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University of Michigan football sign-stealing scandal

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In 2023, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) opened an investigation into sign stealing accusations against staff members of the Michigan Wolverines football team.[1][2][3] The investigation is ongoing and has not been closed.

Background

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The Michigan investigation specifically centers on NCAA Bylaw 11.6.1, which states "Off-campus, in-person scouting of future opponents (in the same season) is prohibited, except as provided in Bylaws 11.6.1.1 and 11.6.1.2", with neither exception applying in Michigan's situation.[4][5] Sign stealing generally refers to the practice of covertly identifying the hand signals used by opposition coaches to instruct their players during a game. For most of the history of college football, sign stealing was not an issue. Traditionally, teams would huddle between snaps, with plays frequently sent in by player substitution. However, with the increasing emphasis on no-huddle offenses in the 21st century, signaling plays from the sideline became necessary, prompting teams to attempt to steal opponents' signs.[4] The NCAA alleges that Stalions sent friends and family to opponent's games to record future opponents' signs.

The NCAA has never directly banned sign stealing in football, but does ban teams from using electronic equipment to record opponents' signals during its own game, which is not believed to be relevant in this case. Bylaw 11.6.1.1 states that an institutional staff member cannot in-person advance scout a common opponent in the same season, which Stalions is not alleged to have done himself. The NCAA has not made clear its interpretation of its own rule and the case is still pending.

Unlike the NFL, the NCAA prohibited the use of coach-to-player audio technology (except in bowl games[4]), also due to differing program resources.[6] In 2024, the rule changed to allow coach-to-player communication with one player on each side of the ball. It is commonly believed to have ended the need to signal, however that is not the case. Visible signals are not necessary because of coach-to-player communication or the lack thereof. Teams have always had the option to huddle and utilize wristbands without needing coach-to-player communication. Visible signals are necessary for tempo or an offense or defense. Even after the rule change, many teams still signal their play offensively, forcing the defense to do the same (preventing them from huddling). It is common practice in college football for teams to still signal and therefore steal opponent signals. And it is also believed that the helmet communication is now being used to communicate opponent signals with players.[7]

The scandal

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Michigan staffer Connor Stalions, who resigned in light of the scandal.

The scope of the University of Michigan's alleged sign-stealing operation included both video evidence of electronics prohibited by the NCAA to steal signs and a significant paper trail, per sources. Michigan staffer Connor Stalions purchased tickets in his own name for more than 30 games over three years at 11 different Big Ten schools.[8] On November 3, 2023, Stalions,[9] who was at the center of the scandal, resigned.[10][9] However, the investigation continued.[11] That week, Central Michigan University, a Mid-American Conference program, became a party to the investigation against the Wolverines, as evidence emerged supporting potential off-campus scouting violations, as Stalions appeared to be present on the sidelines for a game Central Michigan played against Michigan State on September 1, 2023.[12][13] When asked by NCAA investigators if he attended the MSU-CMU game, Connor stated that he "did not recall" attending a specific game.[14] Central Michigan removed their QB coach, a former Harbaugh assistant, and continues to cooperate with the NCAA investigation without comment. [15] In the interview with NCAA officials in the Netflix documentary, Stalions’ lawyer Brad Beckworth believes that Stalions’ personal and private data was breached by hackers, stating “If that's true, it's certainly a violation of civil law and it's maybe a bigger crime.” When Beckworth asked how the NCAA obtained the information about Stalions, the investigators provided no comment.[16]

Michigan has received the official Notice of Allegations from the NCAA. Stalions, Denard Robinson, former assistant coach Chris Partridge and former head coach Jim Harbaugh were alleged to have committed Level I violations. Even though the NOA did not provide any evidence that Harbaugh knew of or was involved with Stalions’ operation, it stated that Harbaugh failed to monitor for “red flags”, and faces a potential punishment regardless.[17] The school also faces Level I charges for a "pattern of noncompliance," according to the previously leaked draft notice. [18]

