Sam Webb: Schembechler Hall shocked & extra motivated by ESPN allegations
Sam Webb called around to his Michigan sources to get their take on the ESPN report regarding Connor Stalions. "We found out when you did," said one. Rest of the story here (please do subscribe to 247 to get beyond the paywall). But I think it's significant info in that it lends further credence to the idea that this was a rogue staffer, not something that the Michigan coaching staff sanctioned or organized.
October 24th, 2023 at 11:39 AM ^
This is the answer.
There are a lot of past champions that would be in line in front of us.
October 24th, 2023 at 9:56 AM ^
My gut tells me Sam wouldn't mind if OSU's sign-stealer's name gets out of the paywall.
October 24th, 2023 at 10:00 AM ^
Yeah, I don't know why other schools' fans seem to think this is unique to UM. I've said this elsewhere but my guess is every school has guys who work in the gray area of the rules and they all basically agree not to out each other due to a fear of mutual destruction. But if Ryan Day, for example, broke that truce then you better believe UM won't hold its tongue and then who the hell knows what happens.
October 24th, 2023 at 11:24 AM ^
Just think of the ramifications if the “brown bag” delivery staff at various schools were videotaped.
October 24th, 2023 at 10:01 AM ^
Brent Zdebski or Sam McGrath? Both?
October 24th, 2023 at 10:13 AM ^
We have a gut feeling.
October 24th, 2023 at 10:19 AM ^
At this point, I am ready for scorched earth. Take everyone else down with us if that's what the ncaa wants.
October 24th, 2023 at 10:31 AM ^
i heard his name rhymes with Furban Deyer
October 24th, 2023 at 11:35 AM ^
Can't be him. He still has his hand stuck up someones butt in Columbus who does not look like a grandkid.
October 24th, 2023 at 11:04 AM ^
I decoded this signal from Comrade Seth’s rumbling colon:
It sounds like Ohio State has suspected Stallions’ staff role to be that of sign stealer for some time, just like folks in Ann Arbor have suspected quality control coach Brent Zdebski having that same role in Columbus. Every team has someone, and most coaches don’t cry about it.
October 24th, 2023 at 11:42 AM ^
See if Brent Zdebski is on any ticket lists at Michigan Stadium . . . See if Brent Zdebski has any unusual Venmo's . . . take a peek around Brent Zdebski's business . . .
You know, just out of curiosity.
October 24th, 2023 at 11:54 AM ^
I know people who are already looking and guess what? He has a Venmo transaction from 9/21 with a Shamrock emoji. OSU played Notre Dame on 9/23.
October 24th, 2023 at 7:29 PM ^
Yes! I love petty. Let's do this.
October 24th, 2023 at 7:30 PM ^
This should probably get its own post, you think?
October 24th, 2023 at 12:29 PM ^
This is the correct answer
October 24th, 2023 at 10:13 AM ^
yeah, this absolutely makes the most sense.
Dude was supposed to legally steal signs from our sidelines and from TV coverage..... He, being a hard charging Marine, is trained to adapt, improvise and overcome obstacles..... So he figured, if I enlist a couple privates to capture some intell from the enemy, it will greatly improve my efficiency.
To his supervisors he was doing a tremendous job..... Obviously when he made his presentation he wasn't going to lead with, "so, instead of just watching game video, I actually had some buddies go to games and film the playcallers on the sidelines!!!!"
No reason for his supervisor to ask where and how he got his intel, they would assume he was doing what he was supposed to be doing. Managers don't have to be micro managers.
As I said yesterday, I have no way to know if that is what happened, but i'm pretty sure no one here has any way to know that it isn't what happened and how it happened!.
Buy cheeseburgers, Steal Signs! (i want credit for that Tshirt)
Onward, Go Blue!
October 24th, 2023 at 11:38 AM ^
Just wear a UM scout sweatshirt to all away games and we'll overwhelm them with the vast network. I heard part of this group Saturday as they gave themselves away chanting Let's go Blue before the half. Bad way to cover their tracks...dangit!
October 24th, 2023 at 12:28 PM ^
My guess, the “intel” was worthless or only corroborated what the TV data already told. That is why no one caught on.
Violation of a minor rule.
No documented or measurable harm.
penalty is probation?
