Recruiting violations cost Reedley College football

REEDLEY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Alleged recruiting violations will cost the Reedley College football program.

Reedley College president Sandra Caldwell says she took action when she suspected some football players were improperly working for the school.

"I have very high standards for this institution and when I had this concern, I conducted an external investigation that in fact confirmed my suspicions," Caldwell said.

The college president tells Action News that most of the jobs the football players had centered around athletic events, cleaning up and selling tickets. But because they were apparently given preferential treatment over other students the coach broke the rules.

"I would say student athletes were given, allowed opportunities positions other students were not," Caldwell said.

Giving any preferential treatment to community college athletes is against the rules and Caldwell forwarded her concerns and the result of her investigation to the California Community College Athletic Association.

They decided the football team would be placed on two years probation and denied postseason play.

As a result, head coach of the Reedley Tigers Randy Whited announced his retirement. He'd been with the school 26 years, with the last 8 as head football coach.

Action News was not able to reach him for a comment.

Caldwell says while student-athletes can work, the jobs must be available to all students who qualify for that type of financial aid.

"So, of course, I am not pleased with this, however, I know that moving forward we will have a very healthy football program and I am looking forward to that," Caldwell said.

Caldwell says the search for a new football coach is underway.