KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The NCAA has extended Tennessee’s probation for two years as part of penalties handed down Friday following the ruling that former football assistant coach Willie Mack Garza provided impermissible travel and lodging to a prospect.
Penalties include a reduction in official visits, evaluation days and complimentary tickets for recruits. Tennessee’s probation runs through Aug. 23, 2015.
Garza, who worked on former coach Lane Kiffin’s staff, received a three-year show-cause order. Any school hiring him must prove to the NCAA that it is rules compliant.
The NCAA ruled Garza reimbursed talent scout Will Lyles for plane tickets and hotel expenses associated with an unofficial visit Lache Seastrunk made in 2009. The visit occurred outside the permissible time period for expense-paid visits.
Seastrunk eventually signed with Oregon and now plays for Baylor.
