Former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer admitted surprise at the depth of the NCAA’s findings following its investigation into Michigan’s football program for its sign-stealing and illegal scouting activities. Initially, Meyer was skeptical of reports regarding Michigan’s practices but stated that his perspective has shifted since the NCAA’s findings, which included a ten-year show cause for former coach Jim Harbaugh.

Meyer emphasized, “This is one that will go down in the history books, something in my lifetime I have not seen,” during his appearance on the “Triple Option” podcast.

He went on to read two quotes from the NCAA’s final report regarding Michigan’s lack of compliance with rules, highlighting that the program viewed compliance as an adversary and disregarded its compliance office. Meyer remarked that the severe penalties imposed on Michigan, including significant fines and suspensions for coaching personnel, felt disproportionate when he reflected on his own experience during his first year at Ohio State, where the program had faced immense scrutiny following violations under prior leadership.

The Buckeyes went undefeated during Meyer’s inaugural season but faced postseason ineligibility, a consequence directed at past infractions. “In December of 2011, I had to tell a group of seniors they weren’t allowed to play in a bowl game, something they had nothing to do with,” Meyer lamented. He expressed support for the NCAA’s decision not to punish current Michigan players who were not involved in the sign-stealing scandal.