ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan Athletic Director Dave Brandon says a “serious lack of communication” led to ailing quarterback Shane Morris playing Saturday against Minnesota when he should not have.
Brandon apologized for mistakes that “created a circumstance that was not in the best interest of one of our student-athletes.”
Brandon says medical staff and coaches on the sideline did not see the fourth-quarter hit Morris took from Minnesota’s Theiren Cockran, who was called for roughing the passer. A wobbly Morris briefly looked as though he was having trouble standing, but the sophomore remained in for the next play and threw an incompletion before coming out of the game.
Brandon explained that, because they did not see the hit, the training staff believed Morris stumbled because of his ankle injury. The team neurologist, who also did not see the hit while watching from farther down the field, headed down the sideline to evaluate Morris but neither the neurologist nor other team physicians were unaware that Morris was called back into the game.
“Under these circumstances, a player should not be allowed to re-enter the game before being cleared by the team physician,” Brandon said in a statement.
Head coach Brady Hoke was not provided the updated diagnosis before telling reporters Monday that Morris had not suffered a conusssion.
Brandon says new steps will be taken to improve the communications on the sideline: A medical professional in the press box or video booth will have a “bird’s eye view” of the action, replay available and the ability to communicate with medical personnel on the sidelines, he said.