The Michigan football and men’s basketball programs each reported one minor NCAA violation in recent months, per records obtained by The Daily via the Freedom of Information Act.
Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh, director of recruiting Matt Dudek, defensive coordinator Don Brown, cornerbacks coach Mike Zordich, offensive line coach Ed Warinner, wide receivers coach Ben McDaniels and tight ends coach Sherrone Moore violated the NCAA dead period in January. McDaniels was an analyst when the violation occurred.
Because of a scheduling error by Dudek, the coaches made visits to high schools during the dead period, during which schools are not allowed to have contact with athletes or their parents, watch them compete or visit their schools. One prospect, unnamed in the report, took an unofficial visit during the period as well.
Though Dudek was off by just one day — thinking contact was allowed on Jan. 10 when the period lasted until Jan. 11 — eight Michigan coaches visited 25 high schools illegally. According to the report filed by the University, all of the trips were to evaluate recruits, as none were of a contactable age.
Michigan avoided serious punishment, as the violation was not intentional and classified as a Level III violation. As a self-imposed penalty, coaches were not allowed to recruit off-campus on Jan. 19, 20, 26 and 27, as well as Feb. 2. They were also prohibited from contacting the prospect who unofficially visited for two weeks, and had a reduction of 14 recruiting person days between the spring and fall evaluation, per the report. Dudek was issued a letter of admonishment. The NCAA did not impose an additional penalty on the program.
That was the only self-reported violation by the football program this calendar year, while Ohio State committed six over the last academic year, per a report by Eleven Warriors this week.
As for the basketball program, assistant coach Saddi Washington sent an impermissible text message to a 2021 recruit’s parent last Oct. 4. Contact prior to June 15 after a prospect’s sophomore year in high school is forbidden.
This was also classified as a Level III violation, though there was comparatively little action taken. Michigan’s staff couldn’t contact that recruit for two weeks after June 15. John Beilein’s program had a sterling reputation when it came to the NCAA rulebook — even a small violation comes as a surprise.
Washington was the only assistant coach retained by new head coach Juwan Howard.
Spokespeople for both the football and basketball teams declined comment.
Michigan State basketball self-reported two NCAA violation this season, per MLive, as did Ohio State, per the Eleven Warriors report.