Let’s face it, football coaches are some of the smartest minds out there, but they’re not always above bending the rules (or violating them completely) to win. Here’s a look at 10 football coaches who were caught cheating.
Jim Tressel
Former Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel resigned after it was revealed he knew players were trading memorabilia for tattoos and failed to report it to the NCAA. The scandal not only led to a vacated 2010 season but also sanctions against Ohio State.
Pete Carroll
Pete Carroll’s USC program came under fire when it was discovered that star player Reggie Bush received improper benefits. USC was forced to vacate its 2004 national title and Carroll left for the NFL shortly before sanctions hit.
Barry Switzer
Former Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer faced violations including improper benefits to players and a lack of institutional control. The investigation caused Switzer to resign in 1989.
Hugh Freeze
Hugh Freeze resigned from Ole Miss after an NCAA investigation uncovered recruiting violations, as well as a personal scandal involving inappropriate calls on a university-issued phone.
Chip Kelly
Oregon head coach Chip Kelly’s program was hit with NCAA sanctions after it was revealed Oregon paid a recruiting service for improper scouting reports. Kelly left for the NFL before the punishment was handed down.
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Bill Belichick
Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots were caught videotaping opposing teams’ defensive signals, which was a clear violation of NFL rules. This earned Belichick a $500,000 fine, the Patriots a $250,000 fine, and a loss of a first-round draft pick.
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Hal Mumme
Hal Mumme’s tenure at Kentucky ended in scandal when the NCAA uncovered multiple recruiting violations, resulting in probation for the program.
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George O’Leary
George O’Leary resigned just days after being hired at Notre Dame when it was discovered he falsified academic achievements on his resume. This was a bad look for both O’Leary and Notre Dame.
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John Blake
Back in 2010, John Blake was accused of acting as a middleman between players and sports agents. This then led to NCAA sanctions against North Carolina’s football program.
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Sean Payton
The New Orleans Saints’ coaching staff, led by Sean Payton, was found to have implemented a bounty system that rewarded players for injuring opponents. As punishment, Payton was suspended for the entire 2012 NFL season.
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