Arrested last month on multiple counts of aggravated burglary and felony theft, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga defensive backs Clim Robbins and Deron "T.J." Thompson have been dismissed from the team, coach Russ Huesman said Tuesday.
The two freshmen had been suspended since late February after the alleged thefts from on-campus residential complexes were brought to the attention of Huesman and UTC police. Both players face nine counts of aggravated burglary, five counts of felony theft of more than $1,000 and four of more than $500.
"They've been dismissed and won't be on the football team next year," Huesman said. "Whether they come back to school or not, they're not on the football team."
The players, both from Florida, completed spring semester and already have gone through a UTC student conduct hearing. They will be back in Hamilton County General Sessions Court on May 23.
Robbins and Thompson redshirted in 2011 and were expected to be backups to starting cornerbacks Kadeem Wise and Chaz Moore next season. Redshirt freshman Sema'je Kendall, moved to cornerback from safety in the spring, will likely get more playing time, and true freshmen Will Johnson and Dee Virgin could have a chance to play right away.
Huesman said Robbins and Thompson are likable young men from good families and "we had no inclination that there was an issue" with either player.
"Realistically, this is probably the first thing that they did wrong in their lives," he said, "and it came back and is biting them."
Allison on MTSU staff
Former UTC wide receiver Sloan Allison has joined Middle Tennessee State coach Rick Stockstill's staff as an offensive graduate assistant. The son of former Mocs head coach Rodney Allison graduated from UTC in December and is now following in his father's footsteps.
Stockstill and Rodney Allison coached at Clemson together in the 1990s, and the younger Allison said he contacted Stockstill last summer about joining his staff after graduation. He participated in MTSU's spring practice as a volunteer assistant, working with the running backs.
"I knew I wanted to get into coaching in my senior year of high school [at Boyd-Buchanan]," he said. "I don't think I could do anything else, honestly. Unless it's something in or around football, I'm not sure I'm fit to do anything else."
Allison had 24 receptions for 213 yards and two touchdowns last season and also played some quarterback during the Samford game. He said it was a little strange making such a quick transition from player to coach.
"That first practice out there, it was different," he said. "I loved it, but it was weird."
Aces at Porky's
UTC held its annual Porky's Open fundraising golf tournament at Council Fire on Tuesday, and two players scored aces on par-3s.
With men's basketball coach John Shulman and women's basketball coach Wes Moore looking on at hole No. 7, Hiren Desai won a free set of Callaway irons with his hole-in-one. Mark Weiss's ace on No. 12 was much more lucrative -- it won him $15,000.