Oklahoma football: NCAA nearly suspended OU assistant Jay Norvell over tweets

The university said it also provided specific rules education to its entire football staff pertaining to written offers of financial aid, electronic correspondence and the use of social media during the recruiting process.

In a Sept. 25 letter, Renee Gomila, the NCAA's associate director of enforcement for secondary infractions, said while the NCAA agreed with the university that Norvell's violation should be classified as secondary — as opposed to major — Norvell should be suspended for one game and the university should reduce the remaining number of in-person, off-campus recruiting contacts with the prospects by two.

Gomila said that similar future violations "may result in the head coach being suspended from all coaching-related activities" for at least one game.

The university filed its appeal of Norvell's suspension on Oct. 23, citing similar cases at Iowa, Clemson, Mississippi, Memphis and Tennessee. The university called the suspension "inappropriate, excessive and not supported by case precedent (institutions with like penalties)."

In a Dec. 5 response, Strobel said the NCAA enforcement staff had "reevaluated" the case and set aside Gomila's recommendation. The letter did not give a reason for the NCAA's change of heart.