Myles Sims' family upset with Michigan over transfer waiver denial
This article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution includes quotes from both Myles Sims' parents and representatives from UM about the NCAA denying his immediate request to play this year at Georgia Tech. They allege that the official statement from Warde to the NCAA had misinformation about why Sims was transferring.
They are appealing the decision.
August 21st, 2019 at 10:43 AM ^
Bummer to see another one of these, regardless of fault. I hope they get the one time transfer rule going soon.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:12 AM ^
I look at this as Michigan wants the one time transfer position and the more people who get denied and make a fuss about it the more heat the situation gets. So the more people will get behind the one time transfer this putting the pressure on the NCAA because Michigan doesn’t play the decision maker in this situation.
So like Harbaugh keeps doing is highlighting that the NCAA is the governing body who ultimately decides the outcome.
Michigan needs to do a better job of pointing this out and associating itself with wanting to promote a one time transfer rule.
Michigan is playing the long game.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:39 AM ^
Pretty generous take.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:51 AM ^
That’s an... *interesting* read on the situation
August 21st, 2019 at 1:15 PM ^
I look at this as Michigan wants the one time transfer position and the more people who get denied and make a fuss about it the more heat the situation gets. So the more people will get behind the one time transfer this putting the pressure on the NCAA because Michigan doesn’t play the decision maker in this situation.
I could see that if players and families were citing the NCAA with their frustrations, but they are not. They are putting on UM and JH and it's not a good look for them in the eye of public opinion.
August 21st, 2019 at 1:27 PM ^
Agreed, until people start putting blame where it belongs, schools like M are going to continue to take the heat.
I have to wonder what these other coaches are telling these kids. Fickell clearly seemed happy to get the Hudson family worked up over M (were probably mostly there anyway), I have to wonder how often this happens.
No problem for NCAA, the schools become the heat shield.
August 21st, 2019 at 3:23 PM ^
Because they’re solely focused on getting their kid to play now not on the macro scale. By placing the blame on Michigan they aren’t highlighting the awful NCAA rules. They Rent biting the hand that could feed them. Instead they place blame on Michigan because all Michigan has to do is lie and it gets easier.
Michigan could spin this in a huge positive way but I’m sure they don’t wanna rock the NCAA’s boat too hard.
August 21st, 2019 at 5:52 PM ^
August 31st be here now.
August 21st, 2019 at 3:50 PM ^
I agree DirtyD, that is what appears to be happening.... may ultimately hurt UM worse than whatever win comes out of the long game though because of the negative PR and recruiting.
Seems like UM is challenging the NCAA and essentially smearing them passive-aggressively. Is fighting for a 1-time transfer rule really enough motive to justify pissing off players, college & hs coaches, etc.? Or is there something more to it?
August 21st, 2019 at 10:45 AM ^
One person bitching is a data point. Several people bitching is a bad look. I know every transfer case is unique, but these kinds of cases can be used against us in recruiting battles.
August 21st, 2019 at 10:49 AM ^
Agreed, even if the denial is legitimate and at no fault of UM, it doesn't take many people to point the finger and have it look really bad for Harbaugh/UM
August 21st, 2019 at 11:30 AM ^
I disagree. If it's no fault of Michigan's, and Michigan and Harbaugh refuse to lie about the reason a student (athlete) wishes to transfer from Michigan, I applaud Michigan for taking these "PR hits." It doesn't make them look bad.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:56 AM ^
If the player didn't specifically say he was leaving for more playing time, then don't put it in the report. If they didn't give a reason, put in the report that you don't know why he left and you don't care. That puts it back on the kid to deal with the NCAA.
Every other firm handshake or transfer ends up a shitshow anymore.
August 21st, 2019 at 1:21 PM ^
I don't remember a time before a couple of years ago when there were ever any exceptions to sitting out a year.
I suppose J. Boren will try to sue the NCAA (or B1G) for his tuition money back for transferring to an in conference school
August 21st, 2019 at 1:37 PM ^
If the kid doesn't want Michigan to say he " left Michigan for a fresh start and for playing time," he shouldn't tell them that. The idea the Michigan compliance is randomly making up reasons for players to leave school is laughable.
The reason every other transfer in the NCAA ends up a shitshow is because everyone feels entitled to have the NCAA rule that the player has “documented extenuating, extraordinary and mitigating circumstances outside of the student-athlete’s control that directly impacts the health, safety or well-being of the student-athlete” just... because.
The NCAA needs to change the rules to end the shitshow. Michigan compliance can't do anything about it (except, maybe, lie).
August 21st, 2019 at 10:50 AM ^
I'm curious what the opposing talking point is... 'when you decide that you're going to transfer from there, Michigan makes it difficult'? Who is receptive to this type of negative recruiting? How many recruits go into a school charting out their transfer exit?
Sure, I guess it looks bad. But to whom? And what "recruiting battle" is going to come down to ease of transfer?
