Ohio State Football Program Slammed with Failure to Monitor Charge

Ohio State has received a "failure to monitor" charge from the NCAA, the latest of multiple allegations made by the NCAA to the school in 2011, according to an ESPN Report.

This penalty is among the most severe penalties the NCAA can levy on member institutions

School athletic director Gene Smith expressed his regret for the situation, saying that, "On a personal note, I deeply regret that I did not ensure the degree of monitoring our institution deserves and demands."

Due to the new allegations, Ohio State will take away five scholarships from its football program over the next three years.

Former booster Robert DiGeronimo has been alleged by the NCAA of giving benefits to several players, including former quarterback Terrelle Pryor.

The school said on September 20 that it was separating itself from DiGeronimo, but the NCAA has said that the Buckeyes "failed to take appropriate actions to determine if DiGeronimo continued to employ student-athletes or host them at the charity event despite concerns about his interaction with the football program."

The school is also alleged to have "failed to educate football student-athletes about DiGeronimo," among other things.

After the violations from players selling memorabilia in exchange for tattoos earlier this year, the school vacated the 2010 season.

Former head coach Jim Tressel was also let go as a result of the violations, and he now works for the Indianapolis Colts of the NFL.

This failure in monitoring is appalling because Ohio State has already been hit from the NCAA this season, and now possibly faces more severe punishments that could have been avoided if the proper steps were taken to clean up the program.

The Buckeyes are 6-3 on the season (3-2 in Big-10 play) and travel on the road to face Purdue on Saturday.