Wake Forest scandal didn’t get same attention from NCAA as Michigan investigation. Why?

The college football world is abuzz with the alleged Michigan illegal signal-stealing investigation, leaving many wondering what the NCAA and the Big Ten will do. However, one person has remained particularly curious throughout this scandal: Wake Forest coach, Dave Clawson. He has some pressing questions, with the most significant one being: Why did the NCAA not take action when it was alerted to what is now known as the “WakeyLeaks” scandal, which victimized his program for three years?

The “WakeyLeaks” scandal unfolded when Tommy Elrod, a former Wake Forest quarterback and an assistant coach for the Demon Deacons from 2003-2013, leaked the team’s game plans to opponents. Despite not retaining Elrod on his staff when he arrived in 2014, Clawson’s teams struggled initially, only achieving one ACC win in each of his first two seasons. It wasn’t until 2016 that Clawson’s team broke through and won its first bowl game in eight seasons, despite the scandal.

An internal investigation in 2016 revealed that Elrod had given away the team’s game plans. Then, in 2022, Clawson was astonished to learn that a coaching friend had alerted the NCAA about the scandal back in 2014. However, the NCAA only contacted Clawson three years later, leaving Clawson feeling compromised for three years.

Clawson can empathize with Michigan and their opponents, having experienced a similar violation when his team’s game plans were leaked. He expressed frustration at the NCAA’s lack of involvement in the “WakeyLeaks” scandal, highlighting the potential risks to players’ health and well-being.

In conclusion, Clawson’s experience with the “WakeyLeaks” scandal has left him questioning the NCAA’s inconsistency in addressing such violations. The NCAA is meant to uphold the integrity of the sport, and Clawson believes it should be there for all teams, not just a select few.

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Alex Martin

Alex Martin is your guide to the global phenomenon of football. With a focus on international leagues and tournaments, he provides match commentary, player interviews, and behind-the-scenes stories from the world of football.