NCAA explains why it didn’t seek to vacate Michigan wins over sign stealing
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The long-awaited conclusion to the Michigan sign-stealing scandal — a saga that has captivated college football for 2 years — finally arrived on Friday when the NCAA announced its ruling and subsequent punishment following a lengthy investigation.
In a nutshell, Michigan will forfeit its postseason revenue over the next 2 seasons while head coach Sherrone Moore faces a 3-game suspension. Former coach Jim Harbaugh, now with the Los Angeles Chargers, was hit with a staggering 10-year show-cause order that effectively bars him from returning to college football until 2038.
Despite these significant penalties, Michigan will not be required to vacate any wins or face a postseason ban.
At a press conference on Friday, several members of the NCAA’s infractions committee explained why.
“There was insufficient evidence in the record that the outcome of games was affected,” said Kay Norton, chair of the D1 Committee on Infractions.
This statement underscores a critical aspect of the case; despite overwhelming evidence pointing to other infractions, it became clear that Michigan’s performance on the field remained untarnished. Another factor influencing this decision was the desire to protect current players on Michigan’s roster from undue punishment.
“Vacation of records is only in play when there is ineligible competition. That was not a factor in this case,” said Norman Bay, the case chief hearing officer. “It was not a penalty that could be considered.”
Thus, it seems that while accountability is paramount, fairness towards student athletes also played a crucial role.
As this chapter finally closes for Michigan football, one cannot help but reflect on what lies ahead. The legacy of Jim Harbaugh and his remarkable national championship run will forever be etched in history—after all, they can’t take that away from them! With fall camp wrapping up soon, Now they can lock in for their season opener against New Mexico on Aug. 30 at 6:30 p.m. ET at Michigan Stadium.
Lee Ann joins the Saturday Down South team, bringing over fifteen years of experience covering the SEC as both a sports journalist and football scout. With her keen eye for talent, she has also flexes her skills as the Director of Recruiting for the Rebel Walk( Ole Miss) Herring, is a staff writer at USA Today Sports Wildcats Wire, where she dives into the thrilling world of Kentucky football and basketball. When fall rolls around, you can catch her on air as an analyst for the Wake up 502 College Football Show on Big X Sports Radio 96.1 FM—because who doesn't love a good game day chat? A proud Brown University alum, Lee Ann balances her time between the sidelines and press box with her passion for coaching her boys' youth lacrosse and savoring a fine glass of bourbon alongside a good cigar. So, whether she's dissecting plays or rallying the next generation of athletes, Lee Ann is your spirited insider ready to tackle all things SEC!
