The NCAA has reportedly descended upon Ann Arbor as it investigates the sign-stealing scandal associated with the University of Michigan. According to a report from ESPN and The Associated Press, NCAA investigators have visited the University of Michigan campus this week to interview members of the Wolverines coaching staff regarding the ongoing investigation.
After an initial report by Yahoo Sports, the Big Ten conference confirmed that the NCAA is looking into allegations of sign stealing by the Michigan football program. UM analyst, Connor Stalions, has been singled out as a key figure in the investigation, with sources suggesting that he was the mastermind behind an operation that involved both in-person scouting and the theft of opponents’ signals.
According to reports, Stalions purchased tickets to games at various Big Ten schools, as well as games featuring potential College Football Playoff opponents such as Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, and Oregon. He also bought tickets to the 2021 and 2022 SEC title games. Stalions allegedly transferred a ticket for a Tennessee game to another individual, placing that person directly across from the Tennessee sideline to gain a better vantage point for viewing the team’s signals.
ESPN’s investigation revealed that Stalions had purchased tickets to at least 35 games at 17 different stadiums across the country. Notably, Stalions had purchased tickets for a Penn State vs. Ohio State game, but those tickets were unused.
Last Wednesday, The Washington Post reported that an outside investigative firm approached the NCAA with documents and videos obtained from computer drives used by multiple Michigan coaches. The identity of the firm remains unknown.
Furthermore, The Detroit News reported that NCAA investigators now have access to the cell phones and tablets used by Michigan coaches, as they search for any past communication with Stalions.
Connor Stalions, a former Naval Academy graduate, served as a volunteer for Michigan from 2015 to 2022 before being hired as a full-time analyst in May 2022. According to sources within the Big Ten, Stalions was notorious throughout the conference for his elaborate and illegal scouting efforts. One Big Ten head coach acknowledged being warned about Stalions’ ability to decipher opponents’ plays.
While stealing signals during a game is common practice in college football and not against NCAA rules, the focus of the current investigation is on the in-person scouting of future opponents. This practice has been prohibited by the NCAA since 1994. The use of recording or video devices for scouting also violates NCAA rules.
The University of Michigan, currently 8-0 and ranked No. 2 nationally, is vying for a Big Ten title and a spot in the College Football Playoff for the third consecutive season. Head coach Jim Harbaugh denied any knowledge or involvement in the alleged sign-stealing scheme in a statement released last week. He emphasized his commitment to following the rules throughout his coaching career.
In addition to the sign-stealing investigation, Michigan is already facing a separate NCAA investigation for a range of violations, including Level II violations such as Harbaugh’s involvement in prohibited in-person meetings with recruits during the COVID dead period.
