NCAA investigating No. 2 Michigan for sign-stealing
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[October 20, 2023]
The NCAA is investigating Michigan's football program amid
alleged rule violations relating to sign-stealing, the Big Ten
Conference announced Thursday.
Michigan and the Big Ten were both notified by the NCAA of the probe
on Wednesday. The conference said in a statement that it notified
the remaining opponents on the schedule for the second-ranked
Wolverines (7-0, 4-0), including Saturday's foe Michigan State (2-4,
0-3).
"The Big Ten Conference considers the integrity of competition to be
of utmost importance and will continue to monitor the
investigation," it said in a statement.
Late Thursday night, ESPN reported that Michigan football analyst
Connor Stalions is a "person of interest" as one of the key figures
in the NCAA investigation. The NCAA reportedly wants access to the
computer used by Stalions, a military veteran.
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Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh denied having any role in the
alleged cheating scheme.
"I do not have any knowledge or information regarding the University
of Michigan football program illegally stealing signals, nor have I
directed any staff member or others to participate in an off-campus
scouting assignment," Harbaugh said in a statement.
Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said his department will
"offer its complete cooperation" to the NCAA.
"At the University of Michigan, all of us are committed to the
highest standards of ethics and integrity for all members of our
community. This is the same expectation I have of all coaches,
staff, and student-athletes."
A Michigan spokesperson also released a statement.
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"The university is fully cooperating with the Big
Ten and NCAA," the spokesperson said. "... At the University of
Michigan, we are committed to the highest ethical and integrity
standards for all members of our community."
The Athletic reported that Michigan State told the conference it
would consider not playing Michigan "out of concern for health and
safety" for players. The Spartans confirmed Thursday that they will
take the field Saturday.
Yahoo Sports reported that two of Michigan's opponents became aware
that the Wolverines knew their play signs. The Detroit Free Press
said Michigan allegedly sent "scouts" to attend games to gather
information on the signs opponents use for specific play calls.
Scouting opponents is not illegal in the eyes of the NCAA, albeit
with one major exception. NCAA Bylaw 11.6.1 reads as follows:
"Off-campus, in-person scouting of future opponents (in the same
season) is prohibited."
Harbaugh served a university-imposed three-game suspension to start
the season for alleged Level II NCAA violations related to
impermissible recruiting and coaching during the COVID-19 dead
period.
--Field Level Media
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