Michigan to launch investigation

UPDATE: An emotional Rich Rodriguez addressed the media today in Ann Arbor in the wake of allegations that he and his staff have repeatedly broken NCAA regulations. On several occassions, Rodriguez had to pause to collect himself. It's no secret that Rodriguez wears his heart on his sleeve and today's press conference confirms that. Also of note, the Big Ten Conference has had investigators in Ann Arbor since yesterday.

I don't think Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez wanted the season to start like this. After coming off a dreadful 3-9 season in 2008, the University of Michigan will be investigating allegations that Rodriguez is not complying with NCAA rules regarding off-season mandatory workouts during 2008 and 2009. Hardly a way for Rodriguez to attempt to get back into the good graces of the Ann Arbor faithful.

The Detroit Free Press published a story on Sunday in which current and former Wolverine players accuse Rodriguez of going too far regarding off-season workouts and the amount of time spent on "football activities". As is always the case, it depends on who you talk to as to which story you get.

The NCAA has a rule that only 8 hours a week are required for the off-season workouts. Players state that they would spend two to three times that allowable 8 hours. The players can exceed the 8 hour limit, but it must be voluntarily and not mandated. One anonymous player paints a different picture.

“It was mandatory,” the one player said. “They’d tell you it wasn’t, but it really was. If you didn’t show up, there was punishment. I just felt for the guys that did miss a workout and had to go through the personal hell they would go through.”

If it was truly a voluntary workout, attendance shouldn't be taken, right? According to NCAA rules, there should be no coaches and/or staff (except for a trainer in case of injury) present during voluntary workouts. The above statement provides a totally different view. The coaching staff knew if a player did not attend the workout due to the "personal hell" statement. How could the coaches know? Two ways. Players ratted on their teammates or there was actually staff present. I know which option sounds more logical.

But the alleged violations do not stop there.

The NCAA mandates a 4 hour daily limit on football activities. On Sundays after games, the players were spending about 9 hours on the same activities. The NCAA also mandates a weekly limit of 20 hours. Reports from players say that amount of time was regularly exceeded as well.

It is also alleged that Rodriguez's quality-control staff were seen watching 7-on-7 drills. Again, a trainer can be present, but no other coaches and/or staff are permitted to be in attendance of these drills. These drills are to be strictly voluntary and run by the players themselves. The QC staff are to provide administrative and other support functions for coaches; however, they are not permitted to interact with the players during games, practices or workouts. The mere fact they were present at these drills could be deemed as a violation.

Rodriguez and the University of Michigan issued a statement on Saturday to the Free Press concerning the allegations. The coach offered this:

“We know the practice and off-season rules, and we stay within the guidelines. We follow the rules and have always been completely committed to being compliant with all NCAA rules.”

So it looks like Michigan is preparing for two opponents: its own coaching staff (and possible NCAA investigation on top of its own) and the Western Michigan Broncos. The Broncos are not to be taken lightly. They were 9-4 in 2008 and averaged almost 30 points a game. The passing game is extremely potent with QB Tim Hiller and WRs Jamarko Simmons and Schneider Julien. The Wolverine defense will be severly tested.

This situation/investigation could get ugly. Michigan has long been considered a "clean program". These allegations shed a new light on the U of M football program. The reputation is going to be tested. In one corner, you have the players. They are saying that the rules are regularly being broken. Then you have the "administration" in the other corner. They state just the opposite. The rules are being followed and there are no worries.

Someone's lying.