The University of Michigan has self-imposed sanctions in its football program for violating NCAA rules.The sanctions—which relate to quality-control staff and practice and training time—follow a cooperative investigation with the NCAA and are detailed in a response to a Notice of Allegations the institution received Feb. 22, 2010. The response also outlines actions already taken to prevent similar violations from occurring in the future.”As we have said all along, we take full responsibility for knowing and following NCAA rules, and we will address concerns, quickly and head on,” said U-M President Mary Sue Coleman. “We believe the sanctions we have imposed fit the nature of the violations.”The U-M posted its response online May 25, a day after the NCAA received it. In February, the U-M shared the Notice of Allegations publicly the week it received the document, and conducted interviews on the subject.”We have made every effort to be as transparent as possible—to do this in the light of day,” said David Brandon, athletic director. “We’ve made some mistakes as a program—we know that. We also have learned from this experience, we’ve made some necessary improvements, and now, we are eager to move forward.”Coach Rich Rodriguez said he and his staff are committed to adhering to NCAA rules, and working closely with the compliance office to assure the football program is fully compliant.”We’ve already made some positive changes,” he said.U-M’s response will be reviewed at a hearing before the NCAA Committee on Infractions Aug. 13-14, 2010. The committee is expected to issue its findings in the fall.U-M findings, detailed in its response include the following:
- The U-M exceeded the limit on the number of coaches allowed. As a result, the institution has reduced the number of quality-control staff members by 40 percent and prohibited them from attending practices, games and coaches meetings for the remainder of 2010. And, though the NCAA has adopted a new bylaw that allows non-coaching, sport-specific staff to attend coaches meetings, the U-M will not allow its quality control staff to take advantage of the new bylaw until 2011.
- The U-M violated the restrictions on practice and training time (countable athletically related activities, or CARA.) The institution estimated its football program exceeded the CARA limits in 2008 and 2009 by 65 hours, and has self-imposed reductions in practice and training times on a 2:1 basis, for a total of 130 hours during the next two years.
- The U-M did not adequately monitor its football program in the areas noted above.
- Coach Rodriguez agrees there were instances where mistakes were made in monitoring some areas under his control.
- The U-M disagrees with the NCAA enforcement staff that Rodriguez failed to promote an atmosphere of compliance within the football program. The information gathered during the investigation demonstrates that Rodriguez has been committed to both compliance with NCAA bylaws, and with the academic success of his student-athletes during his time at the university. Rodriguez has been responsive to direct requests from the compliance and academic support staffs.
- U-M will issue letters of reprimand to seven individuals who shared in the responsibility for these violations occurring over an extended period, and one dismissal has occurred as a result of an issue of integrity.
- U-M has taken corrective measures to prevent these or similar violations from occurring in the future. For instance, the university already has implemented a “fail-safe” procedure to help ensure internal tracking in a timely, effective way.
- U-M found no evidence of student-athlete abuse, nor any evidence that its employees disregarded student-athlete welfare. This is in stark contrast to early media reports.
- While U-M could be considered a repeat violator as a result of a May 8, 2003, men’s basketball case, the institution does not believe it is warranted in this instance.
david ramsey - 1953,1954,1962
throw him out!!!
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Bill Reinhold - 1956
Please give Coach Rodriquez a break!
I think he has done remarkably well, under the circumstances. Instead of trying to be the nice guy, I think now is the time to really bear down. Go Blue!!
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Daniel Jankowski - 1960, 1961, 1964
It was not too long ago when a Michigan football coach resigned in the aftermath of certain unpleasant conduct. Now we have an experienced coach who seemed unable to follow rules that he should have known about. Will there be any real consequences? I guess we’ll see. Where is next Bo or Carr or Yost? Go Blue!
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Roger Miracle - 1962
Winning is a powerful healing force and it is time for Coach Rodriguez to start winning…..like at least 8 games this season. Maybe that will help ease the pain of the past 2 disastrous seasons.
