Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel admitted Tuesday the program needs more stability despite winning three straight Big Ten titles and a football national championship. The same era delivered a signal-stealing scandal, federal indictment of assistant coach Matt Weiss, and Sherrone Moore's firing after an arrest. Manuel told reporters at the Big Ten spring meetings he aims to "limit the impact" of such controversies.

The $20 million in NCAA sanctions followed months of turmoil, including show-cause penalties for Connor Stalions and former coach Jim Harbaugh. The university commissioned a law firm to review the athletic department's culture after Moore pleaded no contest to two misdemeanors. Interim President Domenico Grasso said the probe would "leave no stone unturned."

Michigan's coaches and student-athletes still achieved remarkable success through the chaos. Manuel expressed pride in their accomplishments and dismissed concerns that a 24-team College Football Playoff would diminish rivalry games like Michigan-Ohio State, saying he "can't envision a world where that would happen" and that more games at season's end actually increase stakes.