Ryan Walters on Michigan sign-stealing comments: 'I was just calling a spade a spade'

The Big Ten coaches have made it clear that they’re not happy with Michigan and Jim Harbaugh amid an investigation into the program for improper scouting of opponents and stealing signs. Among those unafraid to share their thoughts on Michigan was Purdue head coach Ryan Walters.

In the lead-up to their game, Walters openly explained that the Purdue coaches were teaching the team an entirely new language because of the scouting that Michigan had done. In particular, Walters said he knew that Michigan had been at their games.

“Usually when you tell the truth, it’s not like a big deal,” Ryan Walters said. “I’m not shy about speaking truth. If I had to do it over again, I’d say the same thing.”

Walters further went on to clarify his comments about Harbaugh and Michigan. He explained that he didn’t think he was being particularly bold in his comments. Instead, he felt that he was being honest about the impact the scandal was having on the game.

“I was just calling a spade a spade, really,” Ryan Walters said. “In terms of advantages or disadvantages, just stating what happened.”

Among the allegations against Michigan are some relatively severe ones that occurred at Purdue football games. It was reported before the game that Connor Stalions had purchased tickets to six different Purdue games over the last two seasons. There is also reported footage showing those seats being used and people in them filming the sidelines from them.

Michigan beat Purdue in the Big Ten Championship Game in 2022 and beat the Boilermakers in the regular season last Saturday. It was frustration over all of those allegations that led to Ryan Walters’ initial comments.

“It’s unfortunate,” Walters said. “And what’s crazy is they aren’t allegations. It happened. There’s video evidence, there’s ticket purchases and sales that you can track back. We know for a fact that they were at a number of our games. We’ve had to teach our guys a new language, in terms of some signals and we will operate differently offensively. You might see us in a huddle for the first time this season. It is what it is. But we’re excited to go play, and I think it’ll make for a great story.”

Ryan Walters isn’t the only Big Ten coach upset, though. Last week, there was a call from coaches to Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti to take action against Michigan. That hasn’t happened, yet, but as time goes on, pressure continues to mount for action.

Jim Harbaugh on the brief postgame handshake from Ryan Walters

After the game ended, Ryan Walters continued to make his feelings about Jim Harbaugh known. In particular, with a quick handshake where he hardly acknowledged the Michigan head coach.

You can check that handshake out, here:

Appropriately icy pic.twitter.com/s4EbdZtCep

— Due# (@JDue51) November 5, 2023

Despite getting the cold shoulder, after the game, Jim Harbaugh downplayed the handshake. He said, “[It was a] typical postgame handshake.”

Clearly, there is some tension between the Big Ten coaches right now. However, Harbaugh isn’t interested in playing into it at this point in the season.