University of Michigan football sign-stealing scandal

In 2023, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) opened an investigation into sign stealing accusations against staff members of the Michigan Wolverines football team.

[1][2][3] The scope of the University of Michigan's alleged sign-stealing operation included both video evidence of electronics prohibited by the NCAA to steal signs and a significant paper trail, per sources.

Michigan staffer Connor Stalions purchased tickets in his own name for more than 30 games over three years at 11 different Big Ten schools.

[10] Central Michigan removed their QB coach, a former Harbaugh assistant, and continues to cooperate with the NCAA investigation without comment.

In response to the NCAA allegation that “at least two members of the football program raised concerns about Stalions' process for deciphering opponents' signals,” it was noted that Partridge told Stalions directly “You’re not using this kid in your signal organization stupid thing, so, like, just have him be a manager.” Per the NCAA, “The information was not reported to compliance for further review and/or willfully ignored so as to not learn about the potential violations.”[17] On November 6, 2023, a former employee of a rival Big Ten team, linked multiple college football teams to the sign-stealing scandal as well and claimed to the Associated Press that it was his job to steal signs and that he was given details from multiple league schools, allowing him to compile a spreadsheet of play-calling signals used by Michigan.

[18] On November 7, a University of Michigan source alleged to The Athletic that Rutgers, Ohio State and Purdue had stolen Wolverine sign signals and shared them as well, with documented evidence backing this claim.

[22][23] Sign stealing generally refers to the practice of covertly identifying the hand signals used by opposition coaches to instruct their players during a game.

However, with the increasing emphasis on no-huddle offenses in the 21st century, signaling plays from the sideline became necessary, prompting teams to attempt to steal opponents' signs.

Bylaw 11.6.1.1 states that an institutional staff member cannot in-person advance scout a common opponent in the same season.

Unlike the NFL, the NCAA prohibited the use of coach-to-player audio technology (except in bowl games[22]), also due to differing program resources.

[25] On November 6, 2023, the NCAA reported that they found no connection between head coach Jim Harbaugh and the illegal sign-stealing done by Stalions.

[29][30] On November 17, 2023, Wolverines linebackers coach Chris Partridge was fired for allegedly instructing current members of the football team how to respond to questions relating to the sign-stealing scheme.

Baker defended his decision to inform the university and the Big Ten during the season that the NCAA was investigating the allegations due to his concern that it may have been impacting the outcome of games.

[36] Former Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops heavily criticized Michigan, stating that "If it’s true, oh, absolutely (it is a big deal).

[38] Alternatively, Colin Cowherd of Fox Sports called the scandal overblown, stating that "So for the record, everybody — just like cannabis and sports gambling — everybody’s stealing signs, they just do it differently; I do not believe that guy in the TV picture is the difference between Michigan and Ohio State.

"[41] On July 22, 2024, ESPN reported that Netflix would be airing an episode featuring Connor Stalions in its ongoing Untold series called "Sign Stealer".