October 24th, 2023 at 10:17 AM ^
Taking a break from all of this after yesterday. It is out of everybody's control right now. There is no outcome that involves Michigan not playing its remaining games and I'm just going to enjoy that. The NCAA can do what it must.
October 24th, 2023 at 10:47 AM ^
I'm shocked, shocked to hear there is gambling going on in this establishment....your winnings sir..."
I don't buy for a second that this kid did this all on his own without anyone else knowing about it. That is not even remotely plausible.
October 24th, 2023 at 11:36 AM ^
Even if what you say is true — which I doubt — does Conner seem like the type of guy who is every going to say anything other than nobody else knew and it was all on him? Regardless of anything else, two things to always remember: (1) the alleged conduct is not a violation; and (2) the entire issue stops with Conner.
October 24th, 2023 at 10:50 AM ^
I think it's possible Stallions had a 2 part operation- 1) was what he could collect thru legitimate means and 2) was his side hustle where he was paying people to give him extra info. This guy was clearly pretty motivated to get a job with the team and his linkedin shows he was really trying to make a name for himself by looking like some signal deciphering savant.
I would not be shocked if the staff thought he was genuinely a bright guy being able to decipher things from TV broadcasts and other footage, but in reality he was heavily supplementing that with shady video collection. His sloppy way of doing this (venmo payments, other college kids doing the videoing, etc.) makes that seem plausible
October 24th, 2023 at 11:32 AM ^
They thought he was Mike Ross. Turns out, he is Mike Ross.
October 24th, 2023 at 11:02 AM ^
The fact that is was "leaked" to the media before UM was notified speaks volumes about the target on Harbaugh's back, and the total lack of professionalism from the NCAA.
October 24th, 2023 at 11:03 AM ^
Clayton Safie (sp?) said he learned that the rules committee in annual review rules felt this rule was relatively insignificant at this time and minimized the penalties which may be why the Baylor coach only got half a game. That finding of theirs on how insignificant this is and the already handed down penalty are a roadmap for Tom Mars to follow in my opinion on Jim's behalf. And that is worst case.
Best case seems the loophole defense of rogue staffer skirting the rules but actually breaking noe and if Mars is UM counsel on behalf of an employee this may lead back to unintended blowback on 3rd base.
If UM is complicit in emails or paid receipts then all bets are off and penalty is warranted.
October 24th, 2023 at 2:22 PM ^
As others have said, the Baylor example was for a single game. The stories about Stalions said this happened dozens of times. There is something to be said for repeating the offense.
October 24th, 2023 at 11:12 AM ^
This is one of those times where it’s important to remember Webb isn’t an independent reporter. His career is based on connections inside the program he can’t burn
October 24th, 2023 at 11:28 AM ^
Fair enough, but Webb values his credibility as a journalist, and is very careful not to overstate or understate things. I’m certain that he can read his sources’ tone and tell when people are sincerely shocked and when they’re not. These are people he talks to every week.
October 24th, 2023 at 11:24 AM ^
I will wait for our true AD insider GoJ to chime in for the inside scoop.
/s
October 24th, 2023 at 11:32 AM ^
"Extra motivated." That's what I like to hear.
October 24th, 2023 at 12:03 PM ^
Stealing signs from the third-base coach is generally accepted as part of the game.
October 24th, 2023 at 1:03 PM ^
Most likely Harbaugh is guilty.
Don't be Sparty about this.
October 24th, 2023 at 7:05 PM ^
One theory I haven't seen kicked around is maybe Stallions just used ChatGPT. AI is the future...
October 24th, 2023 at 7:39 PM ^
Beat everyone by 49+, dominate. From beginning to end, for the rest of the season...dominate.
October 24th, 2023 at 11:49 PM ^
Looks to me like an over-eager obsessive individual with a military intelligence background felt that one should do whatever it takes to accomplish "the mission" (intelligence gathering) and sold himself on his ability to analyze and predict the actions of adversaries, without revealing the entirety of his methods, possibly without even knowing what he was doing was breaking the rules (hence buying tickets himself) or caring about getting caught.
As someone remarked, don't feel too bad for him - while he might not be able to work in college sports, he's got a glowing future in corporate espionage (or political campaigns) ahead of him.