Tag: Michigan

Michigan running back Blake Corum (2) is seen on the field on crutches before the start of the Fiesta Bowl against TCU on Saturday, Dec. 31 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. H3 3755

Michigan RB Blake Corum to sit out spring practices

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Michigan running back Blake Corum plans to focus on rehabbing his injured knee during spring practice and return for a “full summer cycle” with the Wolverines in early June.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh said on Thursday that Corum is where he needs to be in his recovery from a knee injury that kept him out of the College Football Playoff semifinals.

“He will probably be full go sometime around June,” Harbaugh said Thursday.

After rising to Heisman Trophy favorite status in October, Corum was limited late in the season. He weighed the 2023 NFL Draft only briefly due to December knee surgery. He likely would not have been cleared to test and compete in pre-draft workouts.

Corum finished 11th in the nation in rushing with 1,463 yards and fifth with 18 touchdowns without playing in the Big Ten championship game or College Football Playoff semifinal loss to TCU. Corum required left knee surgery to repair an injury he sustained Nov. 19 against Illinois.

The junior attempted to play with a brace against rival Ohio State, but was limited to two carries for six yards.

–Field Level Media

Dec 4, 2021; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterbacks coach Matt Weiss against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan had proof former co-OC accessed others’ computer accounts

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In a termination letter to former co-offensive coordinator Matt Weiss, Michigan said it had evidence that he had “inappropriately accessed the computer accounts of other individuals” and was firing him with cause after he failed to respond to a request to meet with school officials.

Weiss was fired Jan. 20. The letter was released to multiple news organizations Monday via a public records request.

Michigan had placed Weiss on leave Jan. 17 and requested he meet with officials on Jan. 19 to discuss the alleged wrongdoing. Weiss did not show, according to the letter.

“Because you did not attend this meeting and offer any additional information, we are making our decision based on the evidence that we have,” executive associate athletic director Doug Gnodtke wrote in the letter. “Based on the evidence it appears that you have inappropriately accessed the computer accounts of other individuals in violation of SPG 601.07. As a result, your appointment has been terminated with cause.”

The code Gnodtke cited asks members of the campus community “to be good stewards of the university’s information resources and data, and use them in a safe, responsible, ethical, and legal manner.”

Further specifics about the alleged computer crimes were not yet known. The university did not release the evidence it said it had, citing exemptions under state law.

The university’s chief of police, Melissa Overton, told the Detroit News Monday that its investigation remained active.

The Detroit News and ESPN previously reported that Weiss’ home in Ann Arbor was searched by police on Jan. 10. Police also investigated Schembechler Hall, the home base of the Wolverines’ football program on campus.

Weiss, 39, had just completed his second season on Michigan’s staff. After 12 seasons working for John Harbaugh on the Baltimore Ravens’ coaching staff, Weiss was hired by Harbaugh’s brother Jim in 2021 to serve as the Wolverines’ quarterbacks coach. The co-offensive coordinator title, shared with Sherrone Moore, was added between seasons.

“I have nothing but respect for the University of Michigan and the people who make it such a great place,” Weiss tweeted following his firing. “I look forward to putting this matter behind me and returning my focus to the game that I love.”

–Field Level Media

Michigan State Spartans cornerback Khary Crump (14) and Ohio State Buckeyes long snapper Bradley Robinson (42) share words after a punt return. Syndication The Columbus Dispatch

Michigan State’s Khary Crump gets probation for tunnel brawl

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Michigan State defensive back Khary Crump was sentenced Tuesday to 12 months of probation and 80 hours of community service for his role in the tunnel brawl at Michigan in October.

The sentence resolves Crump’s plea deal earlier this month. He pleaded guilty Jan. 5 to misdemeanor counts of assault and battery and disorderly person jostling after initially being charged with felony assault.

Crump was captured on video swinging his helmet at Michigan’s Germon Green in the tunnel following the Wolverines’ win over the Spartans at Michigan.

“I would love to regain the respect from the Spartan community and also the U-M community, in terms of on the field and off the field, to show that’s not really how I want to define myself,” Crump said in court Tuesday.

Crump was sentenced by Judge Miriam Perry in Ann Arbor’s 15th District Court under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act, which allows the 21-year-old to have the charges dismissed and wiped from his record once he successfully completes probation.

Aside from the legal proceedings, Crump will still have to sit out the first eight games of the 2023 season in accordance with a suspension issued by the Big Ten.

However, Mike Nichols, Crump’s attorney, said Tuesday he plans to petition the conference to reduce the ban.

“Proportionality to me is important,” Nichols told the Detroit Free Press. “And 12 games is simply not proportional.”

–Field Level Media

The Michigan Wolverines take the field for the season opener against the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders on Saturday, August 31, 2019 at Michigan Stadium. Michigan tunnel

Michigan to expand access to tunnel following Michigan St. incident

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The University of Michigan will remove a section of 45 seats to expand access entering and exiting the tunnel at Michigan Stadium, the athletic department confirmed to news outlets Monday.

