Less than 24 hours after Texas Christian University released its football schedule for next season — its first in the Big 12 Conference — four members of the school’s high-profile football team were arrested as part of a six-month drug sting.  

Authorities arrested a total of 17 students on Wednesday after they were caught making “hand-to-hand” sales of marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy and prescription drugs to undercover officers.

Arrest warrants, obtained by the Associated Press, describe a handful of players allegedly arranged marijuana sales after class or around practice and told police that most of the team had failed a surprise drug test just two weeks ago.

“There are days people want to be a head football coach, but today is not one of those days,” TCU head football coach Gary Patterson said in a statement. “As I heard the news this morning, I was first shocked, then hurt and now I'm mad.”

Three prominent defensive players were arrested: linebacker Tanner Brock — leading tackler two seasons ago, defensive tackle D.J. Yendrey and cornerback Devin Johnson. The other player is offensive lineman Ty Horn, according to the Associated Press.

Officials have said that the student-athletes have been “separated from TCU” and criminally barred from campus, but it is still unclear whether they had been kicked off the team.