THE SIDELINES : Ex-Florida Coach May Appeal NCAA Unethical-Conduct Ruling

The former University of Florida football coach punished by the NCAA for “unethical conduct” says he may appeal the penalty that could keep him from future coaching jobs.

Galen Hall, now an unpaid graduate assistant coach at Penn State, has 15 days to announce any intention to appeal.

Under the sanctions announced Thursday, Hall was cited for giving money to a player and two assistant coaches.

If any NCAA institution wants to hire Hall within the next five years as a paid coach, it must obtain permission from the infractions committee.

“I intend to review the report with my attorney and make a decision on the possibility of pursuing the appeal process within the time limitations permitted under the NCAA bylaws,” Hall said in a prepared statement.

The penalty against Hall was harsher than that imposed against the Florida football team. The NCAA placed Hall on five years’ probation, while Florida was banned from going to a bowl game this year.

The NCAA action has no impact on Hall’s job at Penn State, where his only compensation for coaching tight ends is tuition at the university. The school has been told to ensure that Hall’s duties do not exceed those normally assigned to unpaid coaches.