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Podcast: Michigan's NCAA sanctions drop, Wolverines appeal

Anthony Broomeby: Anthony Broome08/15/25anthonytbroome
NCAA Football: Michigan at Washington
Oct 5, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Michigan Wolverines director of athletics Warde Manuel stands on the sidelines during the fourth quarter of a football game against the Washington Huskies at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

The Michigan Wolverines football program learned its fate from the NCAA on Friday with a hefty fine, projected in the $30 million range, show-causes for Jim Harbaugh, Connor Stalions and Denard Robinson and a suspension for head coach Sherrone Moore.

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The NCAA on Friday said:

“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. The recruiting violations, then-assistant football coach (and current head football coach) Sherrone Moore’s failure to cooperate violation and Michigan’s failure to monitor violation are Level II. 

“Two involved individuals — former assistant football coaches Jesse Minter and Steve Clinkscale — agreed to violations and penalties associated with their actions in agreements approved by the committee via the negotiated resolution process.”

Michigan chose to wait a few hours before responding publicly, saying that it would be appealing the decision in a process that now drags things out a little further, in addition to hinting it may be willing to take legal action.

“We appreciate the work of the Committee on Infractions,” the statement began. “But, respectfully, in a number of instances the decision makes fundamental errors in interpreting NCAA bylaws; and it includes a number of conclusions that are directly contrary to the evidence – or lack of evidence – in the record. We will appeal this decision to ensure a fair result, and we will consider all other options.”

TheWolverine.com’s Anthony Broome and Clayton Sayfie discuss the NCAA’s punishments handed down to Michigan football, the appeal from U-M and more.

Watch or listen using the video player above, on our YouTube channel, or listen to the show on either Apple or Spotify.