The basketball season in Texas is set to begin on Friday.
The University Interscholastic League (UIL) executive committee handed down the punishment to head coach Andrea Robinson and assistants Kadi Creel and Jordan Jones after it agreed with an Oct. 17 district executive committee (DEC) ruling.
Oakl Cliff Faith Family Academy coach Andrea Robinson, seen here on the sideline for DeSoto last year, was suspended for two seasons Wednesday by the UIL for recruiting and other violations. The state association also ruled the program ineligible for postseason after it brought in 18 transfers, many of them high-profile college prospects. (Photo: Alex Garza)
The DEC cannot hand out suspensions or bans, but referred its case to the UIL's executive committee after finding the coaches guilty of recruiting violations, a lack of transparency and withholding information regarding the transfers, according the paper. Initially, it was believed to be 13 transfers, but revealed Wednesday to be 18.
"There needs to be a signal sent, and I think it's appropriate," UIL executive committee chairman Mike Motheral told the Dallas Morning News.
Robinson, a four-time state champion at DeSoto, was hired by Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy in the off-season.
Among the high-profile transfers were five-star junior forward Amari Byles and four-star guard Amayah Garcia, who both played for Robinson at DeSoto. Also transferring to the school were four-star forward Joy Egbuna from Mansfield Lake Ridge, four-star point guard Finley Chastain from Montverde Academy and sisters Milania, Gianna, Natalia and Nadia Jordan from Southlake Carroll.
The UIL has yet to rule on the eligibility of the players as the season tips off in Texas on Friday. The Dallas Morning News reported the players may return to their original team and become immediately eligible.
The UIL prohibits students from transferring for athletic purposes.
In 2019, Duncanville coach Cathy Self-Morgan was given a three-year suspension for recruiting violations. In 2022, both the Duncanville boys coach David Peavy and girls coach LeJeanna Howard were suspended for one year while the boys team was stripped of its state title and the girls team banned from postseason.
