Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, who served a self-imposed three-game suspension earlier this season, and his team are once again in trouble. According to a report by Dan Wetzel and Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports, the program is being investigated by the NCAA for alleged sign stealing.
Social media didn’t take long to weigh in on Harbaugh’s latest allegation, including NFL personalities and former gridiron greats J.J. Watt and Robert Griffin III.
What J.J. Watt and RGIII Said About Jim Harbaugh
The Wolverines continue to find themselves at the center of rather benign controversy while under Harbaugh. According to the Yahoo report, the Big Ten Conference received notification from the NCAA that the organization is conducting an investigation into the Wolverines for scouting future opponents in person. The allegation went further, saying the Wolverines were trying to steal signs.
ESPN shared the report on its Instagram on Thursday, prompting some of football’s most recognizable names to share their takes on sign stealing.
Watt, who was a rival of Michigan’s in college as he played for the Wisconsin Badgers, seemingly shrugged off the accusation. He called sign stealing “scouting,” referring to the gamesmanship that often comes in any sport where teams are looking for an advantage.
Griffin, a Heisman Trophy winner at Baylor and the former No. 2 overall pick of the Washington Commanders in the 2012 NFL Draft, said “every team should be investigated” if Michigan is at fault for the infraction.
Both players were able to achieve some of the highest levels of football, not only personally but also on a team level. Their perspective on the matter comes from first-hand experience in a locker room and being integral parts of their team.
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Sign stealing is not considered a violation of NCAA rules unless the team uses electronic equipment during the game to transmit the information to players on the field or among coaches. The 2023 NCAA football rulebook addresses sign stealing generally under a section titled “Prohibited Field Equipment.”
It states that “any attempt to record, through audio or video means, any signals given by an opposing player, coach, or other team personnel is prohibited.” However, no corresponding penalty is listed for this offense.
Sign stealing has been a part of the game’s long and colorful history. However, scouting opponents in person has been prohibited since 1994 for cost-saving reasons. It is unclear whether Michigan was using staffers or other individuals who may be loyal to the program or whether the information was obtained through video or some other means.
Michigan, ranked No. 2 overall and sitting at 7-0, may be feeling the heat as rival programs look to play mind games with the franchise. They’d be far from the first team ever to figure out a team’s signs, but there might be a violation if the team purposely sent individuals in person to scout future opponents.
It is also unclear whether Harbaugh was involved in any way. The NCAA’s stance on the issue is unknown at this time.