Billy Gillispie reprimanded for practice-time violations
BY BETSY BLANEY Associated Press
Thursday, September 06, 2012
9/06/12 at 4:38 AM
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech on Wednesday disclosed that it had reprimanded men's basketball coach Billy Gillispie earlier this year after learning he was exceeding NCAA practice-time limits.
Red Raiders athletic director Kirby Hocutt said the school reported the secondary violations to the NCAA and the governing body approved the penalty that Texas Tech had decided upon. The letter of reprimand came in January and included language that there would be "no tolerance for disregard of rules," Hocutt told The Associated Press after speaking to members of the local media.
The school is now investigating allegations that Gillispie mistreated players, Hocutt said.
Gillispie, 52, has been hospitalized since Friday and did not respond to a text message seeking comment Wednesday.
"If these allegations are proven to be true then I will be extremely upset and disappointed and will handle accordingly," Hocutt said. He declined to say whether that could include Gillispie being fired.
"I'm very troubled by the information I've heard," he said.
Reports about a meeting with the players and Hocutt were first reported by ESPN.
CBSsports.com reported that Gillispie made players practice long hours, which led to injuries.
"It was pretty bad," Jaron Nash, who transferred to North Dakota after last season, told CBSsports.com. "A lot of guys were really hurt after it. One guy had a stress fracture in both legs."
The NCAA allows 20 hours of practice per week.
Original Print Headline: Gillispie reprimanded for practice-time violations
