The NCAA has announced penalties for LSU and a former assistant coach who committed recruiting violations.

James Cregg, the former LSU offensive line coach who was fired in June 2021, violated NCAA recruiting dead period rules in 2020 by having close contact with a prospect and his family, providing impermissible benefits.

The NCAA’s announcement is widely seen as good news for LSU. The program’s self-imposed penalties have been accepted, with the NCAA tacking on 1 year of probation for LSU. The $5,000 fine self-imposed by LSU certainly pales in comparison to Cregg’s salary, which may not need to be paid as the Level II violation could qualify as cause for termination.

Cregg, who filed a suit last year over his firing, now has a 3-year show cause.

Here are the NCAA’s announced measures against both parties:

  • One year of probation.
  • A $5,000 fine (self-imposed).
  • A limit of official visits for football to 55 during the 2022-23 academic year (self-imposed).
  • A one-week prohibition against unofficial visits in the football program prior to the beginning of the 2022-23 academic year (self-imposed).
  • A one-week prohibition against recruiting communications in the football program prior to the start of the 2022-23 academic year (self-imposed).
  • A reduction of seven evaluation days in the football program during the fall 2021 evaluation period (self-imposed).
  • A three-year show-cause order for the former assistant coach. During that period, any NCAA member school employing him must restrict him from any off-campus recruiting activities unless it shows cause why the restrictions should not apply.

The Division I Committee on Infractions panel released a statement on its decision:

“Although the [committee] has encountered more egregious conduct in past cases, the violations in this case represent intentional misconduct that should be of concern to the membership,” the panel said in its decision. “The COVID-19 recruiting dead period was intended to protect the health and safety of prospects, student-athletes and institutional staff. It also leveled the playing field for recruiting at a time when government-imposed COVID-19 restrictions varied across the country.”

The LSU NCAA case involving former basketball coach Will Wade’s program is a separate matter.