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ECU assistant resigns over possible NCAA violations

Tue 27th, July 2010

Greenville, NC (Sports Network) - East Carolina assistant football coach Mark Nelson announced his resignation Tuesday after possible NCAA violations were uncovered regarding the illegal observation of voluntary summer workouts.

Nelson served as the Pirates' defensive ends coach and special teams coordinator.

A statement issued by the school said Nelson and first-year head coach Ruffin McNeill agreed to Nelson's decision.

"I notified Coach McNeill late this afternoon that our compliance office had been investigating concerns about violations of NCAA rules involving out-of- season practice - specifically a coach evaluating players during normal summer activities that were supposed to be strictly voluntary," ECU athletics director Terry Holland said. "When a coach observes these normal activities, the NCAA considers the activities to be non-sanctioned out-of-season practice.

"Coach McNeill called the coach in and they discussed these possible violations. That coach, Mark Nelson, admitted to violations which are likely to be secondary violations when a formal report is filed with the NCAA. Coach Nelson and Coach McNeill agreed that these violations would be a distraction to the team at this critical time of the year and Coach Nelson offered to step down from his position. His offer to step down was accepted by Coach McNeill pending negotiation of a severance agreement with the athletic administration and the university."

Nelson also served as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League during the 2009 season.

"This is certainly an unfortunate development, but integrity will be the foundation of our program," McNeill said. "We are going to comply with the spirit and letter of NCAA rules at East Carolina. I expect my players to do the right thing, and as leaders, and I demand my coaches to do the same. As head football coach, failure to comply with NCAA rules will not be tolerated."