The NCAA announced sanctions against the University of North Dakota’s football program after confirming a series of recruiting violations that originated from an assistant coach’s improper contact with a prospective student‑athlete.
The investigation revealed that assistant coach Travis Stepps engaged in impermissible recruiting conversations with a recruit who was not enrolled in the Transfer Portal, a breach that the school discovered when he forwarded the athlete’s transcript to the compliance office.
North Dakota promptly self‑reported the misconduct, a move that influenced the NCAA’s decision to spare head coach Eric Schmidt from any punitive action.
The governing body imposed a one‑year probationary period, a $25,000 monetary fine, and a series of restrictions on future recruiting communications. In addition, Stepps received a one‑year show‑cause order and will miss the opening game of the 2026 season.
Despite the penalties, Schmidt, who guided the team to an 8‑6 record and a second‑round appearance in the FCS playoffs last year, remains at the helm of the program.
Looking Ahead
The program now faces a critical rebuilding phase as it navigates the restrictions while trying to maintain competitiveness in the coming season.