Frank Clark Dismissed From Program
Following the release of very disturbing details of Frank Clark's arrest on charges of domestic violence early Sunday morning, Michigan announced today that Clark is no longer a part of the football program. The full statement from Brady Hoke:
“Frank Clark has been dismissed for violating team rules from the Michigan football program. This is a tragic situation. Our student-athletes will be held accountable when their actions fail to meet the standard we have at Michigan. There is a legal process that will occur and we respect that process.”
This was the only acceptable course of action given the situation. Thoughts go out to the alleged victim and her family.
November 17th, 2014 at 11:28 AM ^
November 17th, 2014 at 11:29 AM ^
Obviously the victim comes first, but I hope Frank gets the counseling he needs.
November 17th, 2014 at 11:37 AM ^
Healing needed all around and definite growth/learning needed for Clark.
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November 17th, 2014 at 12:16 PM ^
if by counseling, you might getting his ass whooped, i agree.
November 17th, 2014 at 11:29 AM ^
As it should be. Brady Hoke made a informed decision. This is not FSU
November 17th, 2014 at 11:59 AM ^
I think it's best to not bring up any other schools and realize these issues come up everywhere.
November 17th, 2014 at 12:47 PM ^
November 17th, 2014 at 11:29 AM ^
While I believe in due process, there was no other option at this point, particularly considering his past disciplinary history.
Anyway, at this point in his career, dismissal from the program is equivalent to suspension while the legal process takes its course.
November 17th, 2014 at 12:32 PM ^
I'd say dismissal is much more severe. Depending on what type of suspension, he could have still participated in practices, S&C, training table, etc. Dismissal I would assume means he will no longer be a part of any football related activity.
November 17th, 2014 at 11:29 AM ^
This is a really sad turn of events for Clark. Hopefully he can own up to this and get the help he needs so this never happens again.
November 17th, 2014 at 11:41 AM ^
It's a sad turn of events for Clark, sure, but even more so for the woman and children he was terrorizing. My thoughts and prayers will go to them, and hopefully Frank will be punished appropriately for his actions. Good for Brady. He made the right decision.
November 17th, 2014 at 1:32 PM ^
all around. . .
November 17th, 2014 at 11:31 AM ^
For two years now, the U-M player who has been the hero in the Northwestern game has fallen from grace. Brandon Gibbons last year, Frank Clark this year.
November 17th, 2014 at 11:31 AM ^
Sorry, I'm stupid.
November 17th, 2014 at 11:58 AM ^
We did have a BRANDON fall from grace this year too,albeit for conduct that was not criminal in a legal sense.
November 17th, 2014 at 12:05 PM ^
Is destruction of public records a civil offense?
November 17th, 2014 at 11:31 AM ^
This is absolutely the correct decision, and I'm glad Hoke didn't waste any time.
That being said, I wish he'd had someone proofread his statement, because that first sentence is really, really poorly written. I'd also like to think that this was more than "violating team rules." More like "violating basic human decency." But I'm just glad this was handled swiftly and unambiguously, as far as Michigan Football is concerned.
November 17th, 2014 at 11:35 AM ^
Eh, I get why they say it that way. They're not going to say it's for domestic violence because, as they note, there is a process for that in the justice system. But we can see the pictures and read the details, and the standards of the team don't require proof beyond a reasonable doubt, particularly when the player involved already has a strike against him.
November 17th, 2014 at 11:47 AM ^
Also, there are privacy laws regarding what Hoke can say about an enrolled student. "Violating team rules" is probably all he's legally allowed to say.
November 17th, 2014 at 11:47 AM ^
Also, there are privacy laws regarding what Hoke can say about an enrolled student. "Violating team rules" is probably all he's legally allowed to say.
November 17th, 2014 at 11:53 AM ^
But why even say "violating team rules?" It makes no sense. Just say "Frank Clark has been dismissed from the Michigan football program." and leave it as that. It is the right decision but again, a bizarre way to say it.
November 17th, 2014 at 12:13 PM ^
You do have to have a reason for dismissing a player. Unless it's for academics, that's the one most programs give.
November 17th, 2014 at 5:05 PM ^
Because then tons of reporters (and bloggers) will pester the athletic department with questions like "Why did you dismiss him?" "Why won't you tell us why you dismissed him?" "Why won't you answer my questions?" "What are you trying to hide?" "Did he order the Code Red?"
A minimalist answer at least shuts down some of that. I listened to most of Hoke's press conference this afternoon --- and while he never said "he was dismissed for assaulting his girlfriend", it was clear to everyone that was the reason, so nobody pestered him about the decision.
November 17th, 2014 at 11:57 AM ^
Yeah, I mean, I don't really have a problem with saying it's a violation of team rules, because it absolutely is. Whatever, it's splitting hairs. He could have just easily said Clark was dismissed without putting a label on it, too. In the end, however, Clark is gone, and rightfully so. That's what counts.
