Irish Breakdown

The Most Insulting Part of Michigan Controversy is Being Ignored

The NCAA findings on Jim Harbaugh are overshadowing the other moral misfire that doesn't seem right.

John Kennedy

Jan 13, 2024; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh talks to athletic director Warde Manuel during the national championship celebration at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024. Mandatory Credit: Junfu Han-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2024; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh talks to athletic director Warde Manuel during the national championship celebration at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024. Mandatory Credit: Junfu Han-USA TODAY Sports / Junfu Han-USA TODAY Sports

After an over eight-month-long investigation into the alleged sign stealing saga, as well as the COVID dead period allegations that occurred before this all started, the NCAA is beginning to reveal some of its findings and disciplinary actions to be levied upon some of the actors involved.

Jim Harbaugh has been hit with a four-year show cause and a one-year suspension from anything college football-related, mostly for not being as cooperative as he should've been.

There are two different ways this ruling can be interpreted. One way is to think that the sanctions being levied on Harbaugh are pointless because they are all related to the college game. And since he is now an NFL coach with no plans to return to college, they essentially mean nothing.

But on the other hand, considering the NCAA is hammering Harbaugh this hard for seemingly insignificant infractions and procedural failings compared to the higher-profile alleged cheating scandal case, what punishments may be heading Michigan's way for anything that might have happened if there are findings and rulings against anything else? (If the NCAA finds there's anything there against its rules, by the way.)

The Larger Scale Moral Insult That Isn't Being Recognized

While the college football world waits to see if the NCAA hits Michigan with any sort of punishment - or even finds wrongdoing - regarding the Connor Stalions case, another moral misfire has taken place that seemed to fly under the radar.

Shortly after the new year and amid Michigan winning the national championship - but being embroiled in multiple ugly off-field controversies - Michigan's athletic director, the one who is allegedly in charge of all things Michigan sports, was awarded the prestigious role of becoming the expanded College Football Playoff's committee chair.


What process could lead the "powers that be" to decide that the athletic director currently embroiled in multiple scandals - and show clause just levied against the former coach - was the best fit to assume this ultra-important role for the future of the sport?

Because the College Football Playoff committee didn't have enough PR problems after last year ...

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John Kennedy
JOHN KENNEDY

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