Possible. Why cheat when you're not very good? If you don't have a shot at a national/ conference title, it seems like a stupid risk to take.
All but two teams in the Southwest Conference were on NCAA probation at the same time for football violations. Only 2 or 3 or them were any kind of contender.
Currently the NCAA has 33 schools in all Divisions on probation in a variety of sports. Only USC, FSU, and Alabama are football contenders. Division II University of the District of Columbia is on NCAA probation in ALL SPORTS.
National Collegiate Athletic Association - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Coaches get compensated for Wins, even if that win is New Mexico (on probation) beating New Mexico St. Coaches are looking for an edge. Some coach somewhere is competing with another coach to sign the 300 or 700 ranked recruit.
Coaches are looking for an edge to make it happen. RichRod wasn't the first (or last ) coach to exceed practice hours nor Kiffin the first (or last) to contact a recruit outside the rules.
In some cases it may simply be risk assessment of the rewards versus the prospects of being caught AND the severity of being caught. In other cases "smart" or "brazen" people like Tressel (and Anthony Weiner, Gary Hart, et al) who figure they can get away with it or "manage the fallout".
Neuheisel has a probation history and still gets hired. Pat Dye, Head Coach and AD, had to be separated from Auburn sports as part of the Ramsey Scandal Probation. So as soon as Dye resigned (to prevent being fired) the Auburn President hired Dye as Special Assistant To The President.
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