Recent NCAA documentation revealed that Michigan’s leadership is starting to understand the true gravity of the situation they’re faced with regarding the sign-stealing scandal. Michigan has been under scrutiny since October over allegations a low-level staffer, Connor Stalions, pre-scouted teams to steal signs.
Stalions has since been fired, but more evidence is coming that other major staffers have played a concerning role in the scandal. Last Friday, the Big Ten banned head coach Jim Harbaugh from coaching on the sideline for Michigan’s remaining three regular season games.
Michigan vowed to defend Harbaugh and to fight to keep him on the sideline this season. But the school caved to the Big Ten in a meeting this week. Harbaugh agreed to the Big Ten’s ban; the Big Ten closed the investigation on Michigan.
Michigan doesn’t need to worry about the Big Ten. But they should be worried about the NCAA.
NCAA has new evidence on Michigan’s sign-stealing scandal
Per an ESPN report by Dan Murphy, Adam Rittenberg, and Pete Thamel, Michigan agreed to Harbaugh’s ban as more evidence was brought to their attention. The school received an allegation that linebacker’s coach Chris Partridge tried to tamper with an investigation into the sign-stealing scandal–that included a Michigan booster’s funding:
“Multiple sources told ESPN the NCAA informed Michigan this week that it had obtained evidence suggesting that a university booster helped fund the impermissible sign-stealing operation run by former staff member Connor Stalions. Michigan also received evidence that suggested Partridge was tampering with the ongoing investigation.
After striking a consistently defiant stance and pursuing litigation last Friday, Michigan withdrew its legal complaint the night before a scheduled hearing on Thursday and accepted the Big Ten’s full three-game suspension of Harbaugh.
Sources told ESPN that university leadership this week has shifted its tone from the stern rebuke of the league’s sanctions to a growing acceptance that the football program might be dealing with significant NCAA infractions that could include a failure to properly monitor the program on Harbaugh’s part.”
Jim Harbaugh accepted punishment for a reason
The report stated no evidence had been produced Harbaugh was directly involved with the scandal. But he faces collateral damage in the fallout.
Michigan is sobering up to how deep this scandal runs. Harbaugh might not have signed off on the pre-scouting, but Partridge’s role in tampering with the investigation is troubling for the head coach. Harbaugh appears either aloof in managing the program or the program is very good at protecting him.
Michigan’s administration knows what’s coming, and that’s why they allowed Harbaugh to take his punishment.
Will Harbaugh join Partridge in the coaching carousel this season?
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