ANN ARBOR, Mich. – 2023 was a year of sports controversies and scandals.
Despite dominating their competition, the Wolverines were plagued by sign-stealing allegations, firings, suspended coaches and social media banter.
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Looking for our most-read stories? Check this out.
Here are the sports stories readers spent the most time with:
1. Charles Woodson stars in hilarious new commercial about Michigan not having a mascot
From November: Football star Charles Woodson, and his Ohio State buddy Eddie George, found out why the Wolverines don’t have an actual Wolverine as a live mascot. Watch the commercial here.
2. Many Michigan fans plan to boycott ‘College GameDay’ before Ohio State game
From November: When ESPN’s College GameDay show came to town, Wolverine fans said “No, thank you.”
Fans took issues with how biased the network and show hosts were of sign-stealing allegations lobbed at Michigan football. Here are the details.
3. If sign-stealing leaks were meant to push Harbaugh out of Michigan, that plan might have backfired
From November: Speaking of sign stealing, the NCAA’s allegations seemed to have the opposite effect.
Fans and the University of Michigan president, regents and athletic director all stood behind the Wolverines’ head coach Jim Harbaugh during the scandal. Read this article for more.
4. ‘Bet’: Several Michigan football players take to social media after Jim Harbaugh suspension
From November: “Bet” was the response several Michigan football players had after the Big Ten suspended coach Jim Harbaugh for three games.
The players posted their support on social media. Read the tweets here.
5. Report: Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh not linked to sign-stealing allegations by NCAA
From November: Amidst allegations that former Wolverines recruiting analyst Connor Stalions, initial findings by the NCAA found that Jim Harbaugh was NOT connected to the incident.
The Big Ten suspended him anyway. Here are the details.
6. Big Ten suspends Jim Harbaugh less than 24 hours before Penn State game
From November: Like I said, the Big Ten suspended Harbaugh during the sign-sealing scandal.
The organization was pretty sneaky about it and waited until the Wolverines were on their way to Penn State to issue the suspension. This is the conference’s statement on the matter.
7. Michigan football reveals game dates for full 2024 schedule
From November: In addition to destroying opposing teams, Michigan football released its full 2024 game schedule.
The Wolverines will kick off Big Ten play at home against USC then go on the road in week 6. Here’s the schedule.
8. ESPN: Michigan football co-offensive coordinator Matt Weiss placed on leave following police investigation
From January: Here’s what started the Wolverines’ year of scandals.
Michigan Wolverines co-offensive coordinator Matt Weiss was put on leave following a police investigation involving computer access crimes. U-M police and AAPD were both looking into the crimes. Check this out.
9. Michigan football sign-stealing case: What we know as possible Jim Harbaugh punishment looms
From November: Wow, here’s a blast from the past.
Way back at the start of November -- before we knew what we now know -- everyone was speculating on what would happen to Michigan football when the sign-sealing allegation broke. Here’s what we know at the time.
10. What Santa Ono said today when asked if Jim Harbaugh will be Michigan football coach next season
From November: When asked pointedly if he supported Harbaugh, U-M President Santa Ono didn’t exactly say “yes.”
“I hope so,” Ono said. “Like I said, we have to wait and see what happens with all these investigations. He is a great coach and means a lot to the institution.” Watch Ono’s comment here.