Posted on 11/02/2023 7:20:36 AM PDT by FLNittany
A vast majority of the Big Ten coaches expressed their frustrations with the ongoing signal-stealing investigation at Michigan in a video call with commissioner Tony Petitti on Wednesday, sources told ESPN.
The call, which took 90 minutes, included nearly an hour without Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, who hung up after the regularly scheduled Big Ten business to allow the conference's coaches to speak freely about the NCAA's investigation into Michigan.
According to five sources familiar with the call, a chorus of voices encouraged Petitti to take action against Michigan in a call that was described as both intense and emotional.
"Collectively, the coaches want the Big Ten to act -- right now," said a source familiar with the call. "What are we waiting on? We know what happened." Editor's Picks
CMU probes Stalions' potential sideline presence 1dAdam Rittenberg and Pete Thamel Harbaugh denies U-M rescinded extension offer 3dDan Murphy Michigan sign-stealing allegations: Latest on investigation, punishments and more 7dESPN
The NCAA has been investigating Michigan for nearly two weeks, as the Big Ten confirmed the NCAA's sign-stealing investigation on Oct. 19. Since that time, ESPN has reported that Michigan staffer Connor Stalions emerged as a centerpiece of the investigation and has purchased tickets to the games of 12 of 13 Big Ten opponents over the last three years.
Overall, Stalions has purchased tickets to more than 35 games in at least 17 stadiums over the last three years, ESPN reported. Michigan suspended Stalions the same day ESPN reported he was the center of the investigation. A former Division III coach also told ESPN he was paid by Stalions to video games at multiple Big Ten schools.
The coaches in the Big Ten laid out to Petitti, who was hired in April, just how distinct of a schematic advantage Michigan has held the last three years by illegally obtaining the opposition's signals ahead of time, as has been alleged.
Coaches used words like "tainted," "fraudulent" and "unprecedented" on the call to describe Michigan's signal-stealing scheme, as has been alleged. Much of the call, according to sources, was coaches explaining to Petitti both how it worked and how it impacted them and their programs. Both in-person opponent scouting and using electronic equipment to steal signals are not allowed by NCAA rules.
In the three years that Stalions left a paper trail of purchasing tickets to games of Michigan opponents, the Wolverines have gone 33-3 overall and 22-1 in Big Ten play. In the prior three years, they were 21-11 overall and 16-8 in league play.
"People don't understand the seriousness of it," said another source. "How it truly impacted the game plan. To truly know if it's a run or a pass, people don't understand how much of an advantage that was for Michigan."
There was anger interspersed throughout the call, as one source described the sentiment as: "Every game they played is tainted."
The coaches acknowledged the reality on the call that the NCAA enforcement timeline won't impact Michigan this season, as the Wolverines are 8-0 and No. 3 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings. And that's one reason the Big Ten coaches called on action from the Big Ten.
Sources described Petitti as listening carefully to the coaches, but not tipping his hand in what direction he may go. Sources expressed curiosity as to whether the Big Ten is truly interested in taking action or just listening to coaches so they can be heard.
The Big Ten technically has authority under its Sportsmanship Policy to punish Michigan or members of the coaching staff.
That's been considered unlikely in this case in the near future, as it's unusual to have an NCAA case unfolding in real time. While plenty of evidence has emerged in media reports, the league would likely be unable to use those as a fact set to make a decision.
The league could also initiate its own investigation into potential violations of the Big Ten's sportsmanship policy. While Petitti has authority to dictate discipline, if it's beyond a standard level it must be looked at by an executive committee that could approve, deny or lessen that discipline.
League officials did not respond to request for comment late Wednesday.
"I don't think the Big Ten understood how upset everyone was," said another source. "The tenor of the call was asking the Big Ten to show leadership -- the conference and the presidents. An unprecedented violation of the rules would require unprecedented action from the Big Ten."
It’s a seller’s market!
I've no idea if it's true or not and frankly don't care. There's nothing in this world that isn't corrupted anymore, so why is anyone surprised at anything anymore? I'm not.
It's like just when you ask yourself "can it get any worse than this?" fate clears it's throat and says "hold my beer 'n watch this!"
Nothing surprises me anymore.
Ohio State is behind all this stuff on MI... They don’t want to have to play them this year and that would insure they would be in the final 4 for the national championship because of their weak schedule and they think MAYBE they can beat Georgia this year.... some games are won or lost not on the field. Go DAWGS
"People don't understand the seriousness of it," said another source. "How it truly impacted the game plan. To truly know if it's a run or a pass, people don't understand how much of an advantage that was for Michigan."
I don't really consider it "stupid" to try and ensure a level playing field - where one team doesn't know Run or Pass on nearly every single down.
Maybe in another 40 years they might be. Assuming the McCaskey family doesn’t own them anymore.
A failure to punish Michigan right now this season while they are continuing to benefit directly from their espionage would be allowing them pocket their ill-gotten gains. Justice delayed is justice denied. They should be disqualified from the league championship and from post season play - at the very least.
I don’t see how they’ll be able to do it, Michigan would simply appeal it, and it will get dragged out.
Reminds me a bit of Auburn 2010 - everyone knew they were going immediate probation - right after they win the national championship anyway.
It’s a stupid rule because why in blazes are they still using manual signals?! Really radios in the helmets aren’t new technology. The NFL pulled it off, though they still stupidly limit it to 1 radio on the field per team. NCAA should make the smart leap and give all players radios. And of course in this world any team that isn’t changing up the signs constantly is just dumb. Scouts are a part of all sports, the minute you say a team can’t scout opponents you’re in dumb land.
Does Harbaugh have plausible deniability at this point?
Also, if he does, will it survive a thorough investigation
Our anti-American woketard institution is more virtuous than your anti-American woketard institution.
I don’t get it .. if you’re good enough, you win regardless what the other team’s doing.
Only the conference could do something now. And I believe they could (and make it stand) - if they want to. The ncaa means nothing as far as this season goes obviously.
I agree w/ the radio headsets, and I think we’ll see them next season.
That doesn’t make any of this go away though.
astros fan
The Bill Buttholeocheck and the New England Cheatriots are sure to want him!
Michigan (as shown on numerous videos) knew whether the opposing team was going to run or throw the ball - and to which side - before the play was run. This allowed them to adjust their defense accordingly.
If I know you’re going to run the ball, I bring up my safeties and linebackers to stuff the run. If I know you’re going to pass the ball, I drop them all back into coverage.
No idea. I just find it hysterical that this guy wrote a 500 page manifesto on Michigan Football.
The only difference between then and now is that the quality of the video equipment used to film the games is vastly superior now.
A friend was the assistant coach of a class A high school team here in S.E. Mich. and they were always filming the games of upcoming opponents and studying them in preparation for the next game
I just see it as gathering intel, opposition research or what not.
If you don't want your signals hacked do like our intel agencies do. Have countermeasures in place. If they are hacking your voice coms use encryption etc.
If you are skilled at your craft and know you they are stealing your signals fill them with misinformation. If you steal their single telling you the next play will be a run and is turns out to be a pass you just got punked.
Its all part of the game.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.