USC fires baseball coach Frank Cruz for NCAA violations

USC has fired head baseball coach Frank Cruz for knowingly violating NCAA Countable Athletically-Related Activities limitations, the university announced Wednesday.

Athletic Director Pat Haden said Cruz violated CARA and USC's self-imposed rules on the number of hours players could spend in activities directed by or supervised by the coaching staff.

"Adhering to all NCAA rules is paramount for each one of our coaches, student-athletes and staff members," said Haden. "Those who knowingly break NCAA rules are subject to termination."

USC said it has alerted the NCAA and Pac-12 of the infractions.

Haden has promoted USC associate head coach Dan Hubbs to head coach. Hubbs, a former Trojan All-American pitcher previously spent 12 years as Cal's pitching coach and had a seven-year pitching career in the minor leagues.

Cruz was preparing to begin his second season as the Trojans' full-time head coach after being promoted in 2012 after serving as interim head coach for the 2011 season. He was on the Trojans' staff as an assistant coach when USC went to the 1995 College World Series.