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The Michigan sign stealing scandal continues to be the biggest story in the NCAA. It’s not only painted the Wolverines’ recent run of success in a negative light, but it’s now leading to more potential wrongdoing from others around the country.
It’s not the first time we’ve seen a story like this unfold, though it might be the most extensive. A decade ago, Wake Forest was involved in a similar situation.
In that case, the NCAA didn’t run to the aid of the Demon Deacons.
“Wakey Leaks” sent shockwaves throughout college football back in 2016 after it was determined that a spurned Wake Forest staff member began sending information about the Deacs’ gameplan to upcoming opponents.
After getting blown out by Louisville in that ’16 season, Clawson discussed a potential “security breach” surrounding his program. As it turns out, former player and coach Tommy Elrod had been leaking info to ACC foes dating back to the 2014 campaign.
Elrod was quickly fired from his radio analyst gig and banned from attending WF games. It was theorized that he was upset about being let go when Clawson took over for former head coach Jim Grobe.
But that was about the extent of the storyline.
Other coaches around college football were named in the scandal, though the NCAA did little in terms of discipline.
The story kind of just disappeared.
Former players and coaches commented on that fact years later.
“It went on for so long. If this involved Clemson or someplace like that, this would’ve been the biggest deal of all time.”
Dave Clawson questions why NCAA didn’t step in during WF scandal.
As we know with the NCAA, they often play favorites. Whether that be in evading punishment for past crimes or landing aid amid timely issues, it seems some programs are prioritized above others.
As UNLV basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian famously said, “The NCAA is so mad at Kentucky it is going to give Cleveland State another year of probation.”
In this instance, it seemed that Wake Forest was too small a player in the football landscape for the NCAA to entertain.
Clawson opened up about his own experience, comparing it to what we’re now seeing in Ann Arbor.
Here’s more from The Athletic:
“Did the NCAA ever get ahold of you?” he asked Clawson.
“Yeah,” Clawson replied, slowly. “Three years later.”
“I know how we felt when we did find out (opponents had our stuff). You feel violated and cheated. You get really bitter… You wonder, ‘Why is the NCAA involved in this, but didn’t get involved in our situation?’ This is a big deal because it’s Michigan, but it wasn’t a big deal when it was Wake Forest?… The NCAA is supposed to be there for all of us, not just some of us.”
While the situations were a bit different given Wake Forest’s leak was coming from the inside, Clawson echoes the opinion of many around college sports.