Former Fordham coach relieved ‘aggressive' NCAA probe finally over
But the former Fordham coach couldn't help but feel frustrated over the 'aggressive' nature in which the NCAA looked into the matter, especially in the current climate of college athletics and considering the relatively small scale by which the Rams basketball program broke the rules.
'It's a sigh of relief for my family and I. It's been something that's been hovering over us for almost three years now,' Urgo told The Post in a phone interview. 'It's been a dark cloud over my family, our program, and just finally closing it and just being able to move on, I think seemed incredibly important for me and my career. Just excited to kind of put it past us.'
In a release Tuesday, the NCAA said that it found Urgo had 'violated ethical conduct rules' and 'head coach responsibility rules' related to a photo shoot in Times Square for prospective recruits and spending $10,736 total on entertainment expenses during eight player visits over two years.
The NCAA rules allow for programs to spend $75 a day on entertainment expenses during official visits.
Among those expenses were Jet Ski rentals, tickets to New York Knicks games, tickets to the U.S. Open Tennis Championships and suite tickets for a New York Giants game.
The overages ranged from as little as $35 to as much as $5,595.
Nevertheless, the transgressions never extended beyond that, and Urgo felt as the investigation — which began in 2021 as a result of the program self-reporting an issue — continued, it took on a more hostile tone.
Former Fordham coach Keith Urgo said he is relieved the NCAA probe into recruiting violation while he was the coach of the Rams is over.
AP
'They were treating me like I was some criminal, literally like I had broken some laws,' Urgo said. 'They were just trying to do whatever they could to pin a Level 1 violation on us and none of it made any sense. We were just all confused, including all the lawyers in the situation, confused as to why they were just being so aggressive and trying to do whatever they could to bury us.'
The lengthy investigation took its toll on Urgo and on the program, he said during the phone conversation, especially this past season, when the NCAA's investigation ramped up.
'I think in this last year, specifically, it was probably the most taxing,' he said. 'This past season was definitely very difficult, because it just seemed like two or three times a week for several months, we were dealing with [the investigation].
Former Fordham coach Keith Urgo
Robert Sabo / New York Post
The Rams finished 12-21 last season and 3-15 in the A-10, and the program opted to move on from Urgo after the season came to an end.
Urgo is still widely respected as a coach and beloved by his players — as seen by the reaction after his dismissal at Fordham — and he seemed positive he'll be back on a sideline soon enough.
And he's hoping that the full details being out about the investigation will help.
'That's why I was so excited when the report came out,' he said. 'Because for so long, people weren't even sure for so long what was going on. Now they can see some of the ridiculousness.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
American Press
16 minutes ago
- American Press
First line of attack: Area's best at run blocking, pass protection
Southwest Louisiana high school football teams had a big year offensively in 2024 with 11 teams scoring more than 30 points a game. And this season could be more of the same with several top linemen returning to push around opponents. Leading the group is 6-foot-4, 300-pound Sam Houston High School junior Albert Simien. He earned 3-5A all-district first team and American Press All-Southwest Louisiana Big School honors as a sophomore for a Broncos offense that averaged 35.1 points and 402.7 yards per game. He has bulked up since last season, gaining 25 pounds. 'He had an unbelievable offseason,' Sam Houston head coach Chad Davis said. 'He has gotten strong as an ox. He played at 275 pounds last year and is 300 now. He has gotten more technical in his run game and pass protection. His wingspan is unbelievable.' Other key offensive linemen to watch include Hadley Hardesty, Keilynn Tanner, Kohl Fulton, Myles Joseph, Tylon Jackson and Marques Brothers. Albert Simien Davis said Simien has offers from LSU, Texas A&M, Alabama, Nebraska, Florida and Michigan, as well as several other Division I schools. He is rated as a four-star prospect by 'It is his motor and physicality,' Davis said. 'He is already big and strong, but his smartness for the game is there. Once he does his job, he is looking for more jobs. That is what everyone likes about him. Once he takes care of his job as a lineman, he is looking for work down the field. 'As long as he shows up every day and sets the tone, everyone follows him. When you have the spotlight on you like that, there is no time to take off. He has done a great job.' Davis said Simien will play on both sides of the ball, but he is familiar with the defensive side. He earned second-team all-district honors as a freshman defensive lineman in 2023. Hadley Hardesty Hardesty, a 6-6, 265-pound senior, looks to protect 2,000-yard passer Brody Anderson for a third consecutive season. Westlake averaged nearly 400 yards a game in their run to the regional round last year. The Rams will be strong up front again with four returning linemen. The two-sport star helped lead the Rams to the Non-select Division III baseball semifinals in May as part of their pitching rotation. Keilynn Tanner Tanner is set to start on the line for the Gators for a fourth consecutive season and is one of 25 seniors looking to lead the team to their first playoff win since 2014. 