USC fires head coach Cruz for violating NCAA rules regarding practice time

Cruz

LOS ANGELES — Southern California fired coach Frank Cruz for violating NCAA rules regarding limits on practice time and organized team activities.

Trojans athletic director Pat Haden announced Wednesday that Cruz has been dismissed and that the school has self-imposed a reduction in the number of practice hours for the baseball team this season and next.

”Adhering to all NCAA rules is paramount for each one of our coaches, student-athletes and staff members,” Haden said. ”Those who knowingly break NCAA rules are subject to termination.”

USC has alerted the NCAA and Pac-12 of the infraction and the university-imposed actions.

Cruz was 48-63 in two seasons with the Trojans.

Associate head coach Dan Hubbs, a former Trojans pitcher in his second season as a coach with USC, has been promoted to head coach.

”I’m confident that Dan Hubbs and his staff will lead our team to a successful season,” Haden said. ”Dan is a good coach, he is highly-regarded in the baseball community and he has strong Trojan roots.”

Last Thursday, USC announced it had suspended Cruz from all coaching duties pending an investigation by Vice President for Athletic Compliance Dave Roberts and his staff to determine whether the baseball program exceeded the allowed Countable Athletically-Related Activities hours.