August 21st, 2019 at 10:53 AM ^
I'd say it's a more general "Harbaugh doesn't give a shit about students" mentality. I'm not saying it's accurate, just that it paints a perception.
August 21st, 2019 at 10:57 AM ^
Sure, I guess it looks bad. But to whom? And what "recruiting battle" is going to come down to ease of transfer?
These kids have four or five years to audition for the NFL. Do you seriously think "if it doesn't work out at Michigan they won't let you leave" isn't going to cause some real second thoughts for kids and their families?
Would you accept a job that would be hard to quit when another similar job that's easy to quit is available?
August 21st, 2019 at 12:46 PM ^
I personally don't think it would be that big of deal. If the kid is really committed then they are not thinking about their exit strategy. If the kid is doing the latter, then they are not really committed.
As to your second question, I have accepted jobs with noncompete agreements. There were other jobs that weren't as good that didn't have those noncompete agreements, but I didn't choose them. Are you really choosing to have jobs that are easy to quit? Which teams of Michigan's caliber make it easy for kids to transfer easily and get immediate eligibility?
August 21st, 2019 at 1:11 PM ^
If you're not thinking of your exit options, you're pretty short sighted - even more so than high school aged football players.
August 23rd, 2019 at 10:27 AM ^
I guess I am wondering who are all these schools that are waiving the one year sit out rule without any extenuating circumstances? In order for Michigan to not deny the transfer, wouldn't it have to admit to some sort of wrong doing?
August 21st, 2019 at 2:44 PM ^
Need some current players that would speak out to contradict the claims of the transfers...of course they’re upset, and grousing, they are transfering.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:11 AM ^
It can be used multiple ways. It can be used to point out that the staff don't care about the well being of the players first and foremost and care about themselves and being petty which is a bad look. It can be used to illustrate that the staff lies on the recruiting trail about role and will try to punish players into making changes they don't want to make by holding them hostage by fighting transfers, etc.
A pattern of bad press from players transferring out is a bad look. One player is sour grapes, multiple players is a problem.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:24 AM ^
"holding them hostage by fighting transfers"
hAhAhAAhaahahahahahaha
Wasn't there a coach once who quoted some old dead guy in a tweet about "...first intent to deceive..." , maybe Harbaugh agrees with that guy.
Just keeping people from walking into spiderwebs.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:43 AM ^
I’m still unclear how this is “bad” for the student athlete? I’m all for the mulligan one time transfer rule being implemented but how exactly is this “bad” for Hudson or Sims or any other kid? They aren’t losing a year of eligibility, they can still practice and participate and learn the system, they are still students getting an education. The old rule has been in place for a long time and while I’m sure it’s annoying to wait a year it’s far from detrimental.
This is getting ridiculous. Getting an exception used to be unheard of. GA Tech also has a DE that got his immediate eligibility denied. Incredible how both kids had such incredible circumstances that deserved immediate eligibility! Can we just admit the process is now portal, expect immediate eligibility, complain if not granted, end up waiting a year as was always the case under this rule?
again I’m all for changing the rule but kids complaining that they aren’t getting immediate eligibility (and it seems like most don’t get immediate eligibility) is a case of nothing more than outsized expectations and not the fault of responsibility of the school they transferred from?
August 21st, 2019 at 1:30 PM ^
Actually, in this case, they are losing a year of eligibility. Both Hudson and Sims redshirted their freshman years and therefore can't do it again. Forcing them to sit out a year at their new school does cost them a year of playing time.
I completely agree on the rest of your points though. The NCAA has now made the transfer restrictions permeable enough that people expect to be waived through but not so permeable that there aren't a lot of people complaining. The current situation is just awful and unsustainable.
The Harbaugh rule can't get here soon enough.
August 21st, 2019 at 2:06 PM ^
Ah gotcha didn’t realize they would lose the eligibility - self neg there, but still this is part of the process and they know the odds when transferring- how many kids go into the portal now each year? Do you really the ncaa is going to approve a majority of them or even more than a select group as “exceptions?”
August 21st, 2019 at 10:54 AM ^
Look bad to people who would want to enroll then transfer?
August 21st, 2019 at 11:07 AM ^
Honestly, if I were a recruit I would consider that. It's always good to give yourself options just in case things don't go the way you hope they will.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:28 AM ^
It’s the NCAA’s rule, not Michigan’s...not concerned about optics and recruiting
August 21st, 2019 at 11:09 AM ^
I totally agree here.. they may need to change the type of recruit they go after in future, despite talent level, relative to character. Then again, our transfer rate may the norm for a P5 program.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:35 AM ^
Not for the players--they're just hoping to play--but for some of the people around the players the point is to create a bad look for Michigan out of nothing. Put Harbaugh in a position where he either has to lie to the NCAA or look like he's being anti-player. Really sticks it to the guy who keeps exposing how much the same ol' guys in charge don't care about the players.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:41 AM ^
Everyone that gets their waiver denied is bitching now. This is a direct result of the NCAA rule sucking and the NCAA making seemingly absurd and definitely inconsistent decisions about transfer waivers (ie Tate Martell).
