Getty Image
Late last week, reports that the Michigan Wolverines were involved in a sign-stealing operation were met by many questioning just how serious the alleged violations were. Details have trickled out as the week has gone on, with the most damning evidence so far being reported in a Washington Post article that was published Wednesday evening.
And, for the Michigan Wolverines, it’s not a good look. And, they could be in serious trouble.
In case this is the first you’re hearing about any of this, here is a quick rundown. Former Marine Captain Connor Stalions has been a paid staff member for the Michigan Wolverines since 2022, and has been around the program for much longer. The allegations say the Stalions was at the center of a spy ring where people were sent to games of potential Michigan opponents with seats purchased by Stalions to film the signals of their potential opponents. Allegedly, this information was used by Stalions to bust the signs, and give Michigan an advantage, as they would know what the signs meant and have an inkling of what was coming.
Videos showing Stalions, a low-level staffer, talking to Michigan offensive and defensive coordinators prior to plays, while allegedly holding sheets of paper with pictures of signs on them, have made the rounds as well.
And, the Washington Post article makes things even worse for the Wolverines. Here are some of the most interesting passages.
The sign-stealing investigation threatening to disrupt Michigan’s football season began after an outside investigative firm approached the NCAA with documents and videos the firm said it had obtained from computer drives maintained and accessed by multiple Michigan coaches, according to two people familiar with the matter, evidence that suggests the scandal’s impact could broaden beyond the suspension of one low-level assistant.
The outside firm also presented to NCAA officials photographs of people investigators believed to be Michigan scouts in action — including current students interning with the football team. The photos showed these people seated at games of Michigan opponents this season, aiming their cellphones at the sidelines. Days later, the outside firm told the NCAA, cellphone videos depicting the coaching staffs from these games were uploaded to a computer drive maintained and accessed by Stalions as well as several other Michigan assistants and coaches.
The outside firm also presented to NCAA officials photographs of people investigators believed to be Michigan scouts in action — including current students interning with the football team. The photos showed these people seated at games of Michigan opponents this season, aiming their cellphones at the sidelines. Days later, the outside firm told the NCAA, cellphone videos depicting the coaching staffs from these games were uploaded to a computer drive maintained and accessed by Stalions as well as several other Michigan assistants and coaches.
So, maybe a program that was mired in mediocrity for years, with a two-win season in 2020, didn’t suddenly just get much better at football? It seems to be a logical conclusion that the fact they’ve lost just three games since the start of the 2021 season may have something to do with the fact that they knew what plays their opponents were running.
Also, how bad at cheating do you have to be to leave an itemized budget for funding the cheating and a schedule of when you’re going to cheat? Michigan wasn’t empowering its best and brightest here, folks.