NCAA issues show-cause punishment to former Michigan assistants Jesse Minter, Steve Clinkscale for recruiting violations

Recruiting violations involving the Michigan Wolverines have seen another wave of punishments handed out by the NCAA. Former Michigan assistant coaches Jesse Minter and Steve Clinkscale have been issued a show-cause for their involvement, according to The Michigan Insider.

“Minter, the former defensive coordinator, received a one-year show-cause; Clinkscale, the former secondary coach, received a two-year show-cause,” Alejandro Zuniga said.

Both Minter and Clinkscale currently work for the Los Angeles Chargers under Jim Harbaugh. They followed Harbaugh from Michigan into the NFL. Neither has seen their role change too much, as Minter is still the defensive coordinator while Clinkscale is serving as the defensive backs coach.

“The agreed-upon violations involve multiple impermissible early recruiting communications with a prospect prior to June 15 of his sophomore year of high school,” an NCAA statement said of the former Michigan defensive coordinator. “Minter was aware that these communications were impermissible but did not report the violations to the school’s compliance department.”

As for Clinkscale, the NCAA said “the agreed-upon violations involve impermissible benefits provided to prospects and/or their families during their recruitment. Clinkscale and the enforcement staff also agreed that after his separation from Michigan, Clinkscale failed to fully satisfy his obligation to cooperate with the investigation when he did not provide complete information during an interview, though he eventually acknowledged the violations and his involvement in them.”

The show-cause will only kick in if either Minter or Clinkscale decides to leave the NFL for college football during the punishment period. Minter would have to leave his position with the Chargers ahead of the 2025 season and Clinkscale would serve the penalty in 2026 as well. However, you have to imagine neither guy is leaving Los Angeles anytime soon.

Back in Ann Arbor, the Wolverines are getting ready for an important season under Sherrone Moore. It’s the second year of his tenure following a disappointing 8-5 season. A lot of talent recently just left the program via the 2025 NFL Draft but expectations are still going to be high.

Michigan will open the year against New Mexico on Aug. 30. One week later will be the big nonconference matchup on the schedule, traveling to Norman to play Oklahoma. From there, a normal nine-game Big Ten slate starts on Sept. 20. As usual, everyone will have the final Saturday of the regular season circled with Ohio State coming to town — looking to win five in a row.