Responses from UM football

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On November 6, 2023, a former employee of a rival Big Ten team, linked multiple college football teams to the sign-stealing scandal as well and claimed to the Associated Press that it was his job to steal signs and that he was given details from multiple league schools, allowing him to compile a spreadsheet of play-calling signals used by Michigan.[19] The employee, speaking anonymously, provided documented evidence to back his claim.[19] On November 7, a University of Michigan source alleged to The Athletic that Rutgers, Ohio State and Purdue had stolen Wolverine sign signals and shared them as well, with documented evidence backing this claim. Michigan says Purdue, Ohio State, and Rutgers decoded and shared signs used by Michigan. Evidence was also submitted by Michigan showing that prior to Michigan's victory over Purdue in the 2022 Big Ten championship game, Rutgers shared defensive signals with Purdue, while Ohio State shared offensive signals.[20] Documents also showed evidence of sign stealing for a game one of the teams played against the Wolverines in 2020 as well.[21] A Freedom of Information Act request filed by the Detroit Free Press revealed that Stalions filed no expense reports while employed by the University.[22]

NCAA investigation

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On November 6, 2023, the NCAA reported that they found no connection between head coach Jim Harbaugh and the illegal sign-stealing done by Stalions.[23] Despite this, the Big Ten Conference suspended Harbaugh for the final three games of the 2023 season, starting with the game against Penn State on November 11.[24][25] On November 16, 2023, Harbaugh decided to cancel a planned court hearing and accept his three-game suspension.[26][27] The same day, it was also revealed that the Big Ten had agreed to end its role in the sign stealing investigation.[26][27]

On November 17, 2023, Wolverines linebackers coach Chris Partridge was fired for allegedly instructing current members of the football team how to respond to questions relating to the sign-stealing scheme.[28] Partridge later released a statement on Twitter saying that his termination was due to a failure “to abide by the University directive not to discuss an ongoing NCAA investigation with anyone associated with the Michigan Football Program.”[29] It was also revealed that the NCAA investigation was still ongoing.[30]

After Michigan defeated Washington in the CFP National Championship Game, NCAA president Charlie Baker issued a statement that Michigan won the national championship "fair and square." Baker defended his decision to inform the university and the Big Ten during the season that the NCAA was investigating the allegations due to his concern that it may have been impacting the outcome of games. He concluded that "I don't believe at the end of the season it did. And I think that's important. We do have a series of discussions going on with the infractions folks about whether or not we can't do something to speed up the pace of our investigations," Baker said. "Certainly in a case like this, we'd like to be able to move a lot more quickly."[31][32]

Reactions

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Reactions to the scandal from opposing fanbases and reporters were mixed. Detroit sports talk radio host Mike Valenti of 97.1 The Ticket’s The Valenti Show With Rico bashed Michigan and considered the scandal to be one of the worst in sports history.[33] Former Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops heavily criticized Michigan, stating that "If it’s true, oh, absolutely (it is a big deal). That’s ridiculous. Everyone (saying), 'Oh, it happens all the time!' No, it doesn’t. I’ve never heard of that. In all my years of football and every team I’ve ever been on, sure, do we look across the field and if you can see it, that’s your job to do. You know what I’m saying, if I’m able to just in my plain eye look over there and know what they’re doing, I should be doing that. But to video people and to send people to scout and marry up a signal with the play … No, no, no. That’s terrible. It goes against everything we’re about. That’s wrong, if it happened."[34] The Athletic published an article where they surveyed 50 anonymous college football coaches regarding how serious they felt Stalions' actions were, and revealed that on a scale of 1 to 5, almost half of the coaches polled rated it a 5 in terms of seriousness.[35]

