Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh responds to 'embarrassment' of NCAA investigation
The NCAA is investigating Michigan and head coach Jim Harbaugh for alleged on-site scouting of opponents leading to a sign stealing operation. Analyst Connor Stalions was reportedly at the forefront, buying tickets in his name and leaving them for people to allegedly record film of the sidelines.
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Harbaugh met the media Monday for the first time since the story broke. He confirmed reports about his contract being rescinded weren’t accurate, and added he’d stand by his initial statement released after reports of the operation surfaced.
“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,” the initial Harbaugh statement read. “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.”
Harbaugh said he knew of only one way to proceed when asked how he dealt with potential distractions.
“The team is refreshed … I’m refreshed,” Harbaugh said. “There was an opportunity to spend time with the families after a pretty good week of practice last week. We got some things down. We’re in onward mode. To answer the question specifically, it’s a one-track mind that I’m modeling, and I see it throughout the program.”
Though he wasn’t allowed to comment on the ongoing investigation, Harbaugh still received several questions from reporters on site:
• Is it the head coach’s responsibility to know everything that goes on in his program? “I think that question probably answers itself,” Harbaugh said. “I was forthright with the statement right away. I’ll just leave it at that.”
• Are you biting your tongue in not being able to respond? “I’m with you in the situation,” Harbaugh said. “But you just have to let it play out … cooperate with the investigation and watch how it plays out. But the speculation part … as I said, there’s too much of a one-track mind on coaching the team to be able to engaged in every piece of speculation that seems to be any and everywhere. I just channel my inner William Wallace [Braveheart character]. That’s the visual I think of to keep a one-track mind.”
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• Do you know anything about how an outside firm accessed videos and files of the coaches (as reported)? “I’ve got a one-track mind. I’m not going to be speculating,” he said. “I’m going to let others speculate on the various speculation that’s out there. It would be unfair to the team to not just be coaching the team.”
• What do you say to Michigan fans who are embarrassed? “That’s speculation,” Harbaugh said. “I would say everybody’s entitled to their opinion. … I don’t have a message right now. Everybody is welcome to their opinion. I think the people that know us the most, think the most of us.”
Harbaugh added he wasn’t sure how man hours the investigation had taken from his daily duties, noting he “didn’t have a list.” That’s often his response when he doesn’t want to talk on a subject, and he’s used it plenty over the years. He spent half his day Sunday working and half with family, he noted, and when one asked if he was concerned the College Football Playoff committee would keep Michigan out of the top 4 in its initial release, he deflected from that, as well.
“Same answer I gave last year when that question was asked, and the year before that,” Harbaugh said. “I’m just focused on a one-track mind, taking care of business today.”
We’ll see what tomorrow brings. For now, though, Harbaugh and his team are focused on one thing — beating Purdue Saturday and continuing with their “happy mission.”
