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Baylor assistant suspended for being on sidelines of OU game

Posted at 10:59 PM, Sep 23, 2015
and last updated 2015-09-23 23:59:07-04

Baylor assistant football coach Jeff Lebby has been suspended for the first half of the Bears game against the Oklahoma Sooners on Nov. 14 for violating NCAA rules.

Lebby, Baylor's passing game coordinator and running backs coach, was spotted on the sidelines of the game in Norman, OK on Sept. 19.

Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby issued a public reprimand of Lebby and issued the following statement:

“The opportunity for Coach Lebby to scout a future opponent by being on the sideline of a conference member’s opponent is inconsistent with the principles and expectations of the Big 12 Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct Policy,” stated Bowlsby. “I appreciate the action of Baylor athletics director Ian McCaw in addressing this matter and accept the University’s self-imposed penalty.”

Lebby violated NCAA rule 11.6.1 which states, "Off-campus, in-person scouting of future opponents (in the same season) is prohibited, except as provided in Bylaw 11.6.1.1", which states "An institution's coaching staff may scout future opponents also participating in the same tournament at the same site, or, the same double-header event at the same site."

Lebby, an Oklahoma graduate, was attending a friends wedding according to Baylor Head Coach Art Briles, and was visiting with former teammates as well as former Baylor offensive coordinator and current Tulsa Head Coach Philip Montgomery.

Montgomery issued the credentials for Lebby and his wife to attend the game, and has since released a statement apologizing.

Briles called it an "embarrassment" on Monday and both he and Montgomery said they called Oklahoma Head Coach Bob Stoops to apologize.

Lebby, Briles son-in-law, is the third Baylor assistant coach to be suspended this season along with Offensive Coordinator Kendal Briles and Wide Receivers coach Tate Wallis, both suspended against Lamar on Sept. 12 for recruiting violations.