Michigan’s sign-stealing scandal continues to make headlines. According to The Washington Post’s Will Hobson, an outside firm sent documents and videos to the NCAA, claiming that it obtained the evidence from computers accessed by multiple Michigan coaches. ESPN previously reported that staffer Connor Stalions purchased tickets to multiple games of Michigan’s upcoming opponents. Per Hobson, the evidence submitted to the NCAA included a schedule and budget for Michigan’s in-person scouting operation.
Michigan devoted the most resources to scouting Ohio State, spending more than $3,000 on tickets and travel for as many as eight of the Buckeyes’ eight games. The school also invested over $3,000 to scout Georgia, a possible College Football Playoff opponent. Michigan expected to spend more than $15,000 to send scouts to north of 40 games this season.
The investigation threatening to disrupt Michigan’s football season began after an outside investigative firm approached the NCAA with documents and videos the firm said it had obtained from computer drives maintained and accessed by Michigan coaches. https://t.co/BTjKQJDNDm
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) October 25, 2023
Uh, this seems very, very bad for Michigan. https://t.co/MBs4UDXwDx pic.twitter.com/rFCc2Xox4J
— Spencer Holbrook (@SpencerHolbrook) October 25, 2023
The Wolverines hadn’t defeated Ohio State since 2011 before notching back-to-back wins in the last two years. Each victory over its biggest rival gave Michigan a path to capturing the Big Ten title and making the CFP. However, head coach Jim Harbaugh has yet to take the team to a national title game. Michigan suffered a 34-11 loss to Georgia in the 2021 CFP semifinals and fell to TCU in last season’s opening round.
USA Today’s Dan Wolken wrote that the Michigan program and implicated staffers could pay a “big price” if found in violation of NCAA’s rules against in-person scouting. This investigation comes on the heels of Harbaugh serving a school-imposed three-game suspension amid another probe into alleged recruiting violations.
According to Hobson, the firm presented no evidence linking Harbaugh to the operation. Harbaugh denied any knowledge of sign-stealing and said the program will fully cooperate with the investigation.