Ohio State coach knew of Michigan football sign stealing

There is a lot of talk about the current NCAA investigation into Jim Harbaugh and Michigan football sign-stealing — it is the second active investigation into the Wolverines, joining the NCAA’s year-long hunt to suspend Harbaugh over 2020 recruiting violations, deemed ‘Burgergate.’ Yesterday, Yahoo Sports reported that multiple opposing Big Ten coaches knew of Connor Stalions and his ability to pick signs; included in the report is a quote from an Ohio State coaching staff member (anonymous), who claims to have known of the Wolverines’ sign-stealing last year.

Ohio State coach knew of Michigan football sign stealing

The current Michigan football sign stealing investigation is a major toss-up for the time being. If the allegations are true, then Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines will be in some hot water; however, that is a pretty big “if” as of right now.

While Michigan is known for stealing signs — which is legal — the big question is about the Wolverines’ methodology in doing so. According to a member of the Ohio State coaching staff, who spoke with Yahoo Sports, the Buckeyes were warned of Connor Stalions heading into last year’s game, and even “changed things up” ahead of the game in order to prevent Michigan football from knowing what was coming.

“We heard they had a guy (Connor Stalions) pick plays pretty good and had all this information from not your typical ways of getting the signals,” said the Ohio State coach. “We get into the game, and it’s the second quarter. I see him across the field, and he’s checking his 11×17 sheet.”

Little info available regarding NCAA investigation into Michigan for sign stealing

Another anonymous Big Ten coach added that they were also warned of Michigan football sign stealing, yet could not change their signals before the game.

“We were told to be careful because they (Michigan) had a guy who could pick plays,” one Big Ten head coach told Yahoo Sports. “It was too late in the week to change our signals, but another staff did tell us about him.”

Despite the investigation, which is yet to produce any public evidence that Michigan football did anything wrong, the Wolverines will face Michigan State tomorrow evening under the lights in East Lansing. If victorious, Michigan will improve to 8-0 heading into a well-earned Week 9 bye.

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