Myles Sims' family upset with Michigan over transfer waiver denial
This article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution includes quotes from both Myles Sims' parents and representatives from UM about the NCAA denying his immediate request to play this year at Georgia Tech. They allege that the official statement from Warde to the NCAA had misinformation about why Sims was transferring.
They are appealing the decision.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:07 AM ^
"Submitted info to NCAA from doctors supporting their case"
Where have I heard this before?
Just change the rule and make them eligible retroactively.
Tathan Martell's case is a slap in the face of anybody denied eligibility.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:07 AM ^
As weve learned ..OTHER coaches want Michigan and Harbaugh to LIE about such reasons...Good for Harbaugh...tell the truth and I dont care what it "Looks" like..im not worried about what OTHERS try to say for negative recruiting ..just continue to tell the TRUTH
August 21st, 2019 at 12:50 PM ^
To be fair I didn’t see where the GT coaches asked Harbaugh or Warde to doctor the paperwork. Seems like this is more from the Sims’ family
August 21st, 2019 at 11:07 AM ^
They must also be selling some Arizona oceanfront property if they think anyone believes playing time had nothing to do with his transfer. Just so happens that he had been passed up by Gray and perhaps Gemon Green before he left.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:08 AM ^
It doesn't help Myles Sims, but the bigger picture is that by being honest and above board, Warde is helping to make the argument that one time no questions asked transfers would be desirable for everyone concerned.
Having said that, all a change in the transfer rule would do is push the issue to the next school. A change in the transfer rule to one of no questions asked and immediate eligibility would quite likely realize a flocking of student athletes from one school to another. A concern is that the usual reason for transferring, playing time, won't necessarily be mitigated by moving to another institution unless the student athlete drops down a level.
On the other hand, this might incentivize players that outgrow lower level competition to challenge themselves by moving up a level or two.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:10 AM ^
Funny how often this happens to Michigan...
I'm sure the delusional defenders will be here to tell us all how Sims family got it wrong and how Hatbaugh is a saint and Michigan is pure.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:15 AM ^
Troll on 18 wheeler....... Troll on
August 21st, 2019 at 11:16 AM ^
Funny how/why you're even here often, but also sad how/why you're even here often.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:26 AM ^
Those burgers aren't flipping themselves.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:23 AM ^
It's time to get a job and move out of mom's.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:32 AM ^
Im planning on ordering pizza tonight. Dont be late. Thanks.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:51 AM ^
I will just note that as a buck or sparty you are trying to fault Michigan for refusing to lie. It's a shame your program has abandoned the core tenant of college athletics; to make model citizens, but don't hate that Michigan is still the leader and the best.
August 21st, 2019 at 12:41 PM ^
Please explain to me why anybody related to the University of Michigan, from Harbaugh and Manuel down to the lowliest Walmart fan, would give a flying fuck whether Myles Sims plays this year for Georgia Tech.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:12 AM ^
So forever the rule has been, "transfer and sit out a year".
There are circumstances the NCAA will consider and in come cases will allow an exception so the student can play immediately. Now every kid who transfers wants the exception to be the rule and if they aren't granted an exception, it must be the fault of the school that they decided to leave.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:13 AM ^
Does it make sense that I'm ok with both Harbaugh being a stickler about what he says to the NCAA and also the coaches/players that might lie or exaggerate details about a transfer because fuck the NCAA?
August 21st, 2019 at 11:59 AM ^
To me it does. I’m in favor of coaches being flexible or less rigid about the rules to help a kid out. But I also believe it’s up to the individual to decide if that’s their stance so it’s ok for a coach to not want to play that game and that’s their choice.
This pattern doesn’t look great though. So while I appreciate Harbaugh sticking to his principles (even though I wouldn't in these situations) I do wish he was more flexible with this to avoid the bad optics. This doesn’t make him a bad guy but if you can avoid shitty press...why not then?
August 21st, 2019 at 1:26 PM ^
Did you read that Tom Mars the lawyer who has represented several players seeking waivers to the transfer rule?
“It’s been my experience that the level of support from the player’s former school only affects the outcome when the waiver is sought under the ‘mitigating circumstances’ exception to the ‘year in residence’ requirement, or is sought under what’s commonly referred to as the ‘run off rule.’ I’m not aware of any waiver requests filed under the ‘family hardship’ or ‘athlete injury/illness’ exceptions where the level of support from the former school had any bearing on the NCAA staff’s decision to grant or deny the waiver.”
August 21st, 2019 at 11:14 AM ^
Well, the truth is hard to swallow sometimes. Being upset because you are not getting PT is not a "personal reason".
