The NCAA is set to adopt new legislation that will make head coaches in football and basketball directly responsible when members of their staffs commit rules violations, USA Today reported Thursday.
According to a nine-page document obtained by USA Today, the NCAA will unveil a four-tier penalty structure for head coaches, the most serious of which could result in a season-long suspension.
The new legislation, which will replace secondary and major violations, is expected to be passed Tuesday by the Division I board of directors, USA Today reported.
"A head coach is presumed responsible for major/Level I and Level II violations (e.g. academic fraud, recruiting inducements) occurring within his or her program unless the coach can show that he or she promoted an atmosphere of compliance and monitored his or her staff," the document stated.
According to the document, after Aug. 1, 2013, the NCAA's committee of infractions can suspend a head coach who violates the new bylaw for an entire season for Level I infractions and a half-season for Level II violations.
"The number of contests that a head coach would be suspended from will depend on the severity of the violation(s) committed by his/her staff or the coach himself/ herself," the document stated.
In the document, the NCAA is advising coaches to "demonstrate and document a commitment to compliance through ongoing communication with his or her athletics director, compliance staff and coaching staff." It also outlined a procedure head coaches can use to manage that dialogue.
