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Michigan sign-stealing updates: Latest news in NCAA investigation into Jim Harbaugh's team

kevin skiver and austin curtright, usa today network
·15 min read
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Jim Harbaugh's Michigan football team is being investigated by the NCAA for a massive scandal that involves unauthorized scouting and illicit recording of opposing sidelines. The school has already suspended staffer Connor Stalions, the analyst central to the alleged sign-stealing scandal, but the story has taken on a life of its own since being broken Oct. 19 by Yahoo Sports.

In the week that has followed, many high-profile coaches have been asked if they were aware of the Michigan Wolverines' operation. Moreover, reports of hard evidence found on Michigan's computers and via stadium surveillance has raised questions as to how involved the football team was in the alleged operation.

This is all in the midst of a dream season for the No. 3 Wolverines, who have dominated every team they've played en route to an 10-0 (7-0 Big Ten) record so far this year.

Per reports, sources at 12 different Big Ten schools have confirmed through ticket sales tracking that Stalions bought tickets to their games since 2021 under his own name. He also reportedly got tickets to potential College Football Playoff opponents' games, per Yahoo Sports.

It all added up to Harbaugh being suspended for the final three games of the regular season, including the season-finale against Ohio State.

REQUIRED READING: Michigan football NCAA investigations: What it means for Jim Harbaugh right now

One of the fascinating angles of the story is the sheer firehose of information that has been disseminated since news of the allegations broke. As this story continues to develop, here are all the latest updates to the Ann Arbor saga:

Latest updates on Michigan sign-stealing scandal

Michigan booster 'Uncle T' allegedly funded Connor Stalions' sign-stealing operation

Yahoo Sports reported Friday that Connor Stalions' advanced sign-stealing procedure was at least partially funded by a Michigan donor referenced as "Uncle T." The report noted the NCAA presented the university with new evidence this week, including the donor's involvement and that an assistant coach allegedly destroyed evidence after the initial news of the situation surfaced.

Both pieces of evidence reportedly changed Michigan and Jim Harbaugh's approach to fighting the Big Ten's decision to suspend Harbaugh three games, as Harbaugh dropped a temporary restraining order against the conference and commissioner Tony Petitti on Thursday.

Michigan also fired linebackers coach Chris Partridge on Friday, who according to the report is not believed to have been aware of Stalions' involvement prior to the news of it breaking. Partridge did however allegedly participate in destroying evidence after the fact.

"Effective today, Chris Partridge has been relieved of his duties as a member of the Michigan Football staff," the statement read from a team spokesperson. "Rick Minter will serve as the team’s linebackers coach."

Big Ten suspends Jim Harbaugh for rest of regular season

  • Friday, Nov. 10

  • Source: Big Ten Conference

In a statement Friday, the Big Ten announced it will be suspending Harbaugh for the rest of the regular season. That includes games against Penn State, Maryland and Ohio State.

The suspension specifies Harbaugh cannot coach the games themselves, but he can coach during the week.

NCAA Michigan findings have been revealed to Big Ten, conference considering next steps

It appears the next steps of this saga lie in the hands of the Big Ten.

The conference appears to be somewhat unclear on what its next move is going to be. The NCAA has presented its findings in the Michigan investigation to the conference, and the ball is now in the Big Ten's court to determine if it will levy a suspension against Harbaugh. Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel is remaining in Ann Arbor rather than joining CFP proceedings this week so as to figure out next steps.

Michigan punishment could come as soon as this week, may be Harbaugh suspension

  • Saturday, Nov. 4

  • Source: ESPN

A Michigan punishment could be coming sooner than later, ESPN's Pete Thamel reported.

While a punishment is unlikely to come before Michigan's game against Purdue Saturday, it could happen within the next few days. It appears a Jim Harbaugh suspension is on the table, and Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti has been taking steps towards leveling punishment at the behest of other voices within the Big Ten.

Connor Stalions resigns at Michigan

Michigan staffer Connor Stallions resigned from his post Friday, removing the centerpiece of the sign-stealing scandal from the program. U-M announced the departure following a report from The Athletic.

Stalions exited after refusing to cooperate with any internal or external investigations or discussions. Stalions had been suspended by the school with pay on Oct. 20.

Purdue coach Ryan Walters asserts his belief illegal sign-stealing happened

Purdue coach Ryan Walters confirmed on Thursday that he believes the sign-stealing was ongoing, citing ticket purchases as evidence that Michigan staffers were attending Purdue games.

"They aren't allegations. It happened," Walters said. "There's video evidence. There's ticket purchases you can track back. We know for a fact they were at a number of our games."

Big Ten football coaches express displeasure with sign-stealing investigation to commissioner Tony Petitti

According to a report by ESPN's Pete Thamel, a majority of Big Ten football coaches expressed criticism with the Michigan sign-stealing investigation in a video call to conference commissioner Tony Petitti on Wednesday.

