Here’s everything we know.
The Michigan Wolverines are back in hot water less than two months after head coach Jim Harbaugh accepted a three-game penalty from the university for violating the NCAA protocols during the COVID-19 dead period. Now the No. 2 ranked Wolverines are the center of a sign-stealing investigation which allegedly began in 2021, according to a report Thursday from Yahoo Sports.
Harbaugh vehemently denied any knowledge of sign-stealing in a statement released on Thursday, but new information continues to emerge that makes difficult to imagine that Harbaugh wasn’t aware, if sign-stealing was occurring inside the program. Today we break down every aspect of this saga to try and understand exactly what’s happening.
What did Michigan allegedly do?
Little is known about the scope of the NCAA investigation at this time. Sign-stealing has always been a gray area more about honor than true enforcement. However, stealing signs is permissible so long as it happens in-person, and during the game itself.
The investigation is into whether Michigan used employees and third-party proxies to attend home games of future opponents to gather information on their play calling. It’s believed this process may have began in 2021. In addition, it is a violation if schools use any recording equipment in an attempt to steal signs — rather than just record on-field play for the purposes of scouting.
Two of Michigan’s 2023 opponents told Yahoo! Sports that they were made aware that the Wolverines knew their play signs. It’s unclear at this time who these opponents were, though there’s been rampant speculation that Rutgers could be one of these teams. In that game the Scarlet Knights were beaten 31-7 in a contest where Rutgers running back Kyle Monangai struggled to carry the ball 11 times for 27 yards (2.5 YPA), despite having a season average against non-Michigan opponents of 5.6 yards-per-carry.
It’s important to note that right now we’re at the investigatory stage, and no direct evidence has been revealed behind the NCAA allegations.
One staffer is now at the center of the scandal
Late Thursday night ESPN learned more details about the alleged Michigan sign-stealing, this time centering on a low-level staffer. Connor Stalions was hired by the Wolverines in 2022 as a “football analyst” after spending seven years working as a volunteer. The former marine detailed his role on the team as an entry on his LinkedIn page.
“On top of my daily duties as a Logistics O
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