Hall Quits at Florida Amid New Charges

Florida football Coach Galen Hall resigned Sunday amid charges he made unauthorized payments to a player and to his assistant coaches in violation of National Collegiate Athletic Assn. rules, the university’s interim president said.

His replacement is defensive coordinator Gary Darnell, said interim president Robert Bryan.

“We made this move because the man violated his contract and committed major violations of NCAA rules,” Bryan said at a news conference. “We cannot allow him to coach.”

Bryan said he accepted the resignation effective immediately, citing payments allegedly made by Hall to a player in 1987 and unauthorized salary supplements to assistant coaches from 1986 to 1988.

Hall compiled a 40-18-1 record in six years as Florida’s coach after taking over after the first three games of the 1984 season when Charley Pell left amid charges of NCAA recruiting violations.

In a letter of resignation, Hall admitted that in January, 1987, he helped a player who faced a court order arising from non-payment of child support.

An unnamed graduate student told university officials that Hall had him deliver money to the player in a sealed envelope. Hall denied the accusation, writing in the letter to Bryan that to his recollection, the envelope contained only court papers.

“I recognize that my involvement in this matter has the appearance of impropriety,” Hall wrote.

He also admitted to paying unauthorized salary supplements to assistant coaches in 1986, 1987 and 1988 in violation of NCAA rules. One coach was paid $18,000 and another was paid $4,000, Hall said in the letter.

“I resign with great regret, particularly that events compelled this decision within the season. However, I have recognized that my actions may jeopardize our football program, particularly given the prior history of the university.”

The players were informed of Hall’s departure several hours before the announcement, Bryan said. Hall will receive severance pay of $65,000, he added.

Florida beat LSU, 16-13, Saturday night and is 4-1 overall and 2-1 in the Southeastern Conference.