Accused graduate assistant Alex Herron no longer part of Michigan football program

Herron was a graduate assistant last season when the NCAA said he twice "provided false and misleading information" to its enforcement staff and university investigators about whether he monitored offseason workouts.

A Michigan spokesperson declined to say why Herron is no longer with the program or what led to his departure.

Michigan faces possible probation and other penalties if its found to have violated five NCAA rules. Experts said the university can minimize its punishment by self-imposing some penalties. One measure the school is expected to take is disassociating itself with Herron.

Five other quality control assistants alleged to have watched voluntary offseason workouts against NCAA rules - Adam Braithwaite, Dan Hott, Josh Ison, Eric Smith and Bryan Wright - are still with the program.

Braithwaite was promoted to safeties coach, Hott and Smith are now graduate assistants, and Ison and Wright are staff interns. Michigan re-named its quality-control assistants staff interns this offseason.