NCAA investigating Michigan for alleged illegal sign stealing
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh is working on a new contract with the school while battling the NCAA on improper conduct with recruits charges, for which he received a 3-game school-imposed suspension. Now, the NCAA is coming after the Wolverines with new allegations.
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Sources informed TheWolverine.com late Wednesday the organization was coming after the Wolverines for alleged improper scouting and sign stealing. The allegation pertains to NCAA Bylaw 11.6.1, which reads: “Off-campus, in-person scouting of future opponents (in the same season) is prohibited.”
Per sources close to the situation, Michigan was to receive evidence of the wrongdoing from the Big Ten — which received notification from the NCAA of the investigation recently — as well as the NCAA this afternoon. Sources also indicate there is no evidence, as of now, that head coach Jim Harbaugh knew or was involved.
As Yahoo.com reports, “two of Michigan‘s opponents this season told Yahoo Sports they became aware that Michigan knew their play signs. Sign stealing does not violate NCAA rules unless the team uses in-game, electronic equipment to relay the information to players on the field or amongst coaches. The 2023 NCAA football rule book addresses sign stealing in a general way under a section titled Prohibited Field Equipment. It states that ‘any attempt to record, either through audio or video means, any signals given by an opposing player, coach or other team personnel is prohibited.” No corresponding penalty is listed.’
“The rulebook does express the need for coaches to follow the so-called “Football Code” and states that “only the highest standards of sportsmanship and conduct are expected of players, coaches and others associated with the game.” It further lists numerous examples of unethical and unsportsmanlike conduct but sign stealing is not among them.”
Regardless, they added, “the extent of this operation apparently concerned the NCAA. In-person scouting was prohibited for almost all circumstances in 1994 as a cost-saving tool. Teams commonly use hand signals or visual pictures on signs held aloft on the sideline to tell the quarterback or defensive captain the play.”
The Big Ten issued comment Thursday.
“Late Wednesday afternoon, the Big Ten Conference and University of Michigan were notified by the NCAA that the NCAA was investigating allegations of sign stealing by the University of Michigan football program. The Big Ten Conference has notified Michigan State University and future opponents. The Big Ten Conference considers the integrity of competition to be of utmost importance and will continue to monitor the investigation. The Conference will have no further comment at this time,” the statement read.
Watch for more on this developing story in the hours and days to come …
