Notre Dame football placed on probation for one year over recruiting violations Posted Jan 21, 2021 The NCAA placed Notre Dame's football program on probation for one year on Thursday, after the sides agreed that a former assistant coach had impermissible off-campus recruiting contact with a high school player in January 2019. Those involved were former cornerbacks coach Todd Lyght and linebacker Sav'ell Smalls of Garfield High School in Seattle. (ESPN.com)