August 21st, 2019 at 11:14 AM ^
This isn't happening to other schools. Just go along with the fucking ruse and get kids transfer eligibility. All this holier than thou bullshit about not lying is like being a prick about going the speed limit in the left lane when every other driver is going 10 over.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:23 AM ^
If the NCAA knows this is happening, why are they denying some and granting other?
To whom is the NCAA's decision being held accountable, if the former school doesn't care either way?
August 21st, 2019 at 11:24 AM ^
Why? To appease someone else in their quest to get guys who aren't our problem anymore?
August 21st, 2019 at 11:33 AM ^
Because its the right thing for the student athletes to allow them to do what is best for them with as few barriers as possible.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:42 AM ^
If it comes at our expense, fuck em. We are not obligated to lie and risk our program for the need of a guy who is quitting because he can’t hack it here. Let the NCAA change their rules. It’s so funny how this happens after the Hudson nonsense.
No man is more important than the team isn’t just a quote.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:49 AM ^
It isn't coming at Michigan's expense at all. It does nothing to harm Michigan to not respond, which is what most schools do. Its not even asking them to lie, they can just not respond.
August 21st, 2019 at 2:11 PM ^
These seems to be almost certainly untrue, even when you repeat it a lot. When the NCAA says "file this form" member schools can't just say "fuck because reasons."
August 21st, 2019 at 11:59 AM ^
I just.... do you honestly think that players are dealing in arms length when they commit to a school to play?
Sims wasn't playing. He gets another chance. Michigan gets a free scholarship.
He is right. Harbaugh has the option of not responding to the inquiry. If he is doing so in order to win a pissing contest with a 19 year old that is going a little bit past "quirky." And I don't think there is any question that continued press about this particular issue will erode Harbaugh's standing with certain players in recruiting.
August 21st, 2019 at 2:14 PM ^
Harbaugh has the option of not responding to the inquiry.
Harbaugh has nothing whatsoever to do with the NCAA's requirement for a report from the school. Compliance checks with him and deals with the inquiry. Harbaugh has no "options" whatsoever. As he has said any number of times.
August 21st, 2019 at 12:41 PM ^
Processing dead weight most definitely doesn't hurt Michigan. This is a kid that could have sat here and sucked up a scholarship while never playing. Instead, he's leaving to go play somewhere else. No reason to make him sit - it's not like Michigan can't use his scholarship next year.
August 21st, 2019 at 1:21 PM ^
Dude get over yourself! Why is there a need to tell any player “Fuck ‘em”
August 21st, 2019 at 11:27 AM ^
It doesn't come easy to be " Leaders and best".
August 21st, 2019 at 11:37 AM ^
The left lane is for passing, your speed in relation to the posted speed is irrelevant. If you aren't passing someone and you are in the left lane you are wrong.
I understand your analogy despite that. I also disagree. Our society would be much better off if we and the government/quasi-governmental entities stopped picking and choosing the rules we want to follow/enforce. It would also be better if we didn't have a rule about every single thing, but one begat the other.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:51 AM ^
The point is that if you are driving the speed limit you are technically following the law but going against social convention that makes things work better. In this instance, Michigan is technically following the letter of the law but going against social convention that makes things work better.
August 21st, 2019 at 12:15 PM ^
It is happening at other schools. In the main story, it mentions that Myles Sims' waiver was denied along with Antonneous Clayton from Florida. Luke Ford (Arkansas) has his waiver denied at Illinois. Shawn Robinson (TCU) had his waiver denied at Mizzou. Matthew Baldwin (Ohio St) had his waiver denied at TCU. Braxton Burmeister (Oregon) had his waiver denied at Virginia Tech. Cam Rising (Texas) had his waiver denied at Utah.
Michigan was just unfortunate that Luke Fickell and James Hudson tried to run a publicity campaign to appeal their waiver in a last gasp. And now it looks like the Sims' family will try to do the same. The NCAA tightened the restrictions on waivers earlier this summer, and many of these coaches who were promising kids waivers when recruiting them are now shifting blame to schools from where the kids were transferring when they get egg on their face when the waiver is denied. I am not surprised this is happening at schools like Cincinnati and Georgia Tech who have been heavily recruiting transfers and then appealing for waivers. Georgia Tech had three transfer players have waivers denied in the last 24 hours (Sims, Clayton, and Marques Ezzard). Three! Is that Jim Harbaugh's fault?
