The Chevy Chase tennis coach indicted in a nationwide college admissions bribery case resigned as head coach of the University of Rhode Island women’s team last week, the university announced.
Gordon Ernst, 52, had been on administrative leave since March 12 after he was charged with racketeering in a federal case that included what prosecutors contend were illegal payments to coaches and bribes to administrators of college entrance tests.
Ernst allegedly accepted more than $2.7 million in payments during his head coaching tenure at Georgetown University, designating at least a dozen applicants as tennis recruits regardless of their athletic abilities, according to charges.
At an arraignment Monday, Ernst entered a not-guilty plea, according to the federal prosecutor’s office. He was released on bond.
Attorneys for Ernst could not immediately be reached for comment.
Rhode Island hired Ernst in August 2018. The university said he wasn’t involved in the recruitment or signing of players in a statement.
Former Providence College head coach Rebecca Ricci has been named interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
Ernst could not be reached for comment. A message left was not returned.
Charlie Wright can be reached at charlie.wright@moco360.media