'He is going to be a force to be reckoned with,' LaGrange head coach Idaibi Ogbanga said. 'Tanner is very serious. 'He got a lot stronger in the offseason. He is just one of those kids that you are blessed to have. He is aggressive and strong as an ox. He moves well. He moves like he is 250 pounds. He has some good footwork.' Kohl Fulton Fulton, a 6-3, 290-pound senior, will carry a heavy load as Iowa's lone returning offensive lineman and keep the program's recent success rolling. In the last three seasons, Iowa has advanced to the semifinals twice and the quarterfinals, compiling a 32-8 record. The three-year starter will be charged with protecting new starting quarterback, Lawston Broussard. Myles Joseph At 6-4, 320 pounds, Joseph can clear a big path for Lake Charles College Prep's high-powered offense that averaged more than 35 points a game last season. He has offers from Central Arkansas, Louisiana-Lafayette and Texas-San Antonio. After an anterior cruciate ligament injury in Week 1 against Westgate sidelined him for the rest of the season, Joseph looks to help anchor the line from left tackle that boasts four returning starters. 'He can play every position on the offensive line, and he is very smart,' LCCP head coach Erick Franklin Sr. said. Tylon Jackson Jackson is a two-way all-district first-team lineman at 5-11 and 265 pounds and is picking up the skills needed to handle Oakdale's move towards a spread offense quickly. The senior is one of four returning starters on the offensive line for the Warriors as they try to bounce back from a 3-8 season. 'He is just a hard-nosed kid that embraces being a lineman,' Oakdale head coach Kevin Bertrand said. 'He loves his job and is a hard worker. He is a leader.' Marques Brothers Brothers, a 6-3, 255-pound senior, will be the leader on Grand Lake's inexperienced offensive line as the lone returning full-time starter. He earned District 4-1A first-team honors last year. 'He is as talented as we have had,' Grand Lake head coach Jeff Wainwright said. 'Bryant (Williams) and Brett (King) have been my best two since I have been at Grand Lake. He has that kind of talent to take over a game, and we can run behind him.'
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Colin Cowherd doesn't think Rams will win NFC West
The Los Angeles Rams will defend their NFC West title for the first time since 2022. L.A. finished third and second in the two years following their Super Bowl win, but returned to the top of the division in 2024. But while the Rams kept most of their roster intact for 2025, the Herd's Colin Cowherd isn't too confident in L.A.'s ability to repeat as division champions. He picked the Seattle Seahawks to win the NFC West and put the Rams at No. 2. His biggest worries stem from the offensive line. Left tackle Alaric Jackson is still dealing with blood clots, while right tackle Rob Havenstein is 33 and could be playing his last NFL season. It doesn't help, either, that Matthew Stafford is still not practicing with a back injury. Cowherd still has the Rams making the playoffs as the No. 7 seed, but that doesn't inspire much confidence for a team that was a few plays away from the NFC Championship game a year ago and went toe-to-toe with the Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Schrager: Matthew Stafford would probably be practicing 'if it was up to him'
Peter Schrager gives the latest on what he's hearing about Matthew Stafford "The Rams are being ultra cautious and if it was up to Matthew Stafford he would probably be out aren't risking anything and he's gonna sit until they feel he's fully ready" ~ @PSchrags #PMSLive Matthew Stafford is one of the toughest players in the NFL, a reputation he earned long ago during his time with the Detroit Lions. He's battled through countless injuries before but his lingering back issue is not something he's taken the field with. That's probably not his decision, though. Peter Schrager of ESPN said on the 'Pat McAfee Show' Wednesday that if it were up to Stafford, he would probably be practicing right now. It's the Rams who are being extra careful with their star quarterback, ensuring he doesn't make his back worse before the regular season starts. 'There was an expectation that he was going to play Monday. Obviously, he doesn't,' Schrager said. 'The thing I'm hearing is this: They're being ultra, ultra, ultra cautious and that Matthew, if it was up to him, would probably be out there. But they are not risking anything. He's had some pain, they're just going to let him sit until he feels he's fully ready, until they feel he's fully ready.' Sean McVay has said several times that Stafford wants to be on the field as badly as anyone, and he indicated the veteran quarterback is frustrated by the fact that he isn't practicing right now. That's understandable, knowing how competitive and tough Stafford is. He probably feels he can deal with the pain he's currently experiencing in his back, but the Rams don't want to risk further injury – especially after his back didn't respond the way they hoped following Saturday's workout. Having missed the last three days of practice, the wait for Stafford's return continues for seemingly another week.
