Another Michigan Investigation

10/20/2023 Another Michigan Investigation

By: Jeff Yoder

Michigan Football Under Investigation for ‘Sign-Stealing’ Violations

Back for more, NCAA? In the ever-changing world of college sports recruiting violations, some programs have been victims of NIL-driven challenges. How to compete (and remain competitive) in this landscape is a moving target, but one college football program finds itself at the center of the violation station once more.

 

The University of Michigan is under investigation by the NCAA for a potential “sign-stealing” violation. The news comes in the middle of a season where Michigan is 7-0 after head coach Jim Harbaugh served a three-game suspension for recruiting violations during the 2020 Covid-19 dead period. These new accusations could come with a bigger penalty.

 

Sign-Stealing Explained: The NCAA has prohibited in-person scouting of opponents since 1994, but UM has reportedly sent scouts to Big Ten games in an attempt to record play calls and signals. While analyzing sideline behavior is far from a violation, sending assigned staff to attend opponents’ games (and allegedly recording video) is against the rules. It’s a similar ethics violation with similarity to the famous ‘Spygate’ controversy of the 2007 season.

 

Why It Matters: Michigan is ranked No. 2 in the nation, and they’ve held every opponent to 10 points or less in a season of absolute mastery on the defensive side of the football. The Wolverines are attempting to sign Harbaugh to a multi-year extension before the end of the season, but rumors of him returning to the NFL remain. Michigan is set to play #7 Penn State, Maryland and #3 Ohio State in November. Wins would put them in the College Football Playoff. Sanctions could impact the future while paving the way for Harbaugh’s exit.

 

The NCAA Committee on Infractions will likely decide on the case in 2024. And while penalties shouldn’t be catastrophic, Harbaugh might be ready to move on. Who knows? Maybe a national championship is in store for the Wolverines and this is one of those “blow-over” stories.

 

Read More

AP: Michigan Says Its Cooperating With NCAA Investigation Into Sign-Stealing

SI: Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh Issues Statement on NCAA’s Sign-Stealing Investigation

CBS Sports: NCAA Investigates Michigan for In-Person Scouts, Notifies Michigan State Ahead of Week 8 Matchup

 

Photo: Steven Branscombe / Getty Images