Glenn Schembechler resigns from Michigan recruiting job after social media controversy
A son of a legendary college football coach is out of a job, just days after being hired by his dad’s big-name alma mater.
Glenn “Shemy” Schembechler — the son of Wolverines longtime coach Bo Schembechler — has resigned from his position as assistant director of football recruiting on Saturday.
The younger Schembechler’s exit comes after it was discovered there was a mass of objectionable and racist social media content liked by his Twitter account, according to multiple reports.
His Twitter account was deactivated on Saturday.
According to the Detroit News, Schembechler’s Twitter timeline had a number of posts and “likes” of multiple offensive and insensitive posts, including several suggesting slavery and Jim Crow were a positive to strengthen black individuals and families.
Schembechler’s liked tweets were compiled over a period of years, according to Yahoo! Sports. Hundreds to thousands of those tweets were unliked Friday night before the Twitter account was shut off.
In a joint statement released Saturday, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh and athletic director Warde Manuel said Schembechler’s social media activity had “caused concern and pain for individuals” in the community:
Glenn “Shemy” Schembechler resigned days after being hired as the Wolverine’s assistant director of football recruiting after it was discovered his Twitter account was liking racist social media content. YouTube screengrab
Despite allegedly going through background checks before landing the job with Michigan, Shimy’s liked tweets seemed to fly under the radar during the process. Instagram/shemyschembechler
“We are aware of some comments and likes on social media that have caused concern and pain for individuals in our community,” the statement read. “Michigan Athletics is fully committed to a place where our coaches, staff and student-athletes feel welcome and where we fully support the University’s and Athletic Department’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.”
A source with knowledge of the situation told ESPN that Shemy went through a thorough background check during the hiring process.
The hiring of the younger Schembechler drew some controversy, even before the discovery of his objectionable tweets.
Head coach Bo Schembechler of the Michigan Wolverines (center) stands with his team during the 1990 Rose Bowl game against the USC Trojans in Pasadena, California. Getty Images
Bo Schembechler of the Michigan Wolverines talks with Head Coach Earle Bruce of the Ohio State Buckeyes prior to the start of an NCAA football game on Nov. 22, 1986 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Getty Images
Some saw the move being made only because of Harbaugh’s affection for Bo Schembechler, his former coach and mentor.
Shemy, in his brief three-day tenure with Michigan, has extensive NFL scouting experience, but not on the college football recruiting level.
He had been a longtime NFL scout, most recently with the Las Vegas Raiders until February.
He also scouted for Washington, Chicago and Kansas City.
Schembechler spent more than a decade working for Washington’s organization.
Harbaugh started at quarterback for Bo Schembechler during the 1980s.
Bo Schembechler coached Michigan from 1969-89, leading the Wolverines them to 13 Big Ten titles and retired as the program’s all-time wins leader.
Source: New York Post
