Glenn “Shemy” Schembechler has apologized for Twitter conduct that cost him his job at Michigan.
Schembechler, the son of legendary former Michigan coach Bo Schembechler, resigned from his job as assistant director of football recruiting with the Wolverines on Saturday, after a number of tweets that he “liked” over the years emerged, including some that reportedly suggested ways that Jim Crow and slavery had helped black individuals and families.
Schembechler, 53, issued a lengthy statement apologizing for the social media behavior.
“My entire life and that of my Dad and family has been devoted to the best in people – no matter their race, religion or creed. I have fed my family through hard work and dedicated service promoting Black excellence and lifelong successes in academics and athletics for all. I was raised on the right side of history,” the statement said.
“The success of myself, my family, my father, our whole legacy is centered on the debt we owe the scores and scores of Black families, and all families, who allowed us to be a part of their incredible journeys. These Black players are among the greatest influences in my life besides faith, family and my father – all of which inform me of inalienable equality. Creating greater opportunities for every single aspiring athlete, especially Black athletes, has been our family’s focus and life’s work.”
Schembechler was previously an NFL scout, having held jobs with the Raiders, Commanders, Bears and Chiefs.
He disavowed the tweets he had liked about Jim Crow and slavery, and apologized for his “flippant behavior on Twitter.”
“But what I do for a living is far less important than for people to know what is in my heart, and has been, since I was born, instilled in me by my pioneering father. By inexplicably and irresponsibly liking things on social media I owe an unabashed and unequivocal apology to my hundreds of friends and fellow coaches in the Black community, all communities, the University of Michigan, my father’s legacy and my family,” his statement continued.
“Any words or philosophies that in any way seek to underplay the immeasurable suffering and long-term economic and social inequities that hundreds of years of slavery and the ‘Jim Crow’ era caused for Black Americans is wrong. I was wrong. We must never sanitize morally unsanitary, historical behaviors that have hindered the Black community, or any other community.
“There are no historical silver linings for the experience of our brothers and sisters. While disappointed in my flippant behavior on Twitter, those who know me best like Stony Burks, Pierre Woods and many others will confirm what they know to be true in my heart and head.”
When Schembechler resigned, Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh and athletic director Warde Manuel issued a statement about the matter.
“We are aware of some comments and likes on social media that have caused concern and pain for individuals in our community,” Harbaugh and Manuel said.
“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.”