SEC Considers Creating Its Own Tampering Rules

SEC presidents want to take action where NCAA has failed, following Clemson's recent tampering case

Feb. 1, 2026 at 10:55am

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In response to Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney's recent criticism of the lack of enforcement around college football tampering rules, University of Georgia president Jere Morehead has suggested that the SEC should create and enforce its own set of rules on tampering and other regulations. Morehead cited frustration with the NCAA and the College Sports Commission's failure to take action, stating that "several" other SEC program presidents support the idea of the conference taking matters into its own hands.

Why it matters

This move by the SEC highlights the growing frustration among college football programs and administrators with the perceived lack of oversight and enforcement from the NCAA. By taking a more proactive approach, the SEC could set an example for other major conferences to follow, potentially leading to more consistency and accountability around recruiting violations and tampering across the sport.

The details

Morehead's proposal would involve the SEC creating and enforcing its own set of rules, separate from the NCAA's, in an effort to curb the "chaos" that Swinney and others have decried in the current system. The SEC commissioner, Greg Sankey, would be presented with the idea if enough SEC presidents are on board. Morehead cited the NCAA's failure to take action against the recent tampering case involving Clemson and Ole Miss as a key motivator behind the SEC's potential move.

  • On January 23, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney challenged coaches to "step up" and be "people of integrity" in response to the ongoing issues around tampering.
  • On January 27, The Athletic reported that University of Georgia president Jere Morehead suggested the SEC should create and enforce its own rules on tampering and other regulations.

The players

Dabo Swinney

The head football coach at Clemson University, who has been outspoken about the need for greater accountability and enforcement around tampering and recruiting violations in college football.

Jere Morehead

The president of the University of Georgia, who has proposed that the SEC should create and enforce its own set of rules on tampering and other regulations, citing frustration with the NCAA's lack of action.

Greg Sankey

The commissioner of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), who would be presented with the idea of the SEC creating its own tampering rules if enough SEC presidents support Morehead's proposal.

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What they’re saying

“Have we seen the CSC move against any institution yet? I don't think so. Have we seen the NCAA take any action on tampering? I don't think so.”

— Jere Morehead, University of Georgia President

“I think we're getting to the point that the Southeastern Conference is going to have to create its own set of rules, enforce them against our members, and hope that we can set an example that the other Power 4 conferences would then follow. But we desperately need rules, and rules that are going to be enforced.”

— Jere Morehead, University of Georgia President

What’s next

If enough SEC presidents support Morehead's proposal, the idea would be presented to SEC commissioner Greg Sankey for consideration.

The takeaway

The SEC's potential move to create and enforce its own tampering rules highlights the growing frustration among college football programs with the perceived lack of oversight and accountability from the NCAA. By taking a more proactive approach, the SEC could set an example for other major conferences to follow, potentially leading to more consistency and integrity across the sport.