ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The University of Michigan has been playing football for more than a century, earning respect by becoming the nation's winningest program while avoiding the stigma attached to teams that break NCAA rules.

Until now.

The school admitted Tuesday to a series of violations by its storied football program and said it had reprimanded seven people, including third-year coach Rich Rodriguez. Another staffer was fired and the school released more than 150 pages detailing a breakdown in communication within the athletic department as well as self-imposed sanctions that include two years of probation.

The school now has to hope that its explanation and sanctions will satisfy the NCAA, which will hold a hearing on the case Aug. 13 and 14 in Seattle. A final decision isn't expected for six to 10 weeks later, perhaps sometime during season.

Athletic director David Brandon said he doesn't believe the problems related to practice time and coaching activities are enough to warrant the loss of scholarships or extreme disgrace.

"I don't think this is a black eye," Brandon said. "This is a bruise."

Brandon bristled at the suggestion Michigan had cheated.

"Bad word, inaccurate word," he said. "We made mistakes and where I come from, a mistake is different than cheating."

Rodriguez will be in the spotlight more than ever next season, occupying perhaps the hottest seat in college football with an 8-16 record in two disappointing years with the Wolverines.

Rodriguez acknowledged making mistakes, but said he was upset by the charge the NCAA made directly at him.

"That's another level when that is out there," he said.

Brandon said the school decided not to take away scholarships or eliminate coaching positions based on precedent.

"That's usually a result of something deemed to be an offense that created a competitive advantage," Brandon said.