focusing on myself, just getting my body right to be honest with you, taking it day-by-day just trying to win every day.''
Barnwell has appeared in 17 games over the past two seasons, recording 64 total tackles and seven passes defended.
Flood took over as head football coach at Rutgers in 2012 after Greg Schiano moved to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has kept the program at a steady level in his three seasons, winning at least eight games two times and playing in three bowl games.
Rutgers will open the 2015 season on September 5 with a home game against Norfolk State.
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