ATHENS, Ga., April 25 (UPI) -- New Georgia basketball coach Dennis Felton announced Friday he had dismissed freshman guard Wayne Arnold from the program.
On Tuesday, five freshmen football players and Arnold were charged with a misdemeanor violation of the Georgia Controlled Substance Act.
The charges -- related to an unidentified substance -- resulted from a response by university police to McWhorter Hall on Thursday night. Each student-athlete reported to the Clarke County jail Tuesday and was released on bail.
The football players were defensive backs Tim Jennings and DeMario Minter, wide receivers Bryan McClendon and Mario Raley, and offensive lineman Randall Swoopes.
"I'd like to reiterate that our program will have zero tolerance for behavior that fails to live up to the standards of excellence by which we operate," Felton said. "As destructive as drugs can be, we certainly don't want this problem to exist in our program. It is unhealthy for everyone."
This latest incident came in the wake of an academic scandal that rocked the school as Felton took over a program ravaged by controversy. Jim Harrick Sr. resigned last month following allegations made by former Bulldogs guard Tony Cole that the coach and his son provided financial and academic benefits.
The claims led to the firing of assistant coach Jim Harrick Jr., the self-imposed withdrawal of the team from the NCAA Tournament and the suspension of the elder Harrick, who later resigned. He has refuted the charges.
Football coach Mark Richt imposed a lesser penalty, suspending his five players a minimum of two games. He also required that they must undertake a minimum of 30 hours community service, internal discipline consisting of additional physical activity and required counseling.
Arnold played in only 10 games for the Bulldogs, averaging just 2.8 points and 1.4 rebounds. He scored a season-high 10 points against Belmont in the second game of the season.
Felton, who was on a recruiting trip when the charges were levied, said he will try to get Arnold enrolled in another school.
"While I'm disappointed in Wayne, I am also worried about him," Felton said. "I don't wish to see his future in school and as an athlete derailed by this episode. So we will work diligently to help him find his next opportunity, most likely at the junior-college level, with hopes that he will grow and succeed."