The decision was the result of a safety review of the famed stadium following the 2022 football season. A letter first obtained by MLive said the athletics department will remove a “small but entire section of movable seats that previously extended from the tunnel.”

The safety report said the decision “directly stems” from an Oct. 29 incident when Michigan hosted Michigan State — but not the altercation that led to eight Spartans players being suspended for allegedly assaulting two Michigan players after the game.

During that game, a spectator “reached down and came in physical contact with Spartans coach Mel Tucker, touching his head,” according to the report.

The Big Ten later reprimanded Michigan for its game management policy while fining Michigan State $100,000 for the players’ conduct.

The planned changes won’t alter the actual dimensions of the tunnel, but create more space for players and coaches to travel between the field and the locker rooms.

Michigan Stadium will increase its standing-room-only space elsewhere in the building by 45 to maintain its capacity of 107,601, the largest stadium in the country.

The ugly altercation between players in October led to seven of the Spartans players involved facing criminal charges, including a felony for one. Michigan State defensive back Khary Crump, who was seen on video swinging his helmet at defenseless Michigan player Gemon Green, accepted a plea deal that included pleading guilty to two misdemeanors.

–Field Level Media

Dec 4, 2021; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines assistant coach Matt Weiss against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan fires co-OC Matt Weiss after investigation

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Michigan fired co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Matt Weiss on Friday amid an investigation into computer-related crimes on campus.

“After a review of University policies, the athletic department has terminated [his] appointment,” read a statement from athletic director Warde Manuel. “Consistent with university policy, we will have no further comment on this personnel matter.”

Weiss, 39, who was placed on leave Tuesday, released a statement Friday on social media.

“I have nothing but respect for the University of Michigan and the people who make it such a great place,” he posted on Twitter. “I look forward to putting this matter behind me and returning my focus to the game that I love.”

The Detroit News and ESPN reported that Weiss’ home in Ann Arbor was searched by police on Jan. 10. Police have also investigated Schembechler Hall, the home base of the Wolverines’ football program.

“The University of Michigan Police Department is investigating a report of computer access crimes that occurred at Schembechler Hall during December 21-23, 2022,” University of Michigan deputy chief of police Crystal James said in a statement, without naming Weiss. “Since this is an ongoing investigation there is no additional information to share.”

Further details about the nature of the crimes are not yet known.

Weiss just completed his second season at Michigan. After 12 seasons working for John Harbaugh on the Baltimore Ravens’ coaching staff, he was hired by Harbaugh’s brother Jim in 2021 to serve as the Wolverines’ QBs coach. The co-offensive coordinator title, shared with Sherrone Moore, was added between seasons.

Michigan is coming off a 13-1 season with a Big Ten title and a loss to TCU in the College Football Playoff semifinals.

–Field Level Media

Dec 4, 2021; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterbacks coach Matt Weiss against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan co-OC Matt Weiss on leave amid reported investigation

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Michigan placed co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Matt Weiss on leave, an athletic department spokesman told multiple outlets Tuesday, as the university’s police department investigates his potential involvement in computer-related crimes on campus.

The Detroit News and ESPN reported that Weiss’ home in Ann Arbor was searched by police on Jan. 10. Police have also investigated Schembechler Hall, the home base of the Wolverines’ football program.

“The University of Michigan Police Department is investigating a report of computer access crimes that occurred at Schembechler Hall during December 21-23, 2022,” University of Michigan deputy chief of police Crystal James said in a statement, without naming Weiss. “Since this is an ongoing investigation there is no additional information to share.”

Further details about the nature of the crimes were not yet known.

Weiss, 39, just completed his second season on Michigan’s staff. After 12 seasons working for John Harbaugh on the Baltimore Ravens’ coaching staff, Weiss was hired by Harbaugh’s brother Jim in 2021 to serve as the Wolverines’ quarterbacks coach. The co-offensive coordinator title, shared with Sherrone Moore, was added between seasons.

Michigan is coming off a 13-1 season with a Big Ten title and a loss to TCU in the College Football Playoff semifinals. Jim Harbaugh said Monday that he will be back in 2023, turning down reported interest from NFL teams. The program also received a notice of allegations from the NCAA this month for Level I and II violations.

–Field Level Media

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh watches a play against Ohio State during the second half at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022. 2022-11-26-harbaugh

Jim Harbaugh remaining as U-M head coach

Posted on | by Field Level Media

After another flirtation with the NFL, Jim Harbaugh is returning to coach Michigan in 2023.

“I just got off the phone with Coach Harbaugh and Jim shared with me the great news that he is going to remain as the Head Coach of the Michigan Wolverines,” university president Santa Ono tweeted Monday. “That is fantastic news that I have communicated to our Athletic Director Warde Manuel.”

“I love the relationship that I have at Michigan – coaches, staff, families, administration, President Santa Ono and especially the players and their families. My heart is at the University of Michigan. I once heard a wise man say ‘Don’t try to out-happy, happy’. Go Blue!” Harbaugh said in a statement.

It marked the second time this month that Michigan publicly celebrated Harbaugh honoring the basic terms of their agreement.

