Michigan's Jim Harbaugh was threatened with suspension by NCAA last fall for lawyer's social media criticism. <CBS Sports article by Dodd>
In a "letter of admonition" to attorney Thomas Mars obtained by CBS Sports, current NCAA Committee on Infractions chair Dave Roberts wrote in October 2023 that if Mars didn't halt his posts criticizing the NCAA's investigative process "the COI will consider appropriate penalties, including immediate suspension of your client."
The letter ends with seemingly a final warning from Roberts that read, "There will not be any further admonitions …"
I found the fact that the NCAA released their statement and punishment of Michigan over some essentially meaningless infractions today on the very day the portal opens up to be another petty shot by a flailing organization against its favorite whipping boy - A whipping boy that just so happens to hold the largest crown under their organization’s purview. It’s amazing when the NCAA behaves like a sparty or buckeye troll, and yet we continue to wear the crown. 🏈🤴🏿
April 17th, 2024 at 11:39 AM ^
Can we just stop with “meaningless” infractions and “cheeseburgers.” The infractions, while hardly earthshaking, were actual infractions involving multiple coaches recruiting during the Covid dead period. That’s no small thing, and has a public health element. Stop whining and dissembling.
April 17th, 2024 at 12:01 PM ^
In the grand scheme of life and what other schools are doing, this most definitely a very small thing.
April 17th, 2024 at 12:24 PM ^
Still seems like very small potatoes. If they are going to nitpick every school out there for the same petty crap, then fine. But they are the kings of selective enforcement, and we are the ones on which they are focusing. They could find these infractions elsewhere, but choose not to. Or they are so bad at enforcement that they have to wait until a pathetic ex-employee hands them what they need.
April 17th, 2024 at 12:44 PM ^
Multiple coaches doing multiple unrelated things including a Zoom call at the wrong time and working with a high school kicker who wasn’t good enough for a Michigan scholarship.
April 17th, 2024 at 12:52 PM ^
Great point. Because feeding already committed recruits a Brown Jug cheeseburger and fries when the traditional venues (like dormitory cafeterias) are closed to non-residents of the dorm and campus outsiders - is far, far worse than inducing a player to commit with a Lamborghini- or spending $280K+ for a prospect’s OV.
April 17th, 2024 at 11:39 AM ^
This is laughable. In addition to the other suits they are dealing with they are toying around with a suit on Freedom of Speech? Good luck with that
April 17th, 2024 at 12:28 PM ^
Like it or not, this was NOT an NCAA vendetta against Michigan, but 100% directed at a guy they despised. UM let them save face by agreeing to this wimpy penalty. It's all in the past now.
The NCAA has always been a petty, arrogant, dictatorial bunch. It is dying, but it is far from dead. When it comes to disciplining schools and coaches, it still has enough power to recklessly do damage. Warde did exactly the right thing since his HC had moved on. Let's focus on 2024 and beyond.
The NCAA will probably wait until sign-gate is over and announced another settlement with UM that includes a fine. Just because we are on probation doesn't mean this second case adds weight. We were not under probation when sign-gate came out. They are totally independent. JH is going to get some kind of show-cause combined just because the NCAA needs to fletch its dying muscles a few more times. But he'll be laughing it off at 16MM/yr in sunny LA.
NCAA can pound sand!
If Harbaugh had re-signed at Michigan than he is agreeing to the forfeiture of his constitutional rights to the fickle whims of people that don’t like him.
Can’t imagine why that would make somebody look for greener pastures. at this point with built-in biases, anybody coaching at Michigan faces this and the more egregious institutions will not face any such thing, but this is somehow good for the student safety and sanctity of the agreeing members.