The embattled Alabama State athletic program is currently being investigated by the NCAA, including allegations that first-year head football coach Brian Jenkins violated practice restrictions placed on the school because of academic progress rate score sanctions, the Montgomery Advertiser reported.
Boyd also said the school was copied on a notice from the NCAA stating it was investigating numerous rules violations alleged by former coaches and players at Bethune-Cookman University during Jenkins’ tenure at the Daytona Beach, Florida, college.
Additionally, according to the source, Hines revealed Wednesday morning that two more programs – ASU’s baseball and softball teams – were under investigations that have stretched on for at least two years.
According to the Advertiser, news of the investigation was part of a deposition related to the wrongful termination lawsuit filed against Alabama State by former head coach Reggie Barlow.
Barlow was terminated after eight seasons as head coach.
ASU president Gwendolyn Boyd and athletic director Melvin Hines, who were questioned during a hearing, were notified of the NCAA probe into the program, the newspaper reported.
In late April, two anonymous messages were sent to an Advertiser reporter by people claiming to be parents of current ASU players and stating that the NCAA had contacted players about possible violations of practice restrictions. ASU was prevented from holding spring drills due to poor APR scores.
Jenkins had been a target of an investigation while at Bethune-Cookman after accusations surfaced that he threatened players, that athletes received improper benefits, improper housing and that he violated NCAA practice rules.
Jenkins was hired by the school last December.