On Jan. 5, Harbaugh released a statement that he was “aware of the rumors and speculation” regarding his future. “While no one knows what the future holds, I expect that I will be enthusiastically coaching Michigan in 2023,” Harbaugh said.

Michigan football retweeted that statement with the headline, “A Michigan man through and through.”

Harbaugh reportedly had had a conversation — not an interview — with Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper about that team’s coaching vacancy. He was also expected to generate interest from the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts, with The Athletic reporting that Harbaugh was all but gone from Michigan if he gets an offer from an NFL franchise.

Harbaugh signed a five-year, $36.7 million contract extension last season following significant discussions with the Minnesota Vikings. He discussed the opening with the Vikings twice, including an in-person sit-down with ownership on National Signing Day, only to ultimately return as Wolverines head coach.

Michigan first hired Harbaugh as head coach in 2015. The Wolverines are 74-24 under Harbaugh with five consecutive bowl game losses since winning the Citrus Bowl in 2015.

The former Michigan quarterback, who played in the NFL from 1987-2001, last coached in the NFL from 2011-2014, guiding the San Francisco 49ers to five playoff wins, a 44-19-1 record and an appearance in Super Bowl XLVII.

–Field Level Media

Georgia coach Kirby Smart celebrates after winning the NCAA College Football National Championship game between TCU and Georgia on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. Georgia won 65-7. News Joshua L Jones

Top dogs: Georgia No. 1, TCU, Michigan, Ohio State follow in final poll

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TCU finished runner-up in the national championship game and the Horned Frogs were No. 2 behind Georgia in the final AP Top 25 poll released Tuesday.

The Bulldogs (15-0) began the season ranked third and defended their national title on Monday night in a 65-7 rout to cap the first repeat in College Football Playoff history.

Georgia received all 63 first-place votes.

TCU (13-2) was unranked to begin the 2022 regular season but won 13 games to reach the championship game. Michigan (13-1), which lost in the CFP semifinals to TCU, finished third in the Top 25 ahead of Ohio State (11-2), Alabama (11-2), Tennessee (11-2), Penn State (11-2) and Washington (11-2). The Huskies finished the season with seven consecutive wins. UW is ranked in the final poll for the first time since 2018.

Ranked No. 1 entering the season, the Crimson Tide beat Kansas State 45-20 in the Sugar Bowl with their only losses this season to sixth-ranked Tennessee (52-49) and LSU (32-31). The Tigers (10-4) landed at No. 16 in the season-ending poll.

Alabama was the last team to finish consecutive seasons ranked No. 1 (2011, 2012).

No. 9 Tulane (12-2) moved up five spots on the strength of the Green Wave victory over USC in the Cotton Bowl. The 46-45 loss dropped the Trojans (11-3) four spots to No. 12.

–Field Level Media

Michigan running back Blake Corum (2) is seen on the field on crutches before the start of the Fiesta Bowl against TCU on Saturday, Dec. 31 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. H3 3755

‘Love for Michigan’ draws RB Blake Corum back to Wolverines in 2023

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Blake Corum is running back to Michigan.

A Heisman candidate for most of last season, Corum announced his plans to play for the Wolverines in 2023 on the “Rich Eisen Show” on Monday and followed with a statement shared via social media.

“My goals have always been about leaving an enduring legacy at the winningest program in the history of college football. Motivated by my profound love for Michigan and commitment to my education, I have decided to return for another season. It is an honor to be a student-athlete at the University of Michigan.”

ESPN reported the 2023 NFL Draft was only a brief consideration for Corum due to December knee surgery. He would not likely have been cleared to test and compete in pre-draft workouts.

Corum finished 11th in the nation in rushing with 1,463 yards and fifth with 18 touchdowns without playing in the Big Ten championship game or College Football Playoff semifinal loss to TCU. Corum required left knee surgery to repair an injury he suffered Nov. 19 against Illinois.

The junior logged two carries against Illinois and attempted to play with a brace against rival Ohio State, but was limited again to two carries.

–Field Level Media

Michigan tight end Luke Schoonmaker (86) runs after a reception while TCU safety Millard Bradford (28) chases during the first quarter of the Fiesta Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 31 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. 2022-12-31-michigan-fiesta

Michigan TE Luke Schoonmaker turns pro

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Michigan tight end Luke Schoonmaker entered the 2023 NFL Draft.

Schoonmaker had one year eligibility remaining due to pandemic rules but was a fifth-year senior.

He caught 38 passes for 418 yards and three touchdowns in 2022 as the Wolverines’ No. 1 tight end. A sprained shoulder limited him in the final month of the season.

He had one reception for 32 yards in the College Football Playoff semifinal loss to TCU.

League coaches named Schoonmaker a third-team All-Big Ten pick in 2022. He was honorable mention in 2021.

Schoonmaker caught 54 passes for 637 yards and seven touchdowns.

Field Level Media rates Schoonmaker among the top five tight ends in the draft at 6-foot-6, 248 pounds.

–Field Level Media