Alternatively, Colin Cowherd of Fox Sports called the scandal overblown, stating that "So for the record, everybody — just like cannabis and sports gambling — everybody’s stealing signs, they just do it differently; I do not believe that guy in the TV picture is the difference between Michigan and Ohio State. I think it was a better coach, better planning, and more physicality."[36] Joel Klatt of Fox Sports also defended Michigan, stating that, "I’m not saying that there weren’t rules broken. I’m not saying that it didn’t happen. I think that the more you really know about the sport, the more you know about football, I think you realize the less of an impact this actually had on the games. But the less you know about football (you likely think it had) more (of an) impact. Do you think it had an impact on every single play? Do you think that it had an impact on every single game and that they don’t win unless that’s not necessarily the case? Not necessarily the case."[37] ESPN’s Paul Finebaum, one of Michigan’s harshest critics, did not believe that what Stalions did had a significant impact on the game, saying "I would need evidence to say, 'Okay, because of Connor Stalions and all this, where was the advantage?' I just never saw it. If it was so obvious in one game or two games that they turned? But most of their games were pretty convincing."[38]

On July 22, 2024, ESPN reported that Netflix would be airing an episode featuring Connor Stalions in its ongoing Untold series called "Sign Stealer", where Stalions plans to reveal more information regarding the scandal. The episode was released on August 27, 2024.[39]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Purdum, David (October 19, 2023). "NCAA investigating No. 2 Michigan amid sign-stealing allegations". ESPN. Associated Press. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  2. ^ Russo, Ralph D. (October 21, 2023). "No. 2 Michigan suspends staffer after NCAA launches investigation into allegations of sign-stealing". Associated Press. Associated Press. Retrieved November 1, 2023. No. 2 Michigan announced Friday it has suspended a low-level football program employee a day after disclosing it is under NCAA investigation for allegedly stealing the play-calling signals used by Wolverines opponents.
  3. ^ Bonesteel, Matt (October 26, 2023). "The Michigan sign-stealing scandal: What you need to know". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 1, 2023. The Michigan sign-stealing scandal has become the talk of this college football season.
  4. ^ a b c Russo, Ralph D. (October 22, 2023). "Investigation of Michigan for sign-stealing stems from NCAA rules made to curb financial advantages". Associated Press News. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  5. ^ "Bylaw 11.6.1: Off-Campus, In-Person Scouting Prohibition" (PDF). 2023–24 NCAA Division I Manual. NCAA. August 5, 2023. p. 29. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  6. ^ Russo, Ralph D. (November 10, 2023). "Michigan is accused of stealing other team's signs. Here's why its coach just got banned for 3 games". Associated Press News. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  7. ^ "Connor Stallions Reveals Art Of Sign Stealing + Details In The Michigan Manifesto". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  8. ^ News, A. B. C. "Sources: Michigan staffer had tickets at 11 Big Ten schools". ABC News. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  9. ^ a b Culpepper, Chuck (November 4, 2023). "Connor Stalions, the Michigan man caught in a scandal, was built for this". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 7, 2023. For two weeks running, the country has familiarized itself with the name 'Connor Stalions,' with pundits extolling the storybook tenor of the name itself. The name surfaced as reports pinpointed Stalions as the focus of an investigation into an elaborate scheme of scouting future opponents that would violate NCAA rules.
  10. ^ Evan, Jace; Gardner, Steve; Axxon, Scooby (November 3, 2023). "Connor Stalions, Michigan football staffer at center of sign-stealing scandal, resigns". USA Today. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  11. ^ Kevin Skiver, USA Today Network (November 4, 2023). "Michigan football sign-stealing: Jim Harbaugh reportedly could be suspended by Big Ten". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  12. ^ Rittenberg, Adam (November 6, 2023). "NCAA joins Central Michigan investigation of sideline staffer". ESPN. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  13. ^ Paul, Tony (November 6, 2023). "CMU cooperating in NCAA's investigation into Michigan's alleged sign-stealing scheme". The Detroit News. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  14. ^ Vannini, Chris. "Connor Stalions addresses Central Michigan sideline photos for first time in Netflix documentary". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
