Michigan Under Investigation For Sign Stealing

selmaborntidefan

TideFans Legend
Mar 31, 2000
38,554
33,796
287
55
And now we know why they've been winning so much lately......

NCAA investigating No. 2 Michigan amid sign-stealing allegations - ESPN



The University of Michigan and the Big Ten were both notified by the NCAA of the investigation Wednesday, and the conference said it had notified the Wolverines' future opponents.

"The Big Ten Conference considers the integrity of competition to be of utmost importance and will continue to monitor the investigation," it said in a statement.

The NCAA does not have rules specifically against stealing signs but does prohibit in-person advanced scouting of opponents and also does have bylaws prohibiting unsportsmanlike activities.
 

selmaborntidefan

TideFans Legend
Mar 31, 2000
38,554
33,796
287
55
Now let me add a note: you're incredibly naive if you think Michigan is the only school doing this.

And while I'm against using high video focusing to learn this stuff, I've never understood why people get mad about attempting to steal the other team's "signals." That has gone on forever and will go on forever.

"Well, Auburn stole FSU's signals in 2013."

So?

I mean, you think they don't all try this to some degree?
 

Joefus

All-SEC
Jan 3, 2021
1,409
1,375
187
We did it to Florida in the prothro game but the level some teams do this is just absurd. I’m of the mind Clemson should have been nailed for it as should have auburn. I also think Houston should have forfeited that World Series win. Gamesmanship is one thing but at these levels it’s just cheating
 
  • Thank You
Reactions: Crimson Steel

davefrat

Hall of Fame
Jun 4, 2002
6,134
5,970
282
Hopewell, VA
Honestly don't really care.

I'm guessing everyone does it if they have the chance to do it.

I don't care one way or the other about Michigan, I do like Harbaugh because he's an odd dude, and the NCAA obviously has a bone to pick with the guy.

To paraphrase Churchill..."If the NCAA invaded hell, I'd side with the devil."
 

Cruloc

Hall of Fame
Sep 1, 2019
6,891
12,192
187
None of it is illegal....I know even in 12 year old allstars we would change up signals or any codes we used if we even had an inkling that the opposition had picked up on what we were doing. I mean really, you can't whine about having your signals stolen....just change the signals. There should be a plan in place.

The difference with that title game where Clemson blew us out.....they practiced for us for 3 or more weeks. They never practiced for Notre Dame, they were all in on picking up signals, tendencies, and whatever else they could see.

For Michigan, I'd expect their Penn State and Ohio State games......for their opponents to have changed up signals if they didn't already have that practice. To me, its all part of the game.....unless monitors are used to specifically try to steal something midgame....like what the Astros did.
 

Coach D

1st Team
Apr 27, 2023
515
789
117
As GAs we were told to look and see if we can see signs in film and decode them. Literally every team does. Like others said above it is just to which extent they are.
 

CB4

Hall of Fame
Aug 8, 2011
11,395
18,340
187
Birmingham, AL
I remember when I was coaching travel baseball I had a friend that coached another team. He was coaching third base. The catcher for the other team was signaling so low he could pick up whether it was a fast ball or an off speed like a curve of change up.

So he told his players, “listen for me to say your number. Like “be ready 22” or “stay through the ball 15”. If I do, then it’s fast ball. If I don’t call your number can look for a breaking ball or a change up”.

I don’t consider that cheating. That’s sloppiness of the part of the player and the opposing coach. The same as a pitcher “tipping pitches”.

Same holds true in football. Everyone looks for an edge. Noticing how a lineman positions themselves. Where a DB “shades” in certain situations. And even picking up signals.

And if you as a coach aren’t changing them frequently enough that the opponent can “catch on”, that’s on you.
 
Last edited:

Joefus

All-SEC
Jan 3, 2021
1,409
1,375
187
I mean how much can you really change mid game though? I imagine at some point in that Clemson game we knew they knew our signals but what can you do at that point really? That’s one thing I absolutely LOVE about kiffin. Yeah he got us real close to delay of games but he could change it up so quick with that whistle it didn’t matter if you had our signals. Slightly off topic but I’ll go to my grave thinking firing him before the championship game was the wrong move. They knew what we were doing before we did it with sark calling the plays. With that whistle and kiffin’s ability to change it up last second I think we would’ve won by a couple of scores
 

JohnD

All-SEC
Dec 22, 2003
1,011
1,450
282
Now let me add a note: you're incredibly naive if you think Michigan is the only school doing this.

And while I'm against using high video focusing to learn this stuff, I've never understood why people get mad about attempting to steal the other team's "signals." That has gone on forever and will go on forever.

"Well, Auburn stole FSU's signals in 2013."

So?

I mean, you think they don't all try this to some degree?
Dabo says "nuh - uh".
 

Latest threads