There had been moments of uncertainly and tough moments around the program with the
NCAA’s investigation looming over for more than two years.
“Certainly it’s in recruiting,” Heupel said about the most difficult part to navigate during the investigation. “Our players, because they’re with you every day, they’ve got a lot of trust in what you’re doing as a program, leading that program, and what you’re going to try to get accomplished. I think the hardest thing for our entire staff was in recruiting because it has nothing to do with us who are currently there.
People tried to use it against us in recruiting negatively. You had to develop great trust with the recruits and their families. You talk about the culture that you’re building, talking about what happened and what you think the end result will be with the NCAA.”
“Today’s word gives us the ability to put it behind us,” Heupel continued on to say. “It’s out in the open, it’s finalized, and they can all realize we have the opportunity to go out and play for championships.”