REPORT: Michigan football program was victim of sign-stealing

Today, the Associated Press published a report that relies on an ex-Big Ten staffer, who claims that other conference schools had scouted the Michigan football program and stole its signs last fall. This appears to be major news for the Wolverines, who are currently under investigation by the NCAA for alleged illegal sign-stealing methods.

Michigan football program was victim of sign-stealing

The AP News just published a report that appears to bode well for Michigan football, as it shows that the Wolverines were not the only ones allegedly stealing signs. Per the report, an ex-Big Ten staffer claims that it was his job to steal signs. He goes on to state that multiple Big Ten schools gave him information to compile a spreadsheet of play-calling signals that were used against Jim Harbaugh and Michigan football last fall.

The spreadsheet was compiled with details from a handful of coaches and programs across the Big Ten, per the report. This means that there were multiple Big Ten schools working to get Michigan’s signs in advance, and it sounds like there is hard evidence — such as text message screen shots — to prove it.

The report goes on to state that this ex-staffer wishes to remain anonymous to protect his coaching career; however, he has reportedly turned over evidence to the University of Michigan in hopes that it would help their battle against the current investigations into the Michigan football program. “He also said he gave the details to Michigan last week because he hoped it would help Jim Harbaugh’s embattled program, and he believes Harbaugh and his coaches are being unfairly blamed for the actions of a rogue staffer,” the AP’s report reads.

For now, this is yet another twist in the Michigan football sign-stealing investigation — one which could play right into the Wolverines’ hands as things continue to unfold.

Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics and Big Ten content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Publisher at [email protected]. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!