Ole Miss places 20 players on probation for stealing twice from hotels

JACKSON, Miss. -- Mississippi put 20 players on probation Sunday after they twice stole items from hotels.

A news release said the players have paid for the items, which included radios and pillows. Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron said in the release that the players will be on probation indefinitely.

Officials said the items stolen cost between $15 and $40.

"Any actions similar to this will result in more severe penalties which may include dismissal from the team," Orgeron said in the release.

The action comes a day after the Rebels lost 41-24 to No. 1 LSU in Oxford. It appears the players will be allowed to play Friday at Mississippi State in the final game of the season.

A spokesman said a list of disciplined players was not available. Neither Orgeron nor athletic director Pete Boone immediately returned messages Sunday. Boone is scheduled to attend Orgeron's weekly news conference Monday to answer questions about the disciplinary action.

It was not clear from the release when or where the items were stolen. Ole Miss stays in hotels for home and away games. When they play in Oxford, they stay at a hotel in nearby Tupelo on Friday nights to get away from distractions.

This is at least the fourth disciplinary action Orgeron has taken this season. He reinstated Greg Hardy last week after suspending the defensive end for two games. Offensive linemen Corey Actis and John Jerry were docked starts. Orgeron has said in those cases team rules were broken, not the law.

Orgeron also suspended four players and dismissed another last season after police caught them smoking marijuana. Only one of the four suspended returned to the team this season.

Ole Miss' NCAA compliance officer said in the statement that the players disciplined Sunday do not face sanctions.

"Since the student-athletes have made restitution, there are no NCAA rules violations," said David Wells, senior associate athletics director for compliance.