ESPN College Football

MONROE, La. -- Louisiana Tech head football coach Jack Bicknell says he'd be happy to have running back Mark Dillard rejoin the team, after learning a grand jury refused to indict the player on forcible rape charges.

Tech campus police arrested Dillard in January after a female student filed a complaint. Dillard, Tech's leading rusher last season with 672 yards and eight touchdowns, was suspended indefinitely from the team following the arrest. The suspension caused the sophomore from Baton Rouge to miss all of spring drills.

Dillard must first be cleared by the university's Behavior Standards Committee before being formally cleared to resume his football career.

"It was a difficult situation for everyone involved," Tech coach Jack Bicknell said. "Once Mark has been completely cleared by the university, we will be glad to have him back on the football team."

Bicknell plans to move the 5-11, 208-pounder to strong safety and wanted to use spring practice to get a good look. Now he will have to wait until fall camp opens in August.

"We feel like he can be a good defensive player for us," Bicknell said. "Unfortunately, we haven't had a chance to look at him."

Dillard has been attending classes since the Jan. 8 arrest and learned Friday the charges against him are no longer being pursued after the Lincoln Parish grand jury handed down a "no-true" bill, meaning there wasn't enough evidence to formally charge him.

"That's the news we've been waiting to hear," said Mark Dillard Sr., the player's father. "We're elated. It was very tough on our family. We know what kind of son we raised and the character he had."

Lincoln Parish District Attorney Bob Levy could still present a case to the grand jury in the future, although it isn't likely unless additional evidence is presented.

"I have the utmost respect for District Attorney Bob Levy and his assistants and I appreciate them taking it to the grand jury for them to look at it," Dillard's attorney Rick Gallot said. "Hopefully everyone will be able to put this behind us and move forward."

Dillard Sr., who is a preacher, said his son did his best to remain focused and live his life normally until the issue was resolved.

"He just kept going and trying to deal with it the best way he could," Dillard Sr., said. "We're giving God the praise and glory because I raised him up in that light. He kept going to school and classes and tried to do the best he could to keep his mind focused and be upbeat as possible.

"He got a lot of encouragement from players. After hearing this information of being cleared, he was very excited. He just couldn't wait to hear this news. It was in his tone of voice."

Dillard did not return phone calls requesting comment.

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Information from: The News-Star, http://www.thenewsstar.com

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press

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