Michigan Coach Under Fire for Sending Dazed QB Back into Game

University of Michigan’s football coach has faced a rising chorus of calls for his resignation for allowing a limping, visibly disoriented quarterback to stay on the field, despite symptoms that university physicians later confirmed were the result of a concussion.

Michigan coach Brady Hoke defended his decision to send quarterback Shane Morris back into the game Monday, saying that Morris appeared to have suffered an ankle injury and that the team “would never, ever put a guy on the field when there’s a possibility of head trauma,” CBS Sports reports.

But a report from the University’s athletic department confirmed that Morris had suffered a concussion and blamed the delayed diagnosis on “inadequate communication” between coaches and medical staff. “This clearly identifies the need for improvements in our sideline and communication processes,” said Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon.

The sight of Morris wobbling and struggling to stay on his feet caught the attention of the game’s announcers. “They’ve just got to get him out of the ballgame,” one said, adding, “That number 7 is still in this game is appalling to me.”

[CBS]