Michigan Athletics: A Pattern of Trouble?

The University of Michigan's athletic department has seen a lot of drama lately. In just three years, they've had some serious issues. First, there was Mel Pearson, the men's ice hockey coach. He was let go after an investigation found a "toxic environment. " Players were pressured to lie about Covid-19 contact tracing, and female staff members were verbally abused. Then, there was Juwan Howard, the men's basketball coach. He was suspended after smacking an opposing assistant coach during a postgame handshake. Later, he was fired after the 2024 season. Howard also had a run-in with a staffer over his son's playing time, leading to a Title IX complaint. Matt Weiss, a football co-offensive coordinator, was fired after being accused of hacking into student-athletes' accounts to steal intimate photos. He pleaded not guilty to federal charges. Jim Harbaugh, the football coach, was benched twice during the 2023 season. First, for recruiting violations, and then for a sign-stealing scandal. Harbaugh denied knowing about the sign-stealing, but the NCAA handed out major punishments, including a 10-year show cause penalty for Harbaugh. Now, Sherrone Moore, the new head football coach, has been fired. He was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. Moore was also suspended for his role in the recruiting violations. The university is investigating, and the situation is getting more complicated. The question is: Is this a pattern of behavior, or just a series of unfortunate events? The university's response has been mixed. They've drawn hard lines in some cases, but in others, they've moved slowly. The "Michigan Man" myth is also under fire. This term was meant to indicate a successful way of doing things, but now it's seen as evidence of an echo chamber. Most of the coaches involved in the scandals were "Michigan Men. " The university's athletic department is in the spotlight, and the future of athletic director Warde Manuel is in question. The board of regents held a call to discuss his future, but he remains in his role for now. Moore's dismissal led to a chain of dangerous events. He broke into the woman's apartment, threatened his own life, and was arrested. He was charged with one felony and two misdemeanors. The situation is complex, and the university is trying to figure out what's going on. They've hired a law firm to investigate, and they're encouraging anyone with information to come forward.