Rutgers University head football coach Kyle Flood is reportedly being investigated for potential NCAA rules violations involving "impermissible contact" between Flood and a member of the Rutgers faculty concerning the status of one of Flood's players, according to Keith Sargeant of NJ.com. Flood could be facing either a suspension or potentially even firing for his alleged actions.
"If Flood is found to have failed to promote an atmosphere of compliance by attempting to provide an impermissible benefit to a student-athlete in his program, possible discipline includes a public reprimand, suspension or termination from his contract, a top athletics official familiar with the situation told NJ Advance Media," Sargeant wrote.
Rutgers' office of general counsel is investigating the severity of the alleged violation which, per Sargeant's sources, involve an email Flood sent from a personal account to a faculty member regarding the status of junior cornerback Nadir Barnwell. Barnwell is expected to be one of the leaders of the Scarlet Knights football team this season, but his status remains in question due to possible academic ineligibility, according to a separate report from Sargeant.
"Regardless of the situation, he'll be able to practice,'' Flood said of Barnwell in late June, via NJ.com. Flood allowed Barnwell to continue practicing with the team despite saying that "we won't really know until the end of the summer school" what the defensive back's status would be.
Now, it seems that Flood has gotten himself into hot water by perhaps being overzealous in his efforts to see Barnwell ruled eligible for the season. The current investigation is expected to be "concluded quickly," according to Sargeant's sources.
Flood is set to enter the fourth year of his tenure as head coach at Rutgers. The team's first game is Sept. 5 against Norfolk State.
Per the terms of his contract, Flood can be terminated for "willful misconduct, act(s) of moral turpitude, conduct tending to bring shame or disgrace to the University as determined by'' university officials, or in "violation of university regulations, policies (or) procedures.''
A source close to the investigation made clear to Sargeant that the investigation is focusing not only on the email, but also the intent if Flood is found to have contacted Barnwell's professor.