The call took roughly 90 minutes, including nearly an hour without Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh, who hung up from the regularly scheduled meeting to allow other coaches to speak freely about the sign-stealing scandal.

ESPN also reported multiple of the coaches asked for the Big Ten to take action against Michigan.

Central Michigan coach Jim McElwain comments on program investigation

Central Michigan coach Jim McElwain commented Tuesday night on images that have surfaced on social media that appear to show Michigan staffer Connor Stalions on the CMU sideline during its game against Michigan State on Sept. 1.

"We obviously are aware of a picture floating around with the sign-stealer guy," McElwain told reporters. "Our people are doing everything they can to get to the bottom of it. We were totally unaware of it. I certainly don't condone it in any way, shape or form.

"I do know that his name was on none of the passes that were let out. Now we just keep tracing it back and tracing it back and try to figure it out. It's in good hands with our people, and again, there's no place in football for that."

Central Michigan investigating images that appear to be Connor Stalions

Central Michigan is investigating images that appear to show Michigan staffer Connor Stalions wearing Chippewas gear on its sidelines for its game against Michigan State on Sept. 1, CMU athletic director Amy Folan said in a statement Tuesday. "We became award of these photos late yesterday and we are in the process of determining the facts surrounding them," Folan said. "As this process is ongoing, we have no further comment at this time."

The images of a man that looks similar to Stalions started appearing on the internet Monday.

Harbaugh denies Michigan rescinded contract extension offer

Harbaugh on Monday denied reports that Michigan had rescinded a contract offer amid allegations, saying he "wouldn't say that's accurate."

Reports from the Wall Street Journal over the weekend indicated the Wolverines pulled an offer that would have made him the highest-paid coach in college football. Harbaugh later added it's against policy to take about contract negotations.

Harbaugh would likely also serve potential suspension in NFL if he leaves college football

  • Date: Sunday, Oct. 29

  • Source: NFL.com

According to a report from NFL.com's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, Harbaugh could face punishment in the NFL if the NCAA, Big Ten or Michigan decide to punish him in light of allegations of sign-stealing. As noted by NFL.com, the league doesn't have a bylaw on college players and coaches trying to circumvent punishment in college football by leaving for the NFL. But there is precedent that suggests Harbaugh could face punishment by the league if he decides to take that route.

Sources told NFL.com something similar happened to Ohio State coach Jim Tressel after he was suspended five games by the Buckeyes in 2011 before he ultimately resigned. When he later joined the Indianapolis Colts as a consultant, he still served what was effectively a suspension, though it never officially received that designation. The NFL allowed the Colts to handle the case, and Tressel didn't join the Colts until Week 7 of the 2011 season.

Harbaugh, who coached the 49ers from 2011-14, reportedly interviewed for the Vikings' opening in 2022 and the Broncos job in 2023.

One Big Ten school warned about Michigan ball boys listening to signals on sideline

According to a report by Sports Illustrated's Pat Forde, multiple unnamed sources from a Big Ten school said they were warned by another coach in the conference that Michigan's ball boys on their sideline would listen in on play calls and communicate information back to the Wolverines' sideline. SI added the ball boys would hold the ball in one hand for a pass, and the other for a run.

Michigan reportedly rescinds record-breaking contract extension to Jim Harbaugh

According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, Michigan rescinded a new contract offer to Harbaugh that would make him the highest-paid coach in college football amid the sign-stealing allegations. Harbaugh is in line to lead the Wolverines to their third consecutive College Football Playoff appearance this season as No. 2 Michigan boasts an 8-0 record. A Michigan spokesperson also told Wall Street Journal it doesn't comment on employment contracts until they are completed and executed.

Former D-III coach speaks out about his role in sign-stealing scandal

  • Date: Friday, Oct. 27

  • Source: ESPN

A former D-III staffer talked to ESPN's Dan Murphy about his role in the Michigan sign-stealing scandal, saying he was paid a few hundred dollars by Stalions and got tickets to a Michigan home game.

The man said he thought he was operating in a gray area of NCAA rules and it wasn't about personal game, but rather getting paid to go to various Big Ten games. Over the past two years, he said he went to three Big Ten games to record opponents.

TCU knew of Michigan's sign stealing in College Football Playoff

Yahoo Sports reported Thursday that TCU was aware of Michigan's sign-stealing attempts in last season's College Football Playoff semifinal and threw "dummy signals" at the Wolverines in response, according to unnamed Horned Frogs coaches. The dummy signals were old plays that had since been changed.

Yahoo Sports also reported that multiple coaches from the Big Ten reached out to TCU after the matchup was unveiled to prepare them for switching up its signals, with Michigan's sign stealing an apparent widely known system across the Big Ten. Not only did the Horned Frogs switch up their signals, but they used it to their advantage to trick Michigan.

