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  • Jay Norvell, Oklahoma co-offensive coordinator, answers a question during a news confeence in Norman, Okla., Monday, Sept. 10, 2012. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) Associated Press

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December 20, 2012

Blog: College sports recruiting beyond real regulation

Aaron Colen, Sports Editor, Aaron.Colen@chickashanews.com The Express-Star

— A report was released today by the Associated Press stated that Oklahoma co-offensive coordinator and wide receiver coach Jay Norvell was almost suspended one game for Twitter messages he sent to high school players in February.

Norvell committed recruiting violations by sending nine messages to high school juniors, which were determined to be written offers of financial aid before the permissible date.

Norvell reportedly intended to send the messages as private direct messages, but unintentionally posted them as public messages. He self-reported the violation immediately.

He wasn't suspended, and I don't think it was a big deal. But, it gets old seeing things like this make the news, as if thousands of private messages aren't being sent by coaches to recruits all the time.

I understand that recruiting rules have to be in place. But honestly, they are impossible to enforce and extremely easy to get around in most cases.

The NCAA understands the losing battle it is fighting. Years back, former OU basketball coach Kelvin Sampson was fired and OU hit with sanctions for text messages he sent to recruits.

Now, the violation that got Sampson banned from the NCAA for five years is legal. Recruiting is basically a free-for-all, and while the rules have to stay in place to maintain some level of integrity and to protect the young recruits, it's clear the process is corrupted beyond control.

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