Jim Harbaugh releases statement in response to NCAA sign-stealing investigation

Jim Harbaugh has released a statement in response to the NCAA’s investigation into the Michigan program regarding sign-stealing rules. The rule in question is about in-person scouting, which says programs can’t participate in “off-campus, in-person scouting of future opponents (in the same season).”

According to Yahoo! Sports’ Ross Dellenger and Dan Wetzel, who first reported the investigation, Michigan allegedly sent “unnamed individuals” to scout future opponents and possible College Football Playoff opponents “in an effort to gather information on the signs they use to call both offensive and defensive plays.”

In his statement, Harbaugh denied knowledge about that occurring and said he can’t comment about the situation, per NCAA rules.

“I want to make it clear that I, and my staff, will fully cooperate with the investigation into this matter,” Harbaugh said. “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. I have no awareness of anyone on our staff having done that or having directed that action. I do not condone or tolerate anyone doing anything illegal or against NCAA rules.

“No matter what program or organization that I have led throughout my career, my instructions and awareness of how we scout opponents have always been firmly within the rules. Pursuant to NCAA rules, I will not be able to comment further while this investigation takes place.”

The Big Ten, the University of Michigan and athletic director Warde Manuel have all commented on the investigation. Harbaugh’s attorney also released a statement saying he expected the head coach to deny the allegations when he spoke publicly.

Why the sign-stealing investigation into Jim Harbaugh, Michigan is ‘a lot more than a cheeseburger’

This is the second time this calendar year Harbaugh and the Wolverines have been at the center of an NCAA investigation. In July, just before Big Ten Media Days, the NCAA was considering a four-game suspension for Harbaugh alleged recruiting violations that eventually resulted in a self-imposed three-game suspension to start the season. A cheeseburger was reportedly at the center of those allegations, although the NCAA emphatically said that was not the case.

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, though, this investigation is much more serious because it’s the second one involving Harbaugh and Michigan.

“Quite frankly, it’s bad news for Jim Harbaugh right now,” Thamel said on SportsCenter. “He’s already under NCAA investigation. There was a trope that that was about a cheeseburger, the recruiting investigation that Michigan was under that cost him a self-imposed three games to start the season. This is a lot more than a cheeseburger.

“This cuts to the core of competition and the fact that it’s been raised to this level and the Big Ten itself has publicized it really brings this to a serious concern at a time when Jim Harbaugh has a national title contender on the field.”