**Editor’s note:** A previous version of the story reported that the Big Ten was investigating and compiling evidence. The NCAA is investigating and compiling, and alerted the conference.
The NCAA is investigating the University of Michigan football program amid allegations of sign-stealing, the Big Ten announced Thursday.
“U-M Athletics will offer its complete cooperation to the NCAA in this matter,” athletic director Warde Manuel said in a statement Thursday. “At the University of Michigan, we are fully committed to maintaining the highest standards of ethics and integrity throughout our community. This is the same expectation we have for all of our coaches, staff, and student-athletes.”
The Big Ten reached out to Michigan State on Wednesday, ahead of this weekend’s anticipated game in East Lansing between the two rivals, saying it has received credible evidence suggesting that the Wolverines have been successfully stealing signs called by opposing teams’ coaches during this season.
An industry source familiar with the matter revealed that the NCAA is investigating Michigan regarding possible rule-breaking related to in-person scouting of opponents. According to NCAA Bylaw 11.6.1, off-campus, in-person scouting of future opponents in the same season is prohibited. A violation of this bylaw would likely lead to a case going through the traditional infractions process.
Warde Manuel had a conversation with conference commissioner Tony Petitti on Wednesday. According to a source with knowledge of the allegations, as of noon on Thursday, Michigan had not yet received the evidence collected during the investigation.
One source, who was briefed on the allegations, stated that Michigan is being accused of employing an extensive network to steal opposing teams’ signs. The alleged evidence seems to suggest that the Wolverines had prior knowledge of the play the opposing team was about to run.
“The Big Ten Conference places the utmost importance on the integrity of competition and will continue to monitor the investigation,” the league said in a statement released on Thursday.
Upon learning about the pending investigation, Michigan State initially expressed concerns for the health and safety of its players, suggesting that they might consider not participating in Saturday’s game. However, on Thursday morning, Michigan State confirmed that the game will proceed as planned. Michigan’s upcoming opponents have been informed about the allegations, and the games are expected to take place accordingly, according to an industry source.
“As we look forward to the football game this Saturday, we are disappointed by the news of the NCAA investigation, and we fully support the Big Ten Conference’s commitment to integrity. While the allegations are concerning, we trust that they will be addressed through the NCAA’s established processes. Michigan State University has no further comment on this matter. Our focus is on supporting our team and ensuring a safe game-day environment on campus,” said a statement from Michigan State interim president Teresa Woodruff.
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh stated that he and his coaching staff will cooperate fully with the investigation.
“I have no knowledge or information regarding the University of Michigan football program illegally stealing signals, nor have I instructed any staff member or anyone else to engage in off-campus scouting activities,” Harbaugh said in a statement. “I am not aware of anyone on our staff who has done so or directed such actions.”
While the NCAA does not prohibit sign-stealing, unless a team intercepts in-game electronic communication, it has been a long-standing issue in college football, with numerous accusations and allegations over the years.
For example, in 2020, Clemson was widely regarded as the best sign-stealing program in college football. Prior to the 2020 Sugar Bowl, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day commented on how Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables always seemed to know exactly what the other team was planning.
In 2015, Arizona State coach Todd Graham was accused of signal-stealing by both Washington and Utah. In 2014, during halftime of a game, Kansas State coach Bill Snyder accused Auburn of sign-stealing. And in the BCS championship game the year before, Auburn was accused by Florida State of the same. The list goes on.
The question now for Michigan is whether these recent allegations go beyond on-field sign-stealing.
Michigan is currently under NCAA investigation for a series of Level II rule violations related to recruiting during a COVID dead period and statements made to NCAA investigators. Harbaugh has already served a three-game suspension imposed by the university.
— The Athletic’s Nicole Auerbach and Austin Meek contributed to this report.
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(Photo of Jim Harbaugh: David Berding / Getty)
