Report: NCAA shoots down theory about Day family, ties to Michigan investigation
COLUMBUS — Ohio State coach Ryan Day and his family were falsely accused of hiring investigators, most notably Day’s brother, who is a part-time private investigator, to look into Michigan’s sign-stealing scandal. The claims were made by Michigan media members and fans last week.
Turns out those accusations levied against Day and his family were exactly that: false.
The NCAA told the Big Ten that Day and his family have not been found to be connected to the Big Ten’s investigation of Michigan, sources told Yahoo! Sports’ Ross Dellenger on Monday evening. It puts to bed the social media theory that Day and his family were behind the investigation into Michigan, which is accused of illegally scouting opponents in-person.
The investigation into Michigan opened three weeks ago, alleging that the Wolverines have been illegally stealing opponents signs for years with a vast network of people in an elaborate scheme.
Of course, Ohio State was dragged into it on social media and by media tied to Michigan, claiming the Day family hired investigators to begin peeking into into Schembechler Hall in Ann Arbor, sparking the NCAA probe.
But the NCAA has officially put that theory to bed. Ohio State has no known connection to the NCAA investigation, according to Yahoo! Sports.
More on the NCAA investigation into Michigan
This comes just hours after the Big Ten office formally notified Michigan that it could face discipline for the sign-stealing.
“A Michigan official has confirmed to ESPN that the school received formal notification from the Big Ten of potential disciplinary action,” ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg wrote when breaking the news. “This is a step stated in the league’s sportsmanship policy.”
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Rittenberg referenced NCAA policy regarding their notice of disciplinary action and what could come of the situation in the near future. The statement reads as follows:
“10.3.2 Notice of Disciplinary Action. In the event it becomes clear that an institution is likely to be subjected to disciplinary action, the Commissioner shall notify that institution or individual at the earliest reasonable opportunity. Under no circumstances shall the Commissioner comment publicly regarding either an investigation or disciplinary action without having first provided notice to any involved institution or individual.”
The man at the center of the NCAA investigation into Michigan, recruiting staffer Connor Stalions, resigned last week after being placed on paid leave.
But this is a Michigan issue. Not an Ohio State issue. And the NCAA made the Big Ten aware of that Monday, according to Dellenger.
Ryan Day and his family aren’t connected to the investigation into the Wolverines. And the theory that they were can be put to rest.
