Michigan football under NCAA investigation for sign-stealing

Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh faces a continuing NCAA investigation, alongside the Wolverines’ self-imposed three-game suspension at the start of the 2023 season. The governing body of college football is now pursuing an additional offense against the maize and blue.

Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger and Dan Wetzel reported, informed by The Wolverine’s Chris Balas, that the NCAA is examining whether the Wolverines engaged in sign-stealing.

Yahoo Sports sources state that the NCAA is investigating the University of Michigan football program for alleged violations of rules prohibiting the scouting of future opponents in person. The NCAA holds that off-campus, in-person scouting of future opponents in the same season is prohibited (Bylaw 11.6.1), but the association declined to provide further details.

While sign-stealing is not specifically prohibited in college football and is perceived as a common practice, the issue at hand is determining whether the Wolverines employed this tactic in person or through video means.

Sign stealing is a traditionally accepted part of the game, while personally scouting opponents has been banned since 1994. It remains unknown whether the NCAA suspects the involvement of Michigan staffers or people loyal to the program. The nature of sharing information, whether through videos or other methods, and Coach Jim Harbaugh’s potential involvement also remains undisclosed.

Stay updated on this developing story.

Story originally appeared on Wolverines Wire