DL Ondre Pipkins: Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, staff pressured me to quit

[number1]

Joe Schad, College Football

Defensive lineman Ondre Pipkins told ESPN that Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, head athletic trainer Paul Schmidt and associate athletic director Jim Minick asked Pipkins about 10 times over a two-month period to sign a medical scholarship form that would have ended his career with the Wolverines before he wanted it to end.

"I feel I'm healthy and ready to play," said Pipkins, who played last season after he was cleared to return from a torn knee ligament. "I don't want to sign the form. I wanted to play for my seniors and for the team. Coach Harbaugh said, 'I recommend you take the medical.'"

http://espn.go.com/college-football...rines-coach-jim-harbaugh-staff-pressured-quit

 

[Bane]

This is old news now. Pipkins has been plagued by injuries his entire time at Michigan, with the latest being concussions. He could have stayed at Michigan for his Senior season, but decided to transfer. Good luck to him.

 

[number1]

Concussions? He had 1 his freshman year, and 1 this year. 2 concussions in 4 years.

Pipkins said he participated in spring camp before suffering a concussion, for which he said he's been fully cleared by a neurologist, and he was welcomed back to the team by defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin. It was Pipkins' second concussion with the Wolverines; he said he also suffered one as a freshman.

 

[Bane]

Concussions? He had 1 his freshman year, and 1 this year. 2 concussions in 4 years.

Like I said, he could have played his last season at Michigan, but decided to transfer. I guess he felt like he wasn't wanted there. There had to be some major concerns for them to ask him on numerous occasions. It's not like they needed his scholarship since they brought in a small recruiting class this season.

 

[18_KEEPER]

Schollie needed- can use it now or in January

 

[JaguarNation99]

http://espn.go.com/college-football...rines-coach-jim-harbaugh-staff-pressured-quit

I'm starting to think Harbaugh owes you money or something LOL.

Still, I'm not convinced as yet that the actual story is as bad as the one Pipkins is spinning. As Bane stated, he's been widely expected to get a medical redshirt this year, and even the doctor who performed his surgery suggested that he at least sit out the season. His claim that the school wants to open up his scholarship is especially curious, given that he's a senior, the school isn't at the limit even with Pipkins, at least one other player is widely expected to take a medical redshirt/hardship, and most importantly, he's by far the highest rated recruit at a position that we don't have a lot of depth or talent. It would be impossible to verify just how much he was "pressured" into a medical retirement, but given his history of concussions, a neck injury, a major knee injury that's healing slow, and arthritis in his knees, in a kid who's over 300 pounds, he probably is someone who should give some serious consideration to leaving the game.

Bigger picture, it is beyond time for the NCAA to take a serious look at how schools use medical hardships as a way to waive players.