Desmond Howard scolds Big Ten coaches demanding action against Michigan: 'I don't understand the rush to judgement'

At the moment, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone in Big Ten country, if not nationally, who was very pleased with Michigan in regard to their sign-stealing investigation. Even so, Desmond Howard wants everyone to hold their horses when it comes to a punishment that could impact this season.

Howard made his point during an appearance on ‘Get Up’ on Friday morning. He understands what’s out there but that the other coaches in the league shouldn’t be getting as hasty as they are considering how it would feel if he reversed the roles.

“It’s still an allegation and there’s information coming out every week,” started Howard. “I listened to a broadcast yesterday that said the coaches wanted the commissioner of the Big Ten to take immediate action and they wondered what he was waiting for.”

“My question is, well, if this was your program that these charges were made against, these allegations were made against, would you want the commissioner to skip due process and let the NCAA do their job? Or would you want to give your program a chance to go through all of the information, all of the facts, and then defend themselves?” Howard asked. “I don’t understand the rush to judgment by some of the coaches in the conference. If the tables were turned? They would never want anybody to rush to judgment.”

The fact of the matter is that there’s a lot to sort out up in Ann Arbor. Ever since the report broke for the first time, all kinds of receipts have surfaced in connection to Connor Stalions.

With that much to comb through, there’s no way for anyone to make a ruling just yet. Still, if it were up to opponents around the Big Ten, the undefeated Wolverines would be in much more trouble now than what will likely be a long, drawn-out process.

As Howard said, though, he wants a fair process to take place regarding his alma mater. As frustrated as those around the conference might be, all he wanted to remind them of was that, one day, the shoe might be on the other foot.

Howard assesses how Michigan will focus amid the sign-stealing investigation

The actions of Stalions have taken a lot away from the fact that Michigan remains one of the best teams in the nation. Unethical allegations aside, the Wolverines are 8-0 and remain in the hunt for a third straight Big Ten Championship as well as a third consecutive berth in the College Football Playoff.

However, with all this outside noise and criticism, how can the blue & maize lock in after a week off? That’s what Howard, as he continued on ‘Get Up’, said he will be taking note of on Saturday when Michigan hosts Purdue.

“To me, as a player, a former player? It’s much easier to avoid distractions when you’re in a constant routine. You’re going to practice, you’re going to school, you’re going to meetings – blah, blah, blah. But when you have an open week, a bye week? And now you may be on your phone a little bit more? You may pay a little more attention to TV. Or you may just be accessible to other people that you’re not normally accessible when you’re going through your routine,” explained Howard. “Now, I want to see if it has trickled in.”

The good news is that, based on his sources, Howard isn’t expecting a letdown against the Boilermakers. He believes the Wolverines are going to take the right approach amidst this mess and continue to step closer to their title hopes this weekend.

“The reports I’m getting out of Ann Arbor is that, no, these young men understand and they know the mission,” said Howard. “We’re going to find out tomorrow night, when they play Purdue, if the mission is still moving forward.”