Jim Harbaugh's attorney issues statement on NCAA investigation into sign stealing

The ongoing and unfolding saga of Michigan football’s alleged sign stealing this season took another turn on Thursday afternoon when Tom Mars, the high profile attorney representing Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh, spoke with Yahoo! Sports Dan Wetzel.

And while it was not a direct comment from Harbaugh himself, Mars more or less intimated that the Michigan head coach is denying knowledge of alleged sign stealing.

“I’ve spoken to Coach Harbaugh about what we’ve read in the sports news and if NCAA rules allowed him to make a public statement I am sure he would deny having any knowledge of what was reported,” Mars said.

The line about NCAA rules supposedly muzzling Harbaugh has to do with the fact that involved parties aren’t supposed to comment on ongoing infractions cases.

However, in the previous (and still ongoing) Michigan infractions case, the NCAA released a statement infamously saying the matter was about more than a cheeseburger. Harbaugh, at risk of tanking whatever case he and Michigan plans to make before the NCAA, remained silent on that matter then and is, evidently, not likely to speak directly about the matter now.

Mars isn’t the only person speaking up on the latest Michigan case

As Michigan prepares to take on Michigan State this week, the NCAA has started an investigation into the Wolverines for allegedly breaking sign-stealing rules. Although a report indicated the Spartans hesitated about playing Saturday’s game, the rivalry matchup will proceed as scheduled.

Thursday evening, MSU’s interim president released a statement on the situation.

Teresa Woodruff commented on the investigation and noted the “concerning” allegations against UM. However, Michigan State is keeping its focus on Saturday’s game and will not comment further.

“As we look forward to the football game this Saturday, we are chagrined by the news of the NCAA investigation and we echo the Big Ten Conference’s commitment to integrity,” Woodruff said, via Tony Paul of The Detroit News. “The allegations are concerning, but will be handled through the NCAA’s processes. MSU has no further comment on that matter. The university is focused on supporting our own team and preparing campus for a safe game-day environment.”

The rule in question pertains to scouting future opponents in person, with the rule stipulating “off-campus, in-person scouting of future opponents (in the same season) is prohibited.” According to Yahoo! Sports‘ Ross Dellenger and Dan Wetzel, the NCAA notified the Big Ten Conference that it was conducting an investigation into Michigan’s actions.