Former Michigan football players on Ohio State investigation: 'No one was surprised'
Former Michigan cornerback Morgan Trent heard the NCAA allegations against his former rival Ohio State, and he wasn’t surprised.
After all, Trent said Friday during the annual WTKA Mott Takeover, it is kind of what they had heard through rumors before.
“I don’t think anybody sitting at this table was surprised to hear that information,” Trent said. “No one was surprised to hear that. I think everyone has known all along that something more was happening.
Former Michigan player Morgan Trent, shown in 2008, on the NCAA investigation of the Ohio State football program: "No one was surprised."
File photo
“Are they the only school in the country to do it? No. But they are starting to crack down on it, and it is too bad (they) got caught.”
Ohio State’s football program and its coach, Jim Tressel, have been accused of a litany of NCAA violations, including having players trade gear for free tattoos, having players and family of players receive discounts on car purchases and Tressel, specifically, for not being forthcoming with the information as soon as he knew about it.
Tressel, for his part in the scandal, has been suspended five games of the 2011 season.
“At Michigan, we’re by the book here, we did things the right way and are doing things the right way,” Trent said. “I can’t say that about the school down south, and, obviously, that’s coming to light what they do.
“If they are going to recruit players and get players by giving away vehicles and doing this and doing that, then more power to them, but that’s not working out for them.”
He wasn’t the only one who had strong opinions about what is going on at Ohio State.
“Karma,” former Michigan tight end Aaron Shea said. “The NCAA better come in hard on these guys.”
At least one former Michigan player, though, doesn’t want to see Tressel fired. Former running back Mike Hart wants the legendary Ohio State coach — who has beaten Michigan in nine of 10 years as head coach — on the sidelines this fall for one reason.
So Michigan can beat him.
“I’d rather beat Ohio State with Tressel as their coach than beat them with another coach,” Hart said. “Just like another school in Michigan, they’ve been real happy they’ve beaten us the past couple years. But a lot of teams have beaten us the past couple years. It isn’t anything to brag about.
“I’d much rather beat Ohio State with Jim Tressel as their coach than him not be there.”
Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by email at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein
Comments
miatamich
Mon, May 16, 2011 : 9:57 p.m.
bigtenknight: if you want to rag on Mike Hart, it's your right, but why make reference to his height? What does it have to do with anything? It's similar to people that have to make other comments about someone's personal appearance, like they're fat, ugly, etc. To me, it shows the self-esteem issues of the people making the comments. Besides, if Hart came running straight at you with the football, I'm guessing he'd pancake you.
burgansbar
Mon, May 16, 2011 : 4:25 p.m.
UM is curently on probation by "doing things by the book" and pointing fingers at another program. Hypocracy.
Gessig
Sun, May 15, 2011 : 9:13 p.m.
""At Michigan, we're by the book here, we did things the right way and are doing things the right way," Trent said." ????? When did this start? This team has embarrassed the State. The Fab5 so-called, still is an embarrassment. Brady Hoke was hired to clean up the recent scandal involving player practices where they were forced to practice outside of ncaa regulations. Who's to say Brady isn't going to do the same? Let's be real here Trent. This school has it's share of miscues. Ed Martin bought players. I'm all for school support, but you are making us look like fools to ignore our own past.
bluenella
Sat, May 14, 2011 : 11:21 p.m.
"...and it is too bad (they) got caught." "If they are going to recruit players and get players by giving away vehicles and doing this and doing that, then more power to them..." I love my Wolverines. But last time I checked, it was (and is) a privilege to secure an athletic scholarship and play collegiate football - that is the reward...along with a FINE education, especially for those who stay and graduate. I don't care what other schools do. I don't care if corruption/cars/gifts is widespread and we are supposed to accept it - I don't accept it. Go pro, if you want the cars & fame. This is Michigan, we're supposed to do things the right way, despite what any other sweater-vest-wearing coach-down-south may turn a blind eye to. So, no - it isn't "too bad they got caught." It's too bad they think it's ok, because it surely isn't.
RWBill
Sat, May 14, 2011 : 8:54 p.m.
attaboy mike, never let an opportunity go to waste.
Enso
Sat, May 14, 2011 : 2:32 p.m.
Ever since high school, I've learned that sports programs, coaches, and players are some of the most corrupt organizations and individuals in the academic world.
Mush
Sat, May 14, 2011 : 2:11 p.m.
"At Michigan, we're by the book here, we did things the right way and are doing things the right way," Trent said. Trent, you must not be aware that Michigan's football program has been recently sanctioned by the NCAA and that Michigan's basketball program has had a problem or two? The basketball scandals were the most interesting. See <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Michigan_basketball_scandal" rel='nofollow'>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Michigan_basketball_scandal</a>. Ohio State may or may not be guilty of recruiting violations, we'll have to wait for the investigation to complete.
Huron74
Sat, May 14, 2011 : 1:39 p.m.
"Football legend" or not, knowingly playing athletes that are ineligible is cheating and has to be punished if the game is to have any sort of integrity. And I will say the same thing regardless of what school it is. UM, MSU, EMU or Slippery Rock State. It's the principle of sportsmanship that is at issue here not a few autographs or signed jerseys. "Ineligible" means what it means.
OldBittyBates
Sat, May 14, 2011 : 5:52 a.m.
It's very hard to write a comment that speaks about OSU football without taking the chance of getting booted off this blog. So I'll take the high road and say a prayer for any and all sinners found at that school down south. Hopefully there's someone on the staff at annarbor.com willing to pray for my maize and blue colored soul. If I speak about the Ohio coach, I might incur the wrath of someone who's a scarlet and grey fan. I don't want to be sent permanently to the phantom zone for expressing my somewhat biased opinion. Can I help it if Jim Tressel has a slight resemblance to Darth Vader? Personally I disagree with Mike Hart, but I will keep my mouth shut regarding my true feelings (Gosh this hurts me so much).
bigtenknight
Fri, May 13, 2011 : 11:40 p.m.
So, let me get this straight Mike 'Shorty' Hart...it's nothing to 'brag' about when 'another school in Michigan' has beaten Michigan in the past years, yet the arrogance and chest thumping occurs when YOUR school beats that same 'school in Michigan'... Logical thoughts, as always, still coming out of Ann Arbor...
leathercouch
Sat, May 14, 2011 : 5:02 a.m.
was MSU in down years/rebuilding when hart when here and did the chest bumping? or was that a typical MSU team? logic did live in those statements. msu beat michgan when they went 3-8 5-7 and in MSU's most impressive, yet overachieving season in recent memory. congrats, repeat that season and the recent dominance of UofM and keep talking.