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The Michigan sign stealing scandal has been the headline of college football over the last week. Reports of potential wrongdoing have cast a shadow over the Wolverines’ recent success.
That success includes back-to-back wins over rival Ohio State and a pair of College Football Playoff appearances.
A third seems to be on the table given UM’s 8-0 start, though matchups with Penn State and the Buckeyes remain on the schedule. But while Michigan’s dominance on the football field has been impressive, the off-field issues have created a sense of doubt from the outside.
News recently broke claiming the program was sending plants to videotape the sidelines in opposing venues. Connor Stalions, a Michigan staff member, reportedly purchased tickets to more than 30 games in order to scout both future Big Ten opponents and potential College Football Playoff contenders.
That videotape footage would theoretically be studied to decipher hand signals as a way to gameplan and create an in-game edge. In actuality, there’s less than a five-second window in games to identify signals, and adjust accordingly, so there is a large “much ado about nothing” element to the accusations.
As more details come out, the larger the operation appears. The breadth of the scandal seems to span from coast to coast with teams from the ACC, SEC, and PAC 12 having been linked to Stalions’ ticket purchases.
But where did the original tip come from? Is this something that was stumbled upon by the NCAA or a rival school? Some Michigan supporters believe the information is coming from closer to home.
Michigan sign stealing info leaking from inside?
Michigan insider and NYT Best Selling author John U. Bacon appeared on 97.1 The Fan in Columbus to talk about the scandal. He claims to know exactly where the information is coming from.
“As far as the leaking goes, I would guarantee that is where it’s coming from (Jim Stapleton).”
Bacon is connected in Ann Arbor, leading one to believe he wouldn’t make an accusation like this without knowledge of the situation.
The man mentioned by Bacon is Jim Stapleton, someone very involved in Michigan sports. But why?
The Wolverines are in the midst of their best run in recent memory, developing into a perennial playoff power under Jim Harbaugh. What’s his potential motive in watching the Big House crumble?
Who is Jim Stapleton and what’s his vendetta?
A huge Michigan booster, Stapleton also happens to be a member of the NCAA Committee of Infractions. Sports Illustrated actually wrote a piece on Stapleton joining that committee, labeling it as a position “most would run from.”
All a part of the plan?
Stapleton has a lonnnnng history with UM football – particularly pertaining to its coaching hires.
This goes back to the days of Rich Rodriguez and Brady Hoke.
As I reported in Three and Out, after Stapleton had been accused of sabotaging U-M coach Rich Rodriguez he wrote a 4-page letter refuting the charges, but still had his sideline pass revoked. He is now one of Harbaugh’s critics, hoping to persuade the Wilfs to reject him. (10/13)
— John U. Bacon (@Johnubacon) February 2, 2022
After hearing Bacon’s comments, message board users started digging. One particular thread on the MGO Blog breaks things down.
Some claim that he felt spurned by the university when it opted to go in the direction of Harbaugh as opposed to “his guy” Ron English in its 2014 coaching search.
Interestingly enough, it wouldn’t be the first time he’s attempted to sabotage Harbaugh. Stapleton’s reach also extends to the NFL.
Michigan Insider @SamWebb77 mentions Harbaugh’s other adversary in his report today:
“There is a minority stakeholder in the Vikings with strong Michigan ties who has been adamant in expressing the view that one of the other candidates would be a better choice.” (8/13)— John U. Bacon (@Johnubacon) February 2, 2022
Bacon suggests that he also had a hand in torpedoing Harbaugh’s chances with the Vikings, a franchise in which he’s a minority owner.
Is one man single-handedly trying to bring down Jim Harbaugh, and potentially Michigan in the process? The theory has grown legs, and fans are running with it.