An off-field incident will keep East Carolina’s leading rusher off the practice field for the foreseeable future.
The school announced in a press release Friday afternoon that running back Vintavious Cooper has been indefinitely suspended by head coach Ruffin McNeill. The suspension is the result of what the release described as “an on-campus drug-related citation.”
Specifically, Cooper was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana Friday morning by university police.
“We have conduct standards in place and our expectations are that those are followed to the letter, especially by seniors who are in leadership roles,” McNeill said. “While Vintavious has been a model member of our program up until this point, no one is ever immune to the accountability process.”
After transferring to the Pirates from the JUCO ranks last year, Cooper led the team in rushing yards (1,049) and rushing touchdowns (seven). He also caught 26 passes for 229 yards and another touchdown in his first season at the school.
Cooper will be a senior in 2013.