READ MORE: Michigan football allegations of cheating stand to stain Jim Harbaugh, team's legacy

The FBI joined investigation into Matt Weiss months ago

Former Michigan co-offensive coordinator Matt Weiss is embroiled in a separate investigation. Weiss was placed on leave and subsequently fired in January by the university after U-M police got reports of computer access crimes in Schembechler Hall from Dec. 21-23. It was confirmed the FBI has been working with U-M police for months to uncover Weiss' role in the reported breach. He has not been arrested, and U-M police said the Weiss investigation is “not related to the sign-stealing allegation in any way.”

NCAA enforcement team at University of Michigan to investigate

  • Date: Thursday, Oct. 26

  • Source: ESPN

It shouldn't come as a surprise due to the breadth of the allegations against U-M, but an NCAA enforcement team is onsite in Ann Arbor investigation the sign-stealing charges against Michigan.

Michigan staffers are having their electronics looked into as well.

Michigan computers reportedly contain hard evidence of scandal

The Washington Post reported Wednesday that it wasn't a hunch or a rumor that kicked off this investigation: It was good, old-fashioned evidence.

Per The Post, an outside firm approached the NCAA on Oct. 17 with drives accessed by multiple coaches containing evidence of illegal scouting. The organization subsequently opened its own investigation into Michigan's alleged illicit actions.

The evidence suggests a wider network of sign-stealing, although Harbaugh himself was not directly implicated. Per the Post, Michigan expected to spend more than $15,000 in 2023 sending scouts to more than 40 games played by 10 different opponents. Wolverines scouts reportedly planned to attend eight Ohio State games and "four or five" games involving Georgia, the two-time defending national champion.

REQUIRED READING: Connor Stalions reportedly texted about stealing signs from TV

Stalions reportedly bought tickets to non-Big Ten teams

The day after the Big Ten reports emerged, ESPN reported Stalions also bought tickets to non-Big Ten games that featured potential College Football Playoff opponents.

Sources told both ESPN and Yahoo Sports that Stalions bought tickets to the 2021 and 2022 SEC title games, both of which featured eventual national champion Georgia. The 2021 game also featured Alabama, a team that later made the Playoff as the 1-seed. Tickets for both games were bought on secondary markets.

At the same time as the SEC rumors emerged, a source from a 12th Big Ten school told ESPN it confirmed Stalions purchased tickets to its games.

Yahoo Sports also reported Stalions bought tickets to regular-season games, including the Tennessee-Kentucky game on Oct. 28, 2022 and Oregon-Washington game on Nov. 12, 2022. Clemson also is mentioned as a team Stalions is "believed" to have bought tickets to watch.

Connor Stalions reportedly bought tickets to more than 30 Big Ten games

  • Date: Monday, Oct. 23

  • Source: ESPN

After Michigan defeated Michigan State last Saturday, its high was short-lived. ESPN reported on Monday that Stalions bought tickets to more than 30 Big Ten games and 11 different opponents, none of whom Michigan was playing on that given day.

That includes tickets on both side of Ohio Stadium for the Week 8 game between Penn State and Ohio State (those seats went unused). There were also indications Stalions forwarded those tickets to other parties, suggesting a broader network than just himself

The ESPN report indicated the NCAA was expected to receive video evidence of illegal use of technology in the scouting scandal. The report indicated stadium surveillance video showed a person — sitting in the seat for which Stalions bought a ticket — holding their smartphone up and filming the home team's sideline.

OPINION: Sign-stealing allegations against Michigan cast a pall over its triumphant climb

Michigan suspends Connor Stalions

The day after the story broke, Michigan announced Stalions was suspended with pay for his alleged role in the sign-stealing investigation.

Stalions is a retired captain from the U.S. Marine Corps and a graduate of the United States Naval Academy. He was hired as an off-field analyst for Michigan in May 2022.

Jim Harbaugh denies knowledge of sign-stealing in Michigan program

  • Date: Thursday, Oct. 19

  • Source: Jim Harbaugh

On the same day as the allegations broke, Harbaugh issued a strong denial of any knowledge of stealing signs.

"I want to make it clear that I, and my staff, will fully cooperate with the investigation into this matter," Harbaugh said. "I do not have any knowledge or information regarding the University of Michigan football program illegally stealing signals, nor have I directed staff members or others to participate in an off-campus scouting assignment. I have no awareness of anyone on our staff having done that or having directed that action.

"I do not condone or tolerate anyone doing anything illegal or against the NCAA rules. No matter what program or organization that I have led throughout my career, my instructions and awareness of how we scout opponents have always been firmly within the rules. Pursuant to NCAA rules, I will not be able to comment further while this investigation takes place."

Yahoo Sports breaks news of Michigan sign-stealing scandal

On Thursday, Oct. 19 — just days ahead of Michigan's game against Michigan State — Yahoo Sports broke the story that two of Michigan's opponents were aware of the Wolverines intercepting their signals.

Although scouting opponents is not illegal, sending staffers to games instead of using provided video is a subversion of the spirit of the rules. Impermissible recording is also prohibited. After the story broke, Michigan State was notified of the allegations against Michigan.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Michigan football sign-stealing investigation: What you need to know