NCAA inconsistency on display yet again in Michigan football case

Recently, Tennessee football received an $8 million fine and a six-year “show cause” for former coach Jeremy Pruitt as a result of 200-plus individual violations, including 18 Level I (serious) in nature. The Volunteers avoided a bowl ban and will skate forward without any disruption to recruiting or in preparation for the season.

Meanwhile, in Ann Arbor, Michigan is preparing to play its first four games without head coach Jim Harbaugh, and possibly a few other coaches, on the sideline. U-M negotiators have been collaborating with the NCAA over potential punishment for Harbaugh over alleged recruiting violations. Now, a Yahoo report has emerged that they are working toward a four-game suspension for the coach as well as punishment for a few Michigan assistants, including one game each for offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore and tight ends coach Grant Newsome.

Yes, seriously. Such is the logic of the NCAA. Their message — telling them you don’t remember a minor incident in which you bought burgers for committed recruits during a dead period is as bad or worse than serious recruiting violations, even the pay for play that’s been going on under their noses for years.

Those are the “major” allegations levied against Harbaugh, along with assistants watching a Zoom video of a recruit when they weren’t supposed to and having an analyst to perform some coaching duties on the field. Meanwhile, programs around the country are dropping bags of money for recruits under the guise of NIL while Harbaugh and Co. have taken a “transformational, not transactional” approach — and the NCAA turns a blind eye.

They always talk a good game, and they are again when it comes to play for play, determined to “take action.” U.S. senators have even proposed legislation to deal with the issue. In reality, neither is in position to stop it, and they probably know it. Those who are doing it have been at it so long they’ve perfected the practice without leaving a trace.

So … that’s where we are, and it’s unlikely to change. ‘It’s okay to buy players and championships, but dammit, don’t buy a burger for a couple of unexpected visitors and claim you don’t remember! Whatever will become of the sport if we allow that to happen?’

Such is the genius of the NCAA. If and when this body dissolves, it will be a day to celebrate. Some have even suggested this was likely leaked on their end for some reason, possibly as a way to get Michigan to comply.

But don’t expect Harbaugh to say anything at Big Ten Media Day. It still hasn’t been resolved, and his attorney, Tom Mars, set the tone for any potential response in a note to ESPN.com.

“We are continuing to work cooperatively with the NCAA staff on an enforcement matter. At this time, we are not allowed to comment on possible penalties or other aspects of the matter,” Mars wrote, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Chances are he’ll do plenty of talking after the fact. As he noted in February, “compare us to perfect and we’re going to come up short. In the major areas, compare us to any other program. I think you’re going to see that it doesn’t get any better.”

Not to the NCAA, however, which once again is the butt of jokes just about everywhere but select towns of Michigan rivals for its latest display of silliness.

The post NCAA inconsistency on display yet again in Michigan football case appeared first on On3.