North Carolina Central head coach Trei Oliver raised eyebrows across the college football world last week when he accused a Virginia Tech staff member of trying to recruit one of his players — during a game.
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Speaking to reporters at a media event, Oliver said a Hokies assistant appeared on his sideline last season and suggested the coach was targeting star running back J'Mari Taylor for the transfer portal.
"Virginia Tech was actually on my sideline recruiting our running back," Oliver said, according to WRAL News. "That was pretty bold. I couldn't believe it."
Oliver did not name the player, but said the individual ultimately transferred to the University of Virginia. Taylor, a first-team all-conference selection, is now part of the Cavaliers' backfield rotation.
According to Oliver, several of his assistants tried to calm him down during the incident by saying the Virginia Tech coach was "just down here visiting." Oliver was not buying it.
"But I knew what it was," he said.
Virginia Tech issued a statement Saturday saying the school had not been made aware of the allegation until now and that it is launching an internal review.
"This is the first time the issue has been brought to our attention, and no concern has previously been shared with us through any formal channel," the statement read. "Virginia Tech takes all NCAA rules seriously and is committed to conducting our program with integrity."
Taylor is expected to be a contributor at Virginia this fall. Despite the circumstances surrounding his departure, Oliver said he is still pulling for his former player, especially when Virginia faces its in-state rival on Nov. 29.
"Thank God he went to UVA," Oliver said. "And UVA is going to beat the smoke out of them other folks."
