A comprehensive guide to today's NCAA report and previous investigation coverage
Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez and university President Mary Sue Coleman listen to athletic director Dave Brandon discuss the results of a 14-month NCAA investigation into the school's football program.
Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com
A 14-month long investigation into the Michigan football program ended Thursday when the NCAA released its final report.
In the end, the NCAA added another year of probation onto Michigan's own set of self-imposed sanctions.
"There were no surprises and there will be no appeal, because there is nothing to appeal," said athletics director Dave Brandon. "Effective today, this process is over and done and we can focus all of our time and energy on the future."
AnnArbor.com staff members filed the following reports from today's NCAA teleconference and Michigan's ensuing press conference:
• In our main news story, David Jesse reports: Dave Brandon on end of NCAA investigation: 'We admitted our mistakes and are moving forward'
• Michigan football beat writer Pete Bigelow adds: NCAA says Rich Rodriguez guilty of major rules violation, 'but not as egregious as originally alleged'
• Mike Rothstein names the winners and losers in the NCAA investigation
• Staff photographer Melanie Maxwell put together a video report from the Michigan press conference
• News reporter Kyle Feldscher hit the streets to get reaction from Michigan football fans, who say they're relieved and looking forward (with video)
• Rothstein hosted a live chat during the teleconference and press conference. That transcript can be found here.
• And, we offered the following reader poll:
PREVIOUS COVERAGE AnnArbor.com has been covering the investigation since potential violations were raised in an August 2009 Detroit Free Press report, through an NCAA Committee on Infractions meeting in Seattle nearly a year later. Here is a chronological look back at those stories:
Allegations Released • 8/30/09: Michigan investigating allegations of excessive practice time in its football program • 8/30/09: Chad Henne: Players complaining about Michigan football team's off-season program 'don't want to be the best' • 8/31/09: Rich Rodriguez defends University of Michigan's practices against NCAA violation allegations • 8/31/09: Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez emotional at press conference • 8/31/09: Bill Martin: Michigan may hire an outside firm to assist in investigation • 8/31/09: Video of Rich Rodriguez: 'We know the rules; we go by the rules' • 8/31/09: Opinion: Rich Rodriguez takes criticism personally, and it showed on Monday
NCAA Investigation of Allegations • 9/2/09: Former chair of NCAA infractions committee to assist in Michigan football investigation; player interviews have begun • 9/4/09: A Michigan football parent speaks out against alleged rules violations • 10/26/09: Michigan receives notice of inquiry from NCAA about practice violations • 10/27/09: Rich Rodriguez on NCAA investigation: 'We'll see where it takes us'
Internal Audit Released • 11/16/09: Michigan football team didn't file practice logs, internal audit says • 11/18/09: Mary Sue Coleman standing behind Rich Rodriguez, coach's agent says • 11/18/09: Rich Rodriguez: 'I know what happened' with absent practice logs • 11/19/09: Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman, regents mum on NCAA investigation
Michigan Briefing • 2/23/10: NCAA: Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez didn't do enough to monitor staff • 2/23/10: Michigan football program faces 5 NCAA violations, university has 90 days to respond • 2/23/10: Quality-control coaches at the center of NCAA allegations against Michigan football • 2/23/10: A look at the key figures in the NCAA Notice of Allegations sent to Michigan • 2/23/10: Opinion: Concerns about Rich Rodriguez and Michigan's football program shouldn't be brushed aside
Ongoing Coverage • 3/14/10: At stake for Michigan football program in NCAA case: practice time, probation • 3/14/10: Michigan faces 'formally informal' hearing with potentially grave consequences • 3/14/10: Michigan likely to lose practice time; some don't think that's a big deal • 3/14/10: Questions and answers: Where do things stand for the Michigan football program? • 3/16/10: Accused graduate assistant Alex Herron no longer part of Michigan football program • 4/27/10: Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon says the university is on schedule for its response to the NCAA
Self-Imposed Sanctions/Response to Allegations • 5/17/10: Michigan to announce self-imposed sanctions against football team, will announce specifics next week • 5/24/10: Michigan to self-impose penalties today, probation, loss of practice time expected • 5/24/10: Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez: 'Everything's going to be OK' • 5/25/10: Michigan admits to violations, self-imposes probation, practice restrictions • 5/25/10: Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez's response: Lots of blame to go around • 5/25/10: A list of minor violations reported by Michigan's football program since 2005 • 5/25/10: Michigan revamps compliance policies following investigation • 5/25/10: Analysis: Michigan relieved for now, but NCAA investigation isn't over yet • 5/26/10: Experts say Michigan faces uphill battle in fighting NCAA charge against Rich Rodriguez • 5/26/10: Quick response to NCAA should help Michigan limit damage done to reputation • 5/27/10: Michigan football investigation could lead to more changes by NCAA
Ongoing Coverage • 6/13/10: Opinion: Michigan's apology a rarity in college sports these days • 7/4/10: NCAA investigation: Michigan has spent a half million dollars and counting • 8/5/10: NCAA accuses Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez of violations at West Virginia • 8/6/10: NCAA attorney: Avoiding show-cause order a must for Michigan, Rodriguez • 8/8/10: Michigan compliance staff frequently pushed football program - but not Rich Rodriguez - for practice-hours forms • 8/8/10: Coaches, compliance office staff say good relationship necessary to adhere to NCAA rules
Hearing in Seattle • 8/14/10: Dave Brandon: Michigan had 'a fair and thorough hearing' with the NCAA Committee on Infractions • 8/14/10: Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon issues statement after meeting with NCAA committee • 8/14/10: Michigan's hearing with the NCAA Committee on Infractions under way 8/12/10: Michigan officials and football coach Rich Rodriguez head to Seattle to defend the program
Comments
BlueFan62
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 1:35 p.m.
