Michigan football coach Kyle Whittingham said he wants the program to move past the off-field issues that have surrounded the team. Speaking in Chicago, he said the goal is to "put the drama to bed" so the focus can return to football and campus life.
The comments come as Michigan continues to deal with NCAA scrutiny tied to analyst coaching and recruiting violations, along with related suspensions. Whittingham indicated he was not present for the events at the center of the matter, but he is well aware of the attention the investigation has drawn.
His message centered less on revisiting the allegations and more on the effect prolonged controversy can have on a college program. By stressing a return to being student-athletes, he pointed to a desire for normalcy after months of headlines and uncertainty.
For Michigan, the issue remains a major storyline as the team prepares for the season. Even with football taking center stage again, the NCAA investigation and the fallout from it are still part of the conversation around the program.
