Baylor OC Kendal Briles, WR Coach Tate Wallis Suspended for NCAA Violation

The Baylor Bears will be without two coaches for Saturday's game against the Lamar Cardinals, as offensive coordinator Kendal Briles and wide receivers coach Tate Wallis serve suspensions for violating NCAA rules.

Ralph D. Russo of the Associated Press reported the sanctions against Briles and Wallis, while Stewart Mandel of Fox Sports provided details behind the punishment:

Thayer Evans of Sports Illustrated noted the investigation stemmed from a period in May when Briles and Wallis were accused of "impermissible contact with recruits at spring games and a track meet" near Dallas.

Briles, who is the son of Baylor head coach Art Briles, is in his first season as the team's offensive coordinator after spending seven seasons with the program as an assistant. Wallis has been with the program for six seasons, with 2015 marking his first as wide receivers coach.

Baylor is ranked fourth in both the AP and coaches polls. The Bears have high expectations this season after going 11-2 last year, so finding a way to eliminate all distractions from the locker room now will benefit them in the long run.

Lamar, which is part of the Football Championship Subdivision, doesn't figure to provide a huge test for the Bears. Briles and Wallis will be able to accept their punishments and return to help Baylor possibly make a run at the national title.