The NCAA's "show-cause" penalty issued against former USC football assistant coach Todd McNair was ruled illegal by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Frederick Shaller on Tuesday, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The NCAA's show-cause penalty prohibits interactions between a coach and recruits for one year while working for any NCAA-member institution. USC did not renew McNair's contract in 2011 after the sanction was handed down. He has not held a coaching position with an NCAA team since.
Per the Times' Nathan Feeno, an eight-page decision ruled the show-cause provision consistituted an "unlawful restraint," hindering McNair from getting a a lawful profession in his case against the NCAA.