The Michigan Wolverines are currently facing an NCAA investigation for allegations related to sign stealing. And it sounds like the investigation is making waves around the country – even with teams Michigan does not play.
During his press conference this week, Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Zach Arnett gave his thoughts on concerns that other teams could be trying to steal their signals.
“Sign-stealing is not illegal, right?” Zach Arnett said. “Obviously, there’s people on the opposing sidelines or up in the box always looking at whoever your signaller is. When I called defense – I think it’s the same now – we just have one primary signal caller giving it.”
Arnett made it clear that sign-stealing isn’t something they worry about too much because in most situations, there just isn’t enough time for sign-stealing to make that big of a difference.
“So, it’s not something we spent a whole lot of time concerning ourselves with. All of that has to do with depending on how the opponent does tempo too or how long you hold your call, how realistic is it to even think that you can get all that information processed,” Arnett said.
“Defensive guys see if they can try to figure out the opposing offensive guys’ play signal, but if they’re snapping the ball every 10 seconds, you don’t have time for all that.”
Arnett is right that sign-stealing in itself during a game is not illegal, but the NCAA is currently investigating the way Michigan may have gone about obtaining those signals, which could have violated NCAA rules.