Michboy40: I agree. Sorry I missed mentioning that. Thank you for reminding me. I will give rr credit and kudos for that. With that being agreed to and acknowledged: Everyone knows that one aw crap wipes out 1K atta boys. rr is way on the negative side so far. Anyone else know of any positives that I missed? Let's see: Gary Moeller had one aw crap and he was fired. When did the standards change?
clownfish
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 9:07 a.m.
Oops, sorry, NOT VT, WVU... my bad!
clownfish
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 9:05 a.m.
Oh, I forgot to mention his lawsuits: Sued by Virginia Tech for breaking a contract, he lost. Involved in lawsuits in regards to land developments that went bust. Had business dealings with a booster that was banned from the Clemson program. Then there is the loss of several athletes, many of whom left the program because of the poor values being coached in the lockeroom, and his abuse of players. Then there is his inability to take responsibility for his program. Sounds like a great guy!
clownfish
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 9 a.m.
Lets see: RR had the worst record in UM history: 3-9 The next year he went 5-7. with a 1-7 record in Big Ten play. So far in 2010 he is 5-3, with victories over also-ran teams, MAC and ND. He is 1-3 against Big Ten Teams. He has been found guilty of violating rules put in place by the governing body of collegiate athletics (is it true he NEVER read the rule book?!)and his program has been placed on probation. All for about $6,000,000. So, what is it that earns him this die hard love from fans?
michboy40
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 7:37 a.m.
Bluefan62, He did bring in the Mealer family an help them in a way that many other coaches would not have bothered with.
3 And Out
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 6:26 a.m.
I dont mean this personally to Rich Rod...Im sure he is a fine family man who has raised 2 children....however as a Head Coach At Michigan, he has shown himself to be stubborn beyond reporoach, miscalculating in evaluating player talent, miscalculating when evaluating his coaching staff, dismissive of the importance of having a stout defense in the Big Ten, far too pridefall about his offense which in reality is an average BT offense at best, far to loyal to his lackies, either stupid or not bothering with compliance...either of which is an indictment on his core issue: guy only cares about his offense and how he looks in the eyes of the media...it is Narcissism with a capital N and it must be stamped out at Michigan. Bring us a coach who cares about building a winning and respectful / classy program at Michigan. RR can not do it, it is against his nature as a coach....which is all about him.
Stephenb1707
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 5:28 a.m.
I agree on the hair plugs and taking responsibility for the program. I own a business and I alone take responsible for the actions of all that work for me. RR is in a dream world, over his head and he has no idea how to run a respectable program. Please let me know when and where the going away party is, I want to contribute.
OSUbeBetter
Fri, Nov 5, 2010 : 12:56 a.m.
Michigan has self imposed a four year Bowl Ban starting two years ago.
GettingBluer
Thu, Nov 4, 2010 : 9:29 p.m.
If RR were here for 15 years, he'd still be mostly starting freshmen. He can't build a program, coach players up, inspire anyone (other than the Koolaid drinkers), stop himself from kicking others under the bus, take responsibility for ANYTHING, or WIN.
BlueFan62
Thu, Nov 4, 2010 : 9:04 p.m.
Whether you feel the NCAA rules are a bunch of baloney or not, it is what it is. rr committed 5 major infractions. Although I did not attend U of M, I have been a fan of their football, hockey, and basketball teams since the mid 50s. I have been trying to give rr the benefit of the doubt. However, I can not think of one thing he has done, since arriving at Michigan to make the program better. He admitted to not even reading the rule sheets given out at 5 different meetings. He is being investigated at WVU for the exact same violations. His won lost record is horrible. His Big Ten record is a joke. His refusal to admit the 3-3-5 will not work is just ridiculous. The only "rival" games he has won are against nd whom everyone beats! I am at a loss to find anything positive he has done. I will be willing to cut him some slack if someone can come up with something positive that rr has done at Michigan.
2sweetblue
Thu, Nov 4, 2010 : 9:03 p.m.
Orlando wish I had the same kool aid as you...... But back to reality. What happened to the logs Rich? I bet he puts the blame on whoever left. That guy probably got a real nice payout. Rich rod is an embarrassment and he always has an excuse, There are reason players are leaving but for all the kool aid drinkers you all said third year before we can judge. I don't care if the D is young it's called building a program. He has failed to do that. I hope you all can support the new coach
orlandomichfan
Thu, Nov 4, 2010 : 8:28 p.m.
this whole thing was crap.a witch hunt. the rr haters dont like this, but they will keep the hate coming..they dream about harbaugh, he isnt coming here, hearing that almost everyday makes me laugh..i want to win more or just as much as everyone else..now we have this witch hunt behind us..we can now move forward, now rr needs to get some defense, then we will be okay go rr gooo blue
clarklaker
Thu, Nov 4, 2010 : 8:03 p.m.
should have left RR in happy valley
JimB
Thu, Nov 4, 2010 : 7:53 p.m.
Looks like RR needs more hair plugs to fill out his hair line.