Michigan won't let postseason ban happen 'without a fight'

Michigan Wolverines football running back Donovan Edwards and wideout Semaj Morgan will be key fixtures in 2024. (Photo by Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK)

After ESPN reported that an NCAA Notice of Allegations (NOA) draft against Michigan gives indication current head coach Sherrone Moore could face penalties, speculation has picked up as to the nature of penalties the program could face.

The Wolverine’s Clayton Sayfie sat down with On3’s Andy Staples to discuss the current case and what possible outcomes exist for Michigan.

There’s a high degree of fluidity in the situation still, he noted.

“Even if the NCAA did seek something like a postseason ban, Michigan would not expect that to end up happening or they certainly wouldn’t let it happen without a fight,” Sayfie said. “So I think that’s really important to note.”

There are a number of things Michigan could be penalized for and a number of ways those penalties could be enforced. One traditional method for the NCAA is vacating games and/or titles.

But Staples pointed out that’s a consequence without any real teeth, as everyone still knows who won last year’s NCAA title.

Could a postseason ban be in order, then? Sayfie wasn’t as sold on that.

“It seems like the postseason bans aren’t necessarily the way the NCAA is going as of late,” he said. “In terms of vacated title, I would see that as unlikely too. I do think Michigan fans would care, but like you said, we saw with our own two eyes what happened on the field last year. We saw what happened when Michigan was at their own disadvantage at a certain point without Jim Harbaugh, without Connor Stalions I guess you could say as well, and with Sherrone Moore having to step in as head coach.”

Other possible penalties for the staffers involved are a loss of recruiting time or other restrictions on their day-to-day activity.

In total, seven members of the 2023 Michigan staff are accused of violating NCAA rules, according to the NOA draft ESPN obtained. Of course, some, like Harbaugh and Stalions, are no longer with the program.

In any case, the NCAA is reportedly close to moving on a finalized NOA.

“So yeah, I think that the penalties will come at some point down the road,” Sayfie said. “A big fine I think is something Michigan fans and the school would be willing to accept as well.”