Combing of coaches' phones has begun; NCAA interviewing M staff today

Submitted by Communist Football on October 26th, 2023 at 4:17 PM

From Sam Webb's latest update ($): "I was told the combing of at least some coaches' phones has started, so the hunt is underway to see whether there was any involvement beyond Stalions himself."

In addition, Nicole Auerbach tweeted that "NCAA investigators interviewed members of the Michigan football staff today, a source confirms to @TheAthletic."

Also, Isaiah Hole says that there is an established network within the B1G whereby the designated sign-stealers on each team trade with their friendly counterparts on other teams (a remarkable development that I wasn't aware of).

I actually spoke to a Big Ten source, who gave me a quote — if other people are out there sharing anonymous quotes and these ESPN and SI articles, I can too. So, here is what I learned, ‘Every Sunday, coaches and support staff with mutual connections throughout the conference contact each other to trade not just schematic notes, but also to trade signals. Some of the top teams who consistently trade signals and have very accurate information on common opponents are Michigan, Rutgers, Ohio State, Indiana, and Purdue. Other teams who are decent at it and would always look to trade are Illinois, Northwestern, Maryland, Minnesota, and Penn State. Wisconsin was oblivious to it but is likely no longer with the new staff. Michigan State, Iowa, and Nebraska appear to be oblivious and out of the loop.’

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JewofM

October 26th, 2023 at 4:56 PM ^

If there is literally a network in Big Ten of sign stealers, I would tell the NCAA and Big Ten to go pound sand. If they insisted on pursuing any further, I would go to Michigan Governor and AG and lawyer up. 

Joined: 08/25/2009

MGoPoints: 474

JewofM

October 26th, 2023 at 7:52 PM ^

I think even if the Governor is a Spartan, it isn't a good look to have your flagship university under attack for a bunch of ridiculous crap that every school is basically doing. If the governor or AG wont step in, than get some of those big U of M donors to let their money talk and give no more campaign money until U of M gets support. 

Joined: 08/25/2009

MGoPoints: 474

njvictor

October 26th, 2023 at 4:57 PM ^

I'd hope that if we willingly turned over coaches' phones that we would know that there's nothing there incriminating. But the AD is still Warde Manuel so I guess we can't make that assumption

Joined: 07/20/2017

MGoPoints: 65406

UMVAFAN

October 26th, 2023 at 5:10 PM ^

I read on an OSU board while reading delusional ramblings of Buckeye fans that the following clip was filmed by an OSU staffer:  https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NsgdZxjPtUk

The local Columbus station that first reported this clip said that the station recorded the clip. It’s clearly from a smart phone and a tripod wasn’t used given the unsteadiness of the clip, so I’m skeptical about the claim that the station filmed the clip. I think the NCAA needs to investigate this because if a staffer or anyone affiliated with OSU was filming Michigan’s staff with illegal electronic equipment during the actual game, it is a clear violation of the NCAA bylaws. 

Given that this happened nearly a year ago before this scandal broke, why would someone be filming Michigan’s defensive coordinator from OSU’s sideline during the game? Was OSU gathering Michigan’s defensive signals in game? It sure looks like it to me. Maybe OSU’s staff needs to hand over their phones to the NCAA, too.

 

Joined: 10/15/2013

MGoPoints: 5013

MacGyver

October 26th, 2023 at 6:22 PM ^

When I first saw that video somewhere else, it did not include the WBNS 10 logo. The local Columbus affiliate must have added it later. There are several people recording the game with their phones from the end zone and possibly picking up the Michigan sideline. Sorry the resolution is poor but my 4k recording disappeared and YouTube TV added some security that won't allow a screen capture. I wonder if any of these people are really OSU staffers and breaking a NCAA rule that is more black & white than shades of gray.

 

Joined: 12/25/2018

MGoPoints: 12140

bronxblue

October 26th, 2023 at 5:12 PM ^

Again, I always found it funny a bunch of anonymous people from teams were feeding talking points to reporters about how "outraged" they were about this practice because MFers I know you're doing it and all those middling assistants you hire and fire every year aren't loyal to you and they'll absolutely talk to each other.  So of course these guys share secrets and talk to each other.

Anyway, Michigan deserves to be taken to task for having the dumbest guy running the operation but as more stuff gets out I suspect a lot of people are going to start openly wondering why anyone cares about this and (depending on who leaked the stories and who's behind the investigation" start seeing this more as a PR attack on a team they can't beat on the field.

Joined: 11/22/2008

MGoPoints: 171931

doubleblue2

October 26th, 2023 at 5:17 PM ^

But how is this then any different than Connor. 
Follow me. 
Michigan gets signals from connor’s friend john who attended Minnesota v Nebraska.  Friend is not related to Michigan football in any other form. 
 

Michigan gets signals from Minnesota signal stealer who  attended Minnesota v Nebraska ( standing next to the DC). Minnesota signal stealer is not related to Michigan football in any other form. 
 

Is paying for ticket or travel the issue? Because otherwise they are the same. 
 

Joined: 10/25/2023

MGoPoints: 1711

Wiley Kyody4UM

October 26th, 2023 at 5:26 PM ^

There's nothing more on this planet i can't stand than OSU. Growing up in Ohio my cousin Daniel (RIP) showed me Michigan football as a little tike.. blue was my favorite color, and naturally once i heard GO BLUE i was instantly an UM fan. I have been dogged my entire life by friends for my enthusiasm to support Michigan football. I always knew they were the good guys. I remember watching the success of the Lloyd Carr days, and Braylon Edwards, Prescott Burgess, Mike Hart etc. then most of my prime.. HS years we weren't up to par (Denard got us a dub 2011). Friends always asked when you gonna switch to the bucknuts. I always knew OSU is/was the biggest tearbaby fanbase based off my friends. Now we finally get dominate success in my adult life, and its now UM IS CHEATING. I litterally Can't stand OSU even more as they just can't accept the fact that UM is finally better than they are through hard work, and determination. Himmy Harbaugh is the savior of UM Football, and done an incredible job. Im hoping for all this nonsense to be a nothingburger while Zach Smith waxes his eyebrows. All the information has been much appreciated! GO BLUE!

Joined: 08/06/2018

MGoPoints: 121

wildbackdunesman

October 26th, 2023 at 5:45 PM ^

I hate to say it, but I could see the NCAA ignoring this saying UofM got its signs improperly and the whole network of sign trading the NCAA doesn't know or care where and how they got it.

Joined: 07/16/2008

MGoPoints: 30383

Ezekiels Creatures

October 26th, 2023 at 6:02 PM ^

It's possible the "outside firm" that handed the NCAA all this stuff found connections to it on Matt Weiss' laptop.

But who knows.

I would like to know who this outside firm is. And how they got all this stuff on Michigan.

Seriously, who are they?

Joined: 03/14/2019

MGoPoints: 28664

umichfaninpa

October 26th, 2023 at 7:08 PM ^

If the coaches left to recruit yesterday after practice how are they combing phones today?  I guess not all the coaches would be out but I would think most of the “main” coaching staff would be.

Joined: 01/14/2016

MGoPoints: 541