  15. ^ "Central Michigan AD responds to report of staff changes weeks before 2024 season begins". July 30, 2024.
  16. ^ Rittenberg, Adam; Schlabach, Mark (August 27, 2024). "Stalions 'did not obtain signals through in-person scouting'". ABC News. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  17. ^ Meyer, Craig (August 5, 2024). "Jim Harbaugh: 'I do not apologize' for Michigan sign-stealing scandal after leaked NCAA NOA". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  18. ^ "Michigan receives NCAA notice of allegations in Connor Stalions' sign-stealing investigation". CBSSports.com. August 25, 2024.
  19. ^ a b Lage, Larry (November 6, 2023). "Ex-college football staffer shared docs with Michigan, showing a Big Ten team had Wolverines' signs". Associated Press. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  20. ^ "Sources: Michigan says Rutgers, Ohio State, Purdue shared its signs". ESPN. November 7, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  21. ^ Forde, Pat; Johnson, Richard (November 7, 2023). "Rivals Decoded Michigan's Signals—and Shared Them With Another Big Ten Team". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  22. ^ Garcia, Tony (November 15, 2023). "Michigan has no records of Connor Stalions filing any expense reports, FOIA request shows". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
  23. ^ Hole, Isaiah (November 6, 2023). "Yahoo: NCAA finds no connection between Jim Harbaugh and illegal sign stealing". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved January 20, 2023.
  24. ^ Schlabach, Mark; Rittenberg, Adam (November 10, 2023). "Why Big Ten suspended Michigan's Jim Harbaugh and what's next". ESPN. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  25. ^ Backus, Will (November 11, 2023). "Jim Harbaugh suspension: Michigan legal action not heard before Penn State kickoff; Sherrone Moore will coach". CBS Sports. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  26. ^ a b Russo, Ralph D.; Lage, Larry (November 16, 2023). "Harbaugh to serve out suspension, Big Ten ends Michigan sign-stealing investigation in settlement". Associated Press. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  27. ^ a b McMann, Aaron (November 16, 2023). "Michigan's Jim Harbaugh accepts suspension as Big Ten ends its investigation". MLive Media Group. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  28. ^ Dellenger, Ross; Wetzel, Dan (November 17, 2023). "Sources: NCAA's evidence vs. Michigan included booster involvement in scouting scheme, attempted destruction of evidence". Yahoo. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  29. ^ @CoachCPartridge (November 27, 2023). "Chris Partridge statement" (Tweet). Retrieved January 20, 2024 – via Twitter.
  30. ^ Chengelis, Angelique S. (November 17, 2023). "Michigan fires LB coach Chris Partridge". The Detroit News. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  31. ^ Russo, Ralph D. (January 10, 2024). "NCAA President Charlie Baker: Nobody can say Michigan didn't win national title 'fair and square'". Associated Press. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  32. ^ Murphy, Dan (January 10, 2024). "NCAA president says Michigan earned football national title". ESPN. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  33. ^ Valenti, Mike; Beard, Rico (November 20, 2023). "Michigan Post Connor Stalions - The Valenti Show with Rico". YouTube. WXYT-FM. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  34. ^ Wadleigh, Matt (October 26, 2023). "Ex-Oklahoma football HC Bob Stoops on 'terrible' Michigan scandal". ClutchPoints. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  35. ^ Feldman, Bruce; Olson, Max (November 1, 2023). "94% of college football coaches say Michigan crossed a line". The Athletic. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  36. ^ Lounsberry, Matt (August 6, 2024). "Colin Cowherd defends Michigan, pokes fun at Ohio State, MSU". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  37. ^ Kosko, Nick (January 15, 2024). "Joel Klatt explains how Michigan silenced the doubters with national championship". On3. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  38. ^ Gillenwater, Sam (August 9, 2024). "Paul Finebaum on Michigan's championship being tainted: 'I can't go that far'". On3. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  39. ^ "Ex-Michigan staffer Connor Stalions to feature in Netflix series". ESPN. Associated Press. July 22, 2024. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
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