ANN ARBOR, Mich. – According to reports, University of Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh has not been linked in the alleged sign-stealing scandal by the NCAA.
On Monday (Nov. 6), Yahoo Sports indicated that the NCAA’s findings did not connect Harbaugh to the in-person scouting and recording of opponents’ sidelines operation allegedly led by former recruiting analyst Connor Stalions.
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The league is looking to suspend Harbaugh for multiple games during the November stretch of the season, but reports indicated that the findings by the NCAA needed more evidence, which could lead to a potential lawsuit from the university if harsh discipline were to be handed down.
Due to the leagues’ investigation, Stalions informed the university on Friday (Nov. 3) afternoon that he would be stepping down from his position with the football team.
“Connor Stalions resigned his position with Michigan Athletics this afternoon. We are unable to comment further regarding this personnel matter.”
David Ablauf, Associate Athletic Director, University of Michigan Athletic Department
Stalions and his attorney explained his reasonings for stepping down as he said he did not want to be a distraction.
“As he informed the school earlier today, Connor chose to resign because recent stories regarding his time with the University of Michigan have created a distraction for the team,” said attorney Brad Beckworth. “He hopes his resignation will help the team and coaching staff focus on tomorrow’s game and the remainder of the season. Connor also wants to make it clear that, to his knowledge, neither Coach Harbaugh, nor any other coach or staff member, told anyone to break any rules or were aware of improper conduct regarding the recent allegations of advanced scouting.”
More news came out on Monday by the Associated Press that a former employee from a Big Ten school said it was his job to steal signs and he was given details from multiple league sources to compile a spreadsheet of play-calling signals used by the Wolverines during the 2022 season.
The person involved in the ordeal said he shared the spreadsheet and screenshots of text message exchanges with staffers at other Big Ten schools.
Harbaugh has denied any knowledge of the alleged scheme to steal signs from future opponents through scouting trips to out-of-town games and he told reporters that he would cooperate in their investigation.
The Wolverines (9-0) are coming off of a 41-13 drubbing against the Purdue Boilermakers in a game that was the Big Ten Championship rematch from 2022.
The men in maize are now entering the toughest part of their schedule as they have three tough games standing in the way of their goals.
Their week 11 matchup will be down in Happy Valley as they will take on the No. 11 ranked Penn State Nittany Lions.
The game, which kicks off at 12 p.m. Saturday, will be their first game against a ranked opponent in the 2023 season.
