LSU Gets One-Year Suspension, Not Banned From Bowls

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)–The NCAA says LSU committed major violations in its football program while recruiting a junior college player and cited a former assistant coach for unethical conduct. The probe found that ex-assistant coach D.J. McCarthy improperly arranged for transportation and housing for former defensive lineman Akiem Hicks, then later tried to cover up those actions. In a ruling issued Tuesday, the NCAA publicly reprimanded LSU and placed it on probation for one year. The NCAA also accepted LSU’s self-imposed reduction of two scholarships, as well as reductions in official visits and recruiting calls. McCarthy resigned in December 2009. Hicks never played for the Tigers before he left LSU.