Jim Harbaugh, who has an illustrious history of oversigning, is once again in the news for alleged unethical roster management.
Ondre Pipkins, a former four-star recruit and a player on a guaranteed four-year scholarship, is alleging that Jim Harbaugh pushed him to quit:
From Joe Schad of ESPN.com:
Defensive lineman Ondre Pipkins told ESPN that Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, head athletic trainer Paul Schmidt and associate athletic director Jim Minick asked him about 10 times over a two-month period to sign a medical scholarship form that would have ended his career with the Wolverines before he wanted it to.
"I feel I'm healthy and ready to play," said Pipkins, who played last season after he was cleared to return from a torn knee ligament. "I don't want to sign the form. I wanted to play for my seniors and for the team. Coach Harbaugh said, 'I recommend you take the medical.'"
Jim Harbaugh said today he's still part of the team, although he's not allowed to workout with the team:
"After consulting with our medical team, we do not think it is in Ondre's best interest as it relates to his health and welfare to play football, short or long term," Harbaugh said in a statement given to ESPN on Friday. "He remains on full scholarship and counts toward the 85 scholarship limit in pursuit of graduation from the University of Michigan."
Pipkins went onto state that Harbaugh has given another player a deadline of July 1st to get healthy, otherwise he'll make him sign his medical waiver.
Michigan insider Steve Lorenz says he heard Ondre and the new staff weren't seeing eye-to-eye, but that he's also heard from two separate people that Ondre is indeed healthy enough to play.
Pipkins did note that he intends to transfer for his senior season.
(Somewhere in the distance, Tommy Schutt just took a big ol' sip of tea.)
