Virginia Tech AD squashes coach's idea of fining players

Virginia Tech athletic director Whit Babcock quickly responded to defensive coordinator Bud Foster's suggestion that coaches might fine players from their cost of attendance stipends by saying no such thing will happen.

New NCAA rules allow schools to pay a stipend of several thousand dollars to athletes that cover school expenses beyond tuition, fees and room and board. Virginia Tech is among the many schools paying the stipend.

Foster was quoted by reporters as saying the staff would explore fining or withholding cost of attendance money as a way to punish players for minor transgressions, creating a small Twitter firestorm. Withholding financial aid would be an NCAA violation.

After being alerted to Foster's comments, Babcock sent a text to The Associated Press, saying, ''Will be stopped immediately.''