August 21st, 2019 at 4:46 PM ^
This post should definitely be at the top.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:18 AM ^
Can't blame these parents for trying every angle possible to get their sons eligible to play immediately. This is getting ridiculous however. People are allergic to accountability it seems.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:31 AM ^
I don't agree with that sentiment. May be I am an idiot but teaching your son lying is ok to get what you want is not the best way to look at the future. I am probably naive
August 21st, 2019 at 11:18 AM ^
Oh FFS. This is just getting absurd. Either there should be NO waivers or each kid should get one freebie. The current process is just ugly and stupid.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:28 AM ^
77 grad. Don't know these new-fangled abbreviations, so I look them up.
Source - Urban dictionary:
August 21st, 2019 at 11:33 AM ^
LOL!! I thought I was old!!!
August 21st, 2019 at 11:39 AM ^
FFS - how old are ya?
August 21st, 2019 at 11:44 AM ^
53... It was the definition of AF (yesterday) and FFS that got me! I love that you looked them up - I skimmed over until I figured them out...
August 21st, 2019 at 12:02 PM ^
Just a young un! Go Blue! Let us all age gracefully!
August 21st, 2019 at 11:19 AM ^
This is a no-win situation for teams.
Everybody knows that in the vast majority of these situations, a player is transferring to get playing time. There are the obvious exceptions where a player has been lied to (Shea) or has family issues they need to attend to, but mostly, transfers occur because a guy wants to get on the field and can't at his current school.
Unfortunately, the NCAA's current rule demands some sort of pretext for the transfer if a player wants to avoid sitting out a year, and under the current enforcement, that pretext can be pretty flimsy (uh, Justin Fields and Tate Martell?). This puts the responsibility on the player's current school - the one he's transferring away from - to help give the player some sort of reason he can claim to become immediately eligible. As Harbaugh has highlighted with Hudson and now Sims, this puts pressure on them to tell a white lie to help out their former player.
This whole system is stupid.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:21 AM ^
Another one of those partial truths thing where you only state what will help the student play immediately. UM just have to start doing no comments because truth does not matter anymore. I will reserve the judgment on this particular parents until the whole truth comes out but it seems like the parents are not setting up a good example for their kids.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:22 AM ^
And then there was the lawyer who probably knows more about all this than anyone on this blog, Jim Harbaugh, James Hudson, Myles Sims, his parents and Fuke Lickell......
August 21st, 2019 at 12:13 PM ^
For the record, Mars is quoted in the AJC article:
Atlanta-based attorney Tom Mars, who has handled the waiver requests for dozens of college athletes, said that if the circumstances were as the Sims family contended, “then I think that would probably have the potential to affect the outcome because it might call into question what really prompted the transfer.” ...
Mars, while acknowledging that a discrepancy could affect the outcome of the waiver request, also said that in cases such as this, the standard procedure for the NCAA would be to call Tech “and say, this looks like a discrepancy. Can you explain it?”
August 21st, 2019 at 2:09 PM ^
right, because of the discrepancy, not because of the universities position or opinion.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:23 AM ^
On a tangential note, I noticed that the author of the AJC article is Ken Sugiura. Ken is a Michigan grad--he was in my dorm (I think--my memory is foggy this many years out--but I know I knew him freshman year) and he covered football for the Daily.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:23 AM ^
From personal experience, I’m no fan of the NCAA. First trial I ever worked on involved a suit against the NCAA for discriminating against foreign students with respect to their eligibility to compete for NCAA schools. But here, maybe the NCAA isn’t wrong.
In Myles Sims’ case, if the NCAA guidelines for waivers require that athletes have “documented extenuating, extraordinary and mitigating circumstances outside of the student-athlete’s control that directly impacts the health, safety or well-being of the student-athlete,” then the burden of proof rests on the student-athlete. Without knowing either (a) the standard of proof the NCAA used in Sims’ case, or (b) the documentary proof submitted by Sims, it’s unfair and premature to fault the University of Michigan or Jim Harbaugh for the NCAA’s refusal to grant Sims a waiver.
If Sims either (a) made false allegations about his reasons for transferring, or (b) didn’t prove that his reasons were sufficient to rise to the level of “extenuating, extraordinary and mitigating circumstances outside of (Sims’) control that directly impacts (his) health, safety or well-being,” then neither Jim Harbaugh nor the University of Michigan should be blamed for the NCAA’s refusal to grant Sims a waiver.
Fault the NCAA, if you will, for not adopting Jim Harbaugh’s proposal that would allow every student-athlete to be immediately eligible to compete after a free, one-time transfer for any reason.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:24 AM ^
Glad this kid is no longer on the team