Negative recruiting is the least of our worries. This is more about clicks than facts or actual impact on our program.
August 21st, 2019 at 5:29 PM ^
The NCAA, like all governing sports bodies, is unaccountable to virtually no one.
Like FIFA, Olympics committees, big baller league (lol), they are going to take money, through bribes preferential treament, imbezzling, and favors in any way they can, for as long as they can.
If people operate un-checked, and power is concentrated, corruption will take power every time (Hollywood, Catholic Priests, Monsanto, Facebook, Private Prisons, Corporations, Politics, etc.)
It's as old as time.
August 21st, 2019 at 1:30 PM ^
analyzing jim harbaugh for the past 50 years, i suspect he does not give a fuck about short term recruiting impact
August 21st, 2019 at 1:40 PM ^
Well, since "several" means more than two we may need at least one more before this is a tsunami.
And as for coaches using it against us? What are they going to say--"Hey, and if you decide to transfer out we're not gonna bat an eye!" Don't think so. And honestly, this just doesn't amount to a hill of beans.
August 21st, 2019 at 1:51 PM ^
I don’t give a shit! I only care if they are part of the team...
August 21st, 2019 at 2:35 PM ^
Can a school really prevent a kid from transferring and not letting him become eligible immediately? I think not. What they can do is to provide reasons why the kid transferred and challenge the reasons given by the kid, if incorrect. That is what happened in Shea’s case. So, it is inaccurate to say that UM is preventing Myles from becoming eligible immediately.
August 21st, 2019 at 4:35 PM ^
The thing that people need to understand is that the NCAA needs a paper trail of some kind to grant a transfer. As Tom Mars said, even if Michigan were to hold a parade advocating for his eligibility, it wouldn't have any effect. These kids need to realize this before they act shocked that their reasoning for transferring is denied when there is no physical evidence
August 21st, 2019 at 10:48 AM ^
This is the reaction I’d expect from 100% of kids who’s wavers are denied regardless of the reason. This doesn’t tell me a thing about how UM is handling transfers.
August 21st, 2019 at 12:01 PM ^
The parents say that they had a brief conversation with Harbaugh saying that it was for family reasons and then Georgia Tech showed them the transfer paperwork where Michigan said it was for playing time. It's either the entire family lying or Michigan handling this poorly. Considering that the Harbaugh tenure hasn't been without some bad PR moves, I'm not sure whether to think the family is lying.
August 21st, 2019 at 1:44 PM ^
The family had ONE conversation. Do you really believe Sims said nothing else? I don't. If the choice is believing that Michigan compliance lied and made up reasons for the transfer, or the family being unaware of the whole situation and everything Sims said to the coaches over time, I don't have a hard time deciding.
August 22nd, 2019 at 1:50 AM ^
Right. They just mentioned what they said on the phone. As if Sims never talked to coaches or any other players in his time at Michigan.
August 21st, 2019 at 12:56 PM ^
If the NCAA doesn't get its shit together on this they are going to start driving out the best coaching talent because they don't want to put up with all this crap (see Beilein, John; please don't let it be Harbaugh).
Second observation is that maybe Michigan, when being asked about why a kid transferred, should take the same approach as business HR departments do when companies call asking about a former employee. "Myles Sims attended the University of Michigan from 2016-2018." End of story.
August 21st, 2019 at 10:49 AM ^
Man if I didnt know better I'd swear they were made aware of the Hudson recruiting kerfuffle and are trying to use that misinformation to their benefit.
The fact that Harbaugh & Michigan wont lie on these transfer requests must just piss everybody off to no end. The NCAA has basically said "look - just make some shit up about why you have to leave, have the University agree to it and we'll approve it." Harbaugh wont do that and it's fucking up everybody's little ruse to get these things done without having to wait.
August 21st, 2019 at 10:51 AM ^
I agree completely.
Harbaugh and Michigan sure do draw a lot of fire.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:02 AM ^
MGrowOld nailed it. The headline should read: “Harbaugh and Michigan refuse to lie to the NCAA despite growing pressure from student athlete transfer candidates.”
August 21st, 2019 at 11:31 AM ^
I wonder if the UM AD's lack of "cooperation" with these transfers is another way of our team signaling to the players on the roster that they need to weigh out their transfer options more seriously and not just run at the first sign of adversity. I couldn't imagine what team dynamics would be like if the transfer portal was so wide open with no restrictions. Unhealthy
August 21st, 2019 at 12:42 PM ^
At no point do you want to feel like you’re holding players hostage, if players want to move on that’s their right. I could spin it also that keeping players here that do not want to be here can damage a locker room too.
August 21st, 2019 at 2:17 PM ^
Agreed, and I don't think it takes much spin to think that might be what happened at the end of last season. Something sure wasn't right.