LITTLE ROCK (AP) -The Southeastern Conference has told Arkansas that former running backs coach Danny Nutt should not be in the coaches’ booth or near the team bench during games.
Nutt, brother of coach Houston Nutt, resigned in July with a recurring condition involving bleeding from his brain stem. The Razorbacks hired Tim Horton to replace him.
News on Nutt’s health was more encouraging following his resignation, and he was able to join the team on the field before the season opener against Troy. The Razorbacks have worn helmets with his initials.
Last weekend, during Arkansas’ 42-29 loss to No. 14 Kentucky, ESPN cameras showed Nutt in the Razorbacks’ coaching booth with headphones on.
Charles Bloom, associate commissioner for the SEC, said the conference office has reviewed the matter.
“Based on the interpretation that Arkansas received from the Southeastern Conference office, Danny Nutt cannot be in the team bench area or in the coaches’ box during the football games,” Bloom said in an e-mail Tuesday to The Associated Press. “He can watch the game from the sidelines (outside the team bench area) or any other area in the stadium that would not cause him to be deemed a countable member of the football staff.”
University compliance director Marvin Caston said the NCAA regulates the number of coaches a team can have, and that Nutt “can’t do anything that a countable coach can do.”
The school is not expected to be punished because of Nutt’s location last weekend. Caston said the school has been trying to get a clarification on where the former assistant can be.
“Going forward, parameters have been established,” Caston said.
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