Aug. 15, 2004
SportsLine.com wire reports

THIBODAUX, La. -- Nicholls State football coach Daryl Daye was fired Sunday over accusations of academic fraud involving players and an assistant coach.

Daye was not implicated in the alleged fraud, but an investigation found he failed to "maintain proper controls" of the assistant, the Southland Conference school said.

"The assistant coach who committed the fraud and the head coach who personally selected the assistant coach ... must be accountable in this situation," athletic director Rob Bernardi said.

The assistant also will be fired but his name was not immediately released because he had not been notified, university spokesman Michael Delaune said.

A message left at Daye's home was not immediately returned.

The investigation found questions involving the assistant's involvement in players' attempts to transfer summer credits from other institutions, Delaune said. He added the investigation is continuing.

Daye had a 19-36 record in five seasons at Nicholls of Division I-AA. The Colonels finished 5-6 in 2003, third in their conference.



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