Kalen DeBoer addresses concerns following Michigan sign stealing reports

With the news coming out of Michigan with the current sign-stealing scandal, many college football coaches across the country have broached the topic. On Monday, Washington Huskies head coach Kalen DeBoer shared his thoughts and concerns on sign stealing in college football.

“Well, I think, especially as you get to the higher levels when there’s more staff, there’s just more eyes on people to where you got to be conscious,” said DeBoer. “And I know even within our, thinking about offensively, there’s enough people that have gone through our circle that are out in other places.

“But we’ve switched things up over the years. Even just with huddling and a partial huddle, just to really make sure that we’re not giving a tip of the hat of what we’re doing. So, we’re very conscious, we’re very aware. I’m sure people are trying to get every bit of information to slow us down that they can.”

While sign stealing is a major talking point currently, DeBoer is looking at it through a finer lens. The individuals from the outside looking in are undoubtedly a concern, especially when they are acquiring information in ways that violate the rules. But DeBoer is also keen on those who were once a part of his program. Those individuals would have first-hand knowledge of how his offense works, which is why the Huskies’ head man and coaches all over college football make tweaks and changes to their processes every season.

Andy Staples provides additional context on Michigan sign-stealing investigation

Damning evidence against Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh and Connor Stalions has come to light over the past couple of weeks and much has been made of the news that Michigan has been allegedly caught stealing opponent’s signs.

Now, On3’s Andy Staples has the latest, reporting on the recent evidence put together by ESPN’s Pete Thamel and Mark Schlabach on Monday.

“Connor Stalions, the staffer at Michigan who has been suspended in this case, was found to have purchased tickets to 30 games and 11 Big Ten schools,” Staples said. “Thamel cited sources from 11 different Big Ten schools that this happened. The NCAA is expected to get evidence that someone using tickets purchased by Stalions was filming one of the sidelines for the entire game. They used the surveillance cameras from the stadium to show someone using their phone to film a sideline for the entire game. This is not an isolated incident — this apparently goes back for quite some time.

“If they get that video, they’ve pretty much got them dead to rights. What that means is that Michigan will be in trouble, Jim Harbaugh will be in trouble for this.”

Of course, Harbaugh was quoted as saying that he had no knowledge of this incident last week. As more comes out, Harbaugh’s statement is becoming less and less believable, Staples says. Even if Harbaugh had no knowledge of the incident, the NCAA will likely deem Harbaugh at fault due to the fact that he’s the head coach and directly oversees Stalions’ duties.