This is an opinion piece. That admission is in no way intended as a defense or an apology. Simply put, it shouts 'Shame on Michigan Football - Again'.
In the 2021, 2022, and 2023 college football seasons, the Michigan Football program systematically cheated. A cover-up by the Wolverines was unsuccessful. As always, the NCAA investigation took far too long. As described in the recently announced ruling, the NCAA found "overwhelming evidence" of Michigan's guilt.
- "Over the course of three seasons, the Michigan football program committed violations involving an off-campus, in-person scouting scheme, impermissible recruiting inducements and communications, head coach responsibility rules, individuals' failures to cooperate and Michigan's failure to monitor, according to a decision released by a Division I Committee on Infractions panel. The scouting violations orchestrated by former football staff member Connor Stalions were corroborated by interview testimonies, ticket receipts and transfer data and other evidence. Those violations, along with former head football coach Jim Harbaugh's head coach responsibility violation and most of the failure to cooperate violations, are Level I."
Along with probation, recruiting restrictions, suspensions and show causes, Michigan was fined $50,000 plus 10% of the football operating budget, plus 10% of the cost of scholarships in 2025-26 academic year, and a fine equivalent to "anticipated loss of all postseason competition revenue sharing associated with the 2025 and 2026 football seasons." Some estimates are that the total financial penalties against Michigan could exceed $30M.
How many programs would quickly and gladly kick in $30 to buy a National Championship? No doubt the number would be in the dozens. If there were any place left in the big-time college sports world for shame, it should be in Ann Arbor.
To the extent Michigan has admitted any guilt or made any apology, those actions are obliterated by Michigan's appeal of the NCAA ruling. The quick appeal is the reason for adding 'Again' to the title of this post.
Matt Hayes provided an excellent summary, "... nearly everyone in power (at Michigan) either lied, obfuscated, or destroyed evidence about an illegal scheme that most certainly played a role in Michigan winning the 2023 national title.
College Football and Buying Championships
An alternate take to be abhorred is 'sure Michigan cheated, but everybody cheats, and the NCAA is incompetent, so what's the big deal?' I'll stick with the old-fashioned belief that championships should be neither bought nor stolen by cheating.
If any site ever polls who from college sports should be on a Mt. Rushmore of cheaters, I'll vote for Will Wade, Connor Stalions, and Jim Harbaugh. An abundance of choices would be left for a fourth unrepentant offender.