A former staff member with a Big Ten football program claims he got assistance from “multiple” other conference schools to assemble a spreadsheet showing play-calling signals used by Michigan last year.
The unidentified staffer told the AP he has shared the information with Michigan. The Wolverines, of course, are the subject of an NCAA investigation involving allegations a former analyst scouted games and taped opponents’ sidelines to learn signals.
According to the AP, the staffer said he “gave the details to Michigan last week because he hoped it would help Jim Harbaugh’s embattled program and he believes Harbaugh and his coaches are being unfairly blamed for the actions of a rogue staffer.”
Ex-college football staffer shared docs with Michigan, showing a Big Ten team had Wolverines' signs https://t.co/OJ48Wnl8PZ
— Larry Lage (@LarryLage) November 6, 2023
Michigan analyst Connor Stalions resigned Nov. 3 in the wake of the scandal.
The AP report notes that the anonymous former Big Ten school employee not only shared the information he compiled with Michigan, he also showed text messages he exchanged with staffers at other conference schools.
NCAA rules prohibit in-person scouting. Harbaugh has denied any knowledge of Stalions’ activities.
It’s unclear how the other Big Ten schools compiled the Michigan play-calling information, and many such efforts are permitted. It’s the methods Stalions allegedly used — such as attending games — that sparked the NCAA investigation.
Still, the AP report would seem to indicate the sign-stealing practice is far more widespread than many fans or analysts realize.
The AP report notes that the alleged scouting by other conference football programs “potentially violate the Big Ten’s sportsmanship policy” and could result in penalties.
Fans reacted to the surprising report with mixed thoughts.
Sounds all legal unless this staffer was going to games?
— Evan Cutler (@cutlernwahlberg) November 6, 2023
This whole hit job whether Michigan is guilty or not has been a weighted vest on Michigan and it has taken some time but Michigan has gotten stronger and that vest isn’t so heavy anymore
— jo (@jordanyeti) November 6, 2023
Did the same coaches complain all week that sign stealing gives a huge advantage, only to prove through this act that it’s clearly not the case? Like what are we even doing here? The NCAA rule in question is a Level 2 violation if broken, not the start of WW3.
— Dan Goldstein (@dangoldss) November 6, 2023
1) Teams talk amongst each other and share scouting info. That’s not “illegal in-person scouting” as @DanWetzel tries to claim
2) How did those teams get Michigan’s signs? If they were doing what Stalions did, then punish them. But this doesn’t absolve Michigan.
— George W (@BiscuitGeorge81) November 6, 2023
But I was told Michigan was only good because they stole signs. So if other teams had their signs, how would they have an advantage? Interesting…
— Matt (@yourmomMD) November 6, 2023
Sounds like a vast network of in-person scouts to me
— CL (@cl50free) November 6, 2023
If true, staffs are actually allowed to share info with one another
— Concerned American (@In_The_Middle76) November 6, 2023
