HBCU Tuesdays! Discussion On ALA State Football & Coach Brian Jenkins Allegation

Brian Jenkins turned the Bethune-Cookman University football program into a winner, but off the field former players and coaches say the program was rife with rules violations and teetering on the edge of dysfunction because of the animosity between them and Jenkins, who is the new head coach at Alabama State University.

With one exception, they independently provided nearly identical details of rules violations and what they felt was Jenkins' mistreatment of players.

Allegations against Jenkins and his program include:

— Improper benefits provided to players;

— Improper housing arrangements;

— Continued and extensive violations of the NCAA weekly practice time limits;

— Failure to pay three assistant coaches that resulted in a federal lawsuit;

— And, bullying of staff and players with retaliation against those who spoke up.

Prior to Jenkins' departure in December from Bethune-Cookman, officials there had conducted an investigation into a number of allegations, and assistant athletic director Tony O'Neal, who wouldn't answer questions about the investigation, said, "Anything that needed to be reported (to the conference and NCAA) was reported."

"I talked with Coach Jenkins about those issues, and he was very up front with me about everything," Hines said. "My view on that is that it's all personnel matters from his previous workplace and this is a fresh start. (The trustees and I) have discussed those issues, and I made them aware of potentially what could be out there."