(AP) ANN ARBOR, Mich. A former employee of a Big Ten football program claimed on Monday that he was paid to steal signals and that, prior to his team’s game against Michigan, he received information from several conference schools in order to create a spreadsheet of the play-calling signals utilized by the Wolverines the previous season.
He talked under anonymity with The Associated Press because he was worried about how the revelations would affect his coaching career.
The employee claimed that after his school played the Jim Harbaugh-led program in 2022, he gave Michigan access to the documents, which featured the Wolverines’ signs and related plays.
Additionally, the individual sent the program screenshots of text messages exchanged with staff members from a few Big Ten football teams, including Michigan, providing evidence that other conference teams were in collusion.
claimed on Monday that his job was to steal signals and that, prior to his team’s game against Michigan, he had received information from several conference schools to create a spreadsheet of play-calling signals that the Wolverines had utilized the previous season.
He talked under anonymity with The Associated Press because he was worried about how the revelations would affect his coaching career.
The employee claimed that after his school played the Jim Harbaugh-led program in 2022, he gave Michigan access to the documents, which featured the Wolverines’ signs and related plays.
In addition, the individual sent the program screenshots of text messages between staff members from several Big Ten football teams and Michigan, providing evidence that the other conference teams were working together to steal signs from the Wolverines.
In an effort to support Harbaugh’s struggling program, he said he sent Michigan the extra information last week. He also expressed his belief that the head coach and his assistants are being unjustly held accountable for the misdeeds of a rogue employee.
Michigan’s opponents’ purported actions might be in violation of the Big Ten’s sportsmanship policy, which serves as the foundation for the conference’s argument against Michigan. Michigan was notified by the conference of possible disciplinary action, as both the school and the Big Ten confirmed on Monday.
An NCAA investigation has already been launched into No. 2 Michigan (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten) regarding an alleged ineligible in-person scouting and sign-stealing scheme. Connor Stalions, a former low-level employee, is accused of sending individuals to and attending opponents’ games.
As Harbaugh’s team attempts to win the conference title for the third time in a row and the school’s first national championship since 1997, the scandal has cast a shadow over them. On Saturday, Michigan takes on No. 9 Penn State; if the team was sidetracked by the controversy surrounding the program, it was evident on the field on Saturday. Purdue lost to the Wolverines 41–13.
Guard Zac Zinter told reporters on Monday, as the Wolverines resumed regular operations, “I’m fine with being the villain if that’s how the media and everyone else sees it outside the building.” However, there was one noteworthy guest at Schembechler Hall.
Pro wrestler Ric Flair visited Harbaugh. Flair shared a photo of himself and Harbaugh in the coach’s office on X along with the caption, “Just Spent The Morning With My Close Friend.”
While in-person scouting and using electronic equipment to steal signs are not prohibited by NCAA regulations, some of the accusations against Michigan point to a systematic and well-funded approach. While the university claims to be working with the NCAA, Harbaugh has denied knowing anything about the plot.
Two weeks after Michigan suspended him, Stalions announced his resignation last week. According to the lawyer for the Stalions, his client did not want to cause the team any problems.
The former Big Ten program staffer informed AP that he was unaware of any material that had been obtained against the rules. Speaking on condition of anonymity due to not being authorized to share the details, a person familiar with the situation said that the documents he gave to Michigan were shared with the Big Ten on Friday along with other materials.
Another individual with knowledge of the matter stated that the conference granted the school until early this week to react to the accusations and evidence that have been made. The individual only agreed to remain anonymous when speaking with AP because the Big Ten was keeping its interactions with Michigan a secret.
Last week, Big Ten coaches and athletic directors expressed their frustration and anger to Commissioner Tony Petitti via video conference. The ADs talked about penalties that could be imposed on Michigan, with a particular emphasis on suspending Harbaugh and other coaches.
According to Big Ten bylaws, the commissioner may impose a fine of up to $10,000 and a two-game suspension; however, the joint group executive committee, which is made up of executives from other Big Ten
Petti was met last Friday by athletic director Warde Manuel and Michigan President Santa Ono. Ono also emailed Petitti, requesting that the conference hold off on taking any action until after the NCAA investigation’s findings were received.
Ono stated, “We are aware that other Big 10 representatives are requesting that you act immediately, prior to conducting a thorough investigation and giving careful consideration to all the available data.” “And we both know that if accusations were made against their individuals or programs, it is not what any other member would want.”
Manuel announced that he would not be going to North Texas to take part in this week’s College Football Playoff selection committee meeting, given the cloud of investigation surrounding Harbaugh and his team.
Through his legal representative, Stalions stated that, as far as he was aware, none of the Michigan coaches had instructed anyone to violate the rules or had knowledge of any unethical behavior involving advance scouting. Earlier in the season, Harbaugh was suspended by the university for three games due to an unrelated NCAA violations case involving recruiting that is still pending
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Amy Folan, the athletic director of Central Michigan, stated earlier on Monday that the school was still investigating whether or not Stalions was on the sidelines for the Chippewas’ opening game of the season against Michigan State. She stated that Central Michigan is currently collaborating with the NCAA.
Following social media posts last week that featured someone dressed in Central Michigan gear, including a hat and sunglasses, during the night game, the school decided to investigate.
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