Last week the NCAA made its final ruling on punishments for the infamous Michigan sign-stealing scandal from 2023. To say it was a slap on the wrist would almost be too harsh. The punishment amounted to an easily-payable fine and some similarly-light recruiting restrictions.

Michigan was spared a postseason ban and vacating wins, including from the 2023 national title season when the inquiry was launched that October.

The recent NCAA report detailed a fractured dynamic between the football program and the school’s compliance department.