Tommy Tuberville Considering Withholding Cost-of-Living Funds for Breaking Rules

Cincinnati head football coach Tommy Tuberville stated Thursday that he's considering a plan to withhold a portion of a player's cost-of-attendance money for off-field issues or other violations.

Joe Schad of ESPN confirmed Tuberville's stance as schools begin to utilize the increased funds available to athletes. The 60-year-old coach provided a simple explanation for the idea, per Schad.

"We are holding them accountable," he said.

Cincinnati athletic director Mike Bohn called the plan an "accountability measure" for student-athletes and tried to explain it further, via Schad.

"It's not a fine. It's not a threat. It's a tool," Bohn said.

Tuberville and Cincinnati are not the first program to discuss this as a possibility; on Aug. 26, Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster said the Hokies were considering doing something similar, per Norm Wood of the Newport News Daily Press.

Steve Berkowitz of USA Today notes the NCAA's five wealthiest conferences agreed to a plan in January that allows them to provide scholarships that cover the full cost of attending school. All Division I programs can offer the additional benefits, but it's not required.

The plan is already causing concerns in the college community. Jake New of Inside Higher Ed reported some schools with high-profile athletic programs "are sharply increasing" the cost of attendance this year, thus making more available for the scholarships.

Brian Murphy of Yahoo Sports pointed out that college coaches are "sounding more and more like employers/bosses every day."

Tuberville's comments will raise some questions about these guidelines, but it's unclear how much of an impact this will have on his team and programs elsewhere in college athletics.