We heard chatter the last few weeks that the NCAA was going to be handing out an interesting suspension targeting the Ferris State (D-II - MI) program, and today a formal announcement was made.
The NCAA has announced disciplinary action for Ferris State head coach Tony Annese.
First, let's lay out what happened.
The issue at hand is two Ferris players lit up cigars during their celebration back at the locker room following the team's second national title in two seasons.
Not a big deal, right? Joe Burrow went viral after famously doing the same after LSU's national title a few years ago, and it's not uncommon to see as a celebratory moment after national titles.
The difference is, unlike the most championship contests, the D-II title is hosted at McKinney ISD Stadium, a Texas high school facility, where - like most high schools across the country - there is a strict no tobacco policy.
To be transparent, sources share that Ferris players did the same thing after their first national title, and they were issued a fine by the NCAA and were warned to not do it again. Sources in attendance share that the potential use of tobacco was addressed by Annese and the Ferris staff at the game, but two players chose to ignore those warnings.
Ferris players took some decorative Ferris State stickers that were on the walls as mementos of their once-in-a-lifetime experience, something else the NCAA took issue with.
The official statement from Ferris State confirms that coaches addressed both situations immediately.
Here's where things get really interesting though. The NCAA has decided that the appropriate punishment for Annese is to suspend for him to a game. Not just any game though. They're requiring him to sit for Ferris' first future playoff game.
The school also appealed the punishment, but their appeal was ultimately denied.
I've been covering college football for over a decade and I've never heard a decision to suspend anyone for a future playoff game.
Suspended for a game or two to start the season? Sure. That would be typical. Expected even, perhaps. Specifically sharing that he must sit their first playoff game seems unprecedented or - to put it nicely - "incredibly unique," or "strangely specific."
Attached is are statements from Annese, as well as Ferris State athletic director Steve Brockelbank.
Ferris State University's Athletic Director Steve Brockelbank issued the following statement, "I continue to be proud of the Ferris State University Football program and Coach Annese. I understand the concerns raised by the NCAA and we accept the responsibility for our actions and we will work to ensure this does not happen again in the future. I support the efforts that Coach Annese continues to take to improve the football program for the betterment of the students we serve at Ferris State University.
Football Head Coach Tony Annese states, "We are committed to running a program representing the ideals and values of Ferris State University, the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, and the NCAA. I understand the concerns raised by the NCAA. Immediately after the game, while I was in the post- game press conference, the two issues cited by the NCAA were addressed by my coaching staff. As a coaching staff, each day leading up to the National Championship game, we had reminded our players that smoking cigars in celebration would not be allowed. My team was fully aware that the actions of the two payers were inappropriate. No matter how minor the actions may seem, young people need to understand that there are consequences for their actions. We will address these concerns and continue to have a strong, positive football program that represents Ferris State University on and off the field."
Here is the rest of the statement from Ferris State:
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