Really cynical and an indictment not just against athletics but the whole university. Admitting someone who doesn't qualify and doesn't have the desire, ability, or preparation to succeed at the U is not only bad for the teams (messed up rosters, etc. if academic minimums aren't met), but also the student who isn't getting the education he or she deserves.
I've been on the edge of admissions processes at a university and sometimes you need to advocate for a potential student because there is untapped potential, a backstory that is not reflected in objective admissions standards, and they are entering a system that will provide them more structure to succeed in college than they had in high school. We were 100% in seven years when we got borderline students admitted. All of them over performed their admission profile. Some of them substantially.
The U will never make public that kind of data, but I think you are just wrong believing that admissions people will just do whatever a coach asks, no matter what. Not at this university. Advocating for a borderline student is not systemic corruption in admissions, which is more likely what athletics does when necessary.