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Sandra Gommel - 1962
I am appalled that my alma mater, a #1 class institution hired Rich Rodriguez in the first place. His coarse profane behavior is and was well known prior to his arrival at U of M. He is a laughing stock here in the West; he has denigrated our fine University…it is shameful and a tragedy, and his supposed coaching skills appear to be questionable. The team doesn’t seem to be able to produce results under his direction, and he lacks integrity. What foolishness for the football program to be in its current predicament. I trust David Brandon is taking this under very thoughtful advisement. Unfortunately, we, yes “we” (all constituents of the U of M)are affected by the choice of this coach.
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Bob Merchant - 1968
I agree fully with Ms Gommell. The new coach does not appear to reflect the University Michigan values (educational, intellectual, and moral ones to follow the rules), does not appear to get respect from others in his profession, maybe not even from his players, can not win important or even trivial games, gets paid an outrageous salary, and cost wasted dollars to buy out his contract. Maybe this is the new state of college sports, but it doesn’t mean that Michigan has to sink to the same level.
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Richard Tromley - 1954/59
I am 78 years old. I knew and remember nothing but “good” regarding Michigan football – then Rich arrived. What has gone wrong – don’t we know how to spot integrity anymore?
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Art Roa - 1985
Rich Rodriguez is a winner!
Give him a chance to prove himself this year
he has a winning history and is knows how to winin this cllegiate environment
He will not dissapoint.
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Glen Fillion - 1971
Come on folks! Michigan has seen its share of embarrassments over the years. Think of Gary Moeller’s demise and the “Dump Bump” movement of 1967. Let’s not get too worked up about the relatively minor transgressions of Rich Rod. Give him a chance. He is beginning his 3rd year in transforming the team to his system, and any idiot would know that it takes time to get the recruits and instill the mental requirements.
I for one could not believe the complexity of the NCAA rules regarding practice time and coaching. Fielding Yost would roll over in his grave.
At the same time I miss the simplicity and innocence of the time before big time college football lost a certain sense of perspective. It was a time when you could buy a ticket on game day for a pittance, and enjoy the likes of Ron Johnson riding over Wisconsin for a Big Ten single game rushing record in a rainstorm.
Now, the merchandizing has diminished the Michigan M in my eyes, and skyboxes serve only the elite. Is this the price of success?
Let’s keep things in perspective. Let’s get behind Rich Rod and Go Blue.
Glen Fillion
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Amr Hafez - 1980
If Coach Rod looked like he was building, or even maintaining the program, I can see keeping him. However, he seems totally ignorant of all the great accomplishments of his predecessor and has all but destroyed the recruiting pipeline.
I think it is time to admit the huge mistake that hiring this man was, and cut our losses.
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Joe Rex
I have been a Michigan fan for 20 years. Rich is not my first choice as Carr’s replacement if he could not go undefeated at West Virgina and win a national title what make you people think he can do it in the Big Ten. He needs to be fired after this year no matter what kind of success he has. Go out and get Les Miles like you should have done to begin with. All that had to be done was wait til LSU won or lost the national title that year and he would have taken the job. Les played for Bo, graduated from Michigan, and he knows the great tradition of our football team there for he is the perfect coach for Michigan Football.
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Ismail Singleton - N/A
I grew up in Ann Arbor. In fact I spent my first two years in mariage student housing, while my father finished his masters. One of my sisters is a Michigan alum. My twin brother, youngest sister and I are University of South Carolina. I was at homecoming against Indiana. I love Maize & Blue football. We need to get Harbaugh! Michigan has lost some respect with Rodriguez. I never like this hire. We need to stick with how we play football. Pro style power football with a strong defense. The SEC schools are moving away from the spread. I’ve lived in South Carolina the last 21 years. People no longer fear Michigan. I understand it was too late in the year to fire Rich Rod last spring. I say after he must go after this season unless he makes a major bowl.
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