Irish on Probation, Faces Recruiting Limits for Violations

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Notre Dame’s football program is on NCAA probation until next January.

Head coach Brian Kelly also was found to have had impermissible off-campus contact with a prospect when he had his picture taken with the prospect at his high school.

The NCAA described the former assistant’s violations as Level II, which are considered significant but not the most egregious in the four-level penalty structure. Kelly’s violation was characterized as Level III.

Official recruiting visits will be reduced from 56 to 55 this year and there will be cuts in the number of days prospects can make unofficial campus visits.

Probation started Thursday, and the school also will pay a $5,000 fine.