Michigan's Bold Move: Fighting Back Against NCAA's Sign-Stealing Penalties
Michigan University is not taking their punishment lightly. The university has decided to appeal the NCAA's decision after being hit with serious penalties for their sign-stealing scandal. They believe the NCAA got it wrong and are ready to fight back.
The NCAA's Decision
The NCAA handed down their decision on Friday. Michigan's program is facing:
- Four-year probation
- Big fines
- Restrictions on recruiting
The fines include:
- A flat fee of $50,000
- A percentage of their budget and revenue from the next two postseasons.
- Loss of scholarship money and recruiting perks like official visits and communications during their probation.
Michigan's Response
But Michigan isn't backing down. They released a statement saying they respect the NCAA's process but think the decision is full of mistakes. They plan to appeal to get a fairer outcome.
Michigan's Athletic Director, Warde Manuel, said:
- They never meant to break the rules.
- They support their current coach, Sherrone Moore.
- A postseason ban should never have been on the table.
Penalties for Individuals
The penalties aren't just for the program. Here's what key figures are facing:
- Jim Harbaugh (former head coach): Ten-year show-cause penalty.
- Connor Stalions (behind the sign-stealing): Eight-year show-cause.
- Denard Robinson: Three-year show-cause.
- Sherrone Moore (current coach): Two-year show-cause plus a game suspension on top of the two-game suspension he already gave himself.
Looking Ahead
Moore said he respects the rules and will focus on the upcoming season. Meanwhile, Michigan is gearing up for a legal battle. They're not just going to accept the penalties—they're fighting back. This isn't over yet.