NORMAN, Okla. — Oklahoma had about one quarter of its recruiting days this season taken away by the NCAA on Friday as punishment for committing major violations while the men’s basketball program already was on probation.
The NCAA Division I infractions committee reduced the Sooners’ recruiting days from 130 to 100 and also put Oklahoma on probation for three years, vacated all 13 wins from the 2009-10 season, took away one scholarship and eliminated two of the school’s 12 allowed official visits this year. Former assistant coach Oronde Taliaferro, who resigned during the investigation, also was prohibited from recruiting for two years.
However, the Sooners were not labeled a “repeat violator,” avoiding the possibility of more severe penalties.
“Importantly, this case did not involve any inappropriate action by the university or its staff, other than the cited assistant coach,” the university said in a statement.
Oklahoma had proposed a reduction of only 10 recruiting days and two years of probation instead of three. The NCAA also tacked on a $15,000 fine — $500 for each of the 30 games the player, Keith “Tiny” Gallon, played while ineligible.
