NCAA: Marcus Lattimore can’t be paid to work for South Carolina

The NCAA says Marcus Lattimore cannot be paid by South Carolina to work in an ambassador role.

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The NCAA says Marcus Lattimore cannot be paid by South Carolina to work in an ambassador role, according toThe State.

The plan was for Lattimore, a former star running back for the Gamecocks whose career was effectively wrecked by a serious knee injury, to join Will Muschamp’s staff at South Carolina in an advisory position to players, not as a coach.

The NCAA has stated that Lattimore cannot be an official paid member of the program because his status as a former player and influence through his foundation and football camps would constitute an unfair recruiting advantage.

Lattimore will graduate from South Carolina after finishing his degree next month. The move to involve him with the team had been discussed dating back to 2014. He can still associate with the team and fulfill a similar role, but can’t be officially on staff.

Lattimore, 24, ran for 2,677 yards and 38 touchdowns in three years at South Carolina, and was drafted by the 49ers in the fourth round of the 2013 draft. He retired from football in November 2014.