November 17th, 2014 at 12:18 PM ^
Probably required to have a justification for it, also. Can't just say, "So-and-so is dismissed" with no reason given, although in this case it's obvious.
November 17th, 2014 at 11:33 AM ^
November 17th, 2014 at 11:48 AM ^
the response says more about the program than the incident itself.
November 17th, 2014 at 11:58 AM ^
I'd be significantly more concerned if we didn't dismiss Frank. This is good news as far as I'm concerned - we aren't an FSU or an Urban Meyer run school. There are standards, no matter how crappy we get
November 17th, 2014 at 12:06 PM ^
Who are you CNN? "Program Free Fall 2014!!!!!!" *cues menacing music*
November 17th, 2014 at 12:07 PM ^
Football players will do stupid things and get arrested. It's pretty tough to have a completely incident-free program. What separates some programs from others is how they respond afterwards.
November 17th, 2014 at 11:32 AM ^
November 17th, 2014 at 11:32 AM ^
November 17th, 2014 at 11:33 AM ^
was done, given the horrendous circumstances.
November 17th, 2014 at 11:33 AM ^
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November 17th, 2014 at 11:34 AM ^
That was obvious. Contrast to the Gibbons situation -- here it was public and forced Hoke's hand. Anyone shudder to think what would have happened if no one picked up on the police report. (Not that that ever happens in 2014.) Would we have gotten a "left team for personal reasons" excuse? We can only speculate, and it's kind of irrelevant, as Hoke won't have a job past early January here.
But more interesting is what the NFL will do. Two years ago, heck even a year ago, Clark gets drafted. But in light of the Rice/Pederson situations... is he toxic? Does he come in as a free agent? I guess he can't be suspended under the CBA b/c he's not an employee at the time of the transgression. So what do teams do, do they all have to pretend he doesn't exist?
After all due respect to the victim and the perp, I think on a bigger social/sports viewpoint, this is a fascinating problem for the NFL. What they heck do they do with a guy like this who clearly is good enough to be in the NFL talent-wise, but, is a PR nightmare.
November 17th, 2014 at 11:35 AM ^
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November 17th, 2014 at 11:49 AM ^
November 17th, 2014 at 11:34 AM ^
2014 you can die now.
November 17th, 2014 at 11:58 AM ^
2015 baby, it's gonna be our year...
November 17th, 2014 at 12:28 PM ^
In 2067 and 2068 when we play Texas and Oklahoma that is when the pax michigania will begin.
November 17th, 2014 at 1:04 PM ^
But mainly because of Michigan's future freshman sensation starting quadruple option quarterback named Cluge McJackson.
November 17th, 2014 at 11:35 AM ^
why I think we all still have some like for Brady, is his stance on players doing illegal / bad/ dumb shit stuff. Show them the door, if that doesnt help them correct their course then who knows what will.
I have been reading alot of FSU comments here and its hard not to think of it that way...Jamis Winston has done how many illegal / bad / dumb shit things? Annnnd he still plays every Saturday.
Good for Brady
November 17th, 2014 at 12:16 PM ^
Jameis Winston has not played every saturday. he was benched vs Clemson:
http://deadspin.com/espn-showed-jameis-winston-onscreen-48-times-during…
November 17th, 2014 at 11:37 AM ^
Ugh. Hope the victim gets the help she needs.
I have very little desire to parse the details of this whole unfortunate shit sundae, but - at not completely immoral cesspools - what is generally considered the standard for "indefinite suspension" vs. outright getting booted?
November 17th, 2014 at 11:41 AM ^
I'm sure this would also get a freshman dismissed, but "indefinite suspension while the legal system plays out" and "dismissed from team" are almost definitely the same thing for a senior in mid-November.
November 17th, 2014 at 11:56 AM ^
the end of Clark's senior season - there is no opportunity for a extended suspension while the legal system processes - so in this case it is a dismissal.
And the decision is the right decision.
November 17th, 2014 at 12:01 PM ^
Additionally to previous responses, besides him being a senior 2-3 games away from eligability expiring, he is already on a second chance from breaking into someone's dorm and stealing their laptop. So there are probably quite a few reasons this was a pretty immediate dismissal as opposed to an 'indefinite suspension'.
November 17th, 2014 at 11:36 AM ^
Absolutely the right decision.
November 17th, 2014 at 11:38 AM ^
November 17th, 2014 at 11:41 AM ^
I dont think this has anything to do with the programs general direction overall. Actually seeing that our program handled this correctly and quickly makes me all the more proud to be a fan of Michigan.
Too bad for Frank, and my thoughts go out to the victim, just a bad situation all around, but Michigan handled it perfectly unlike so many other teams (FSU) and coaches (fisher).
Meant as reply to Commie_High96
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