Koop

October 26th, 2023 at 10:17 AM ^

The "It Was Weiss" theory has logic, but the timing is wrong. The WaPo article also says that the third party IT company only provided the information to the NCAA this month.

IMHO it's telling that the most the WaPo can say in this (relatively breathless) article is that other assistant coaches had access to the same drive on which Stalions stored the information. Not only does the article expressly deny any connection to Jim Harbaugh, but it also:

  • Doesn't identify any assistant actually accessing the information other than Stalions;
  • Doesn't demonstrate that Stalions received any reimbursement from the university for his "vast network" payments (only that he was a paid assistant for one year); and
  • Doesn't suggest that the "vast network" stuff was occurring for more than one season.

That last point is puzzling, because it not only appears to contradict what else has been reported, but also suggests that there was no actual advantage gained given prior reporting that OSU in particular changed signals last season. Either way, however, there doesn't appear to be anything in the WaPo article that refutes the Stalions Was a Lone Gunman theory.

::personal opinion incoming:: It wasn't an enjoyable read, but I think the accompanying WaPo opinion column hit the mark.

In summary: this scandal is about nothing, but it gives opposing fanbases the schadenfreude of turning Michigan's longtime holier-than-thou arrogance back on itself. I must say that I feel that. My Michigan fandom rests not only on athletic success, but that it comes at an institution of academic excellence that insists on ethical behavior and integrity. Michigan wants to win, but not at any cost. That is my explanation for why Michigan bends over backwards to cooperate with absurd investigations like this: it's not the alleged cheating, but what one does to correct it, that demonstrates integrity.

Even if this investigation comes to nothing, that Michigan pride--some might say self-delusion--has taken a hit. I expect that I will be hearing whatabouts from fans of MSU, OSU, PSU--hell, every other school--for a long time to come. And I expect that people will put an asterisk, however undeserved, on the 2023 Michigan football team's success. That's frustrating. In an era when big-time college football is increasingly just another professional sport, it makes the connection between the academics of the school and the sports teams more tenuous.

Joined: 08/16/2022

MGoPoints: 2661

Harmon4Heisman

October 25th, 2023 at 6:49 PM ^

A guy on the Maize and Blue review was saying this today. That he's got inside info that there was a rat to the rat, someone giving info to Stapleton. 

"Let's say this. The current staff I was told have no clue on this. It was told to me that none of these coaches would soil their name for information that may never use anyway. Stapleton is a rat but he is not in the building. So who is the rat to Stapleton. Is their someone in the family that would want to see Jim fail. Think about who's legacy benefits from Jim leaving..."

Joined: 10/23/2023

MGoPoints: 143

Bryan

October 25th, 2023 at 6:53 PM ^

From the first two paragraphs. So, someone/ institution/ Just For Men model hired a firm to investigate Michigan. 

‘The sign-stealing investigation threatening to disrupt Michigan’s football season began after an outside investigative firm approached the NCAA with documents and videos the firm said it had obtained from computer drives maintained and accessed by multiple Michigan coaches, according to two people familiar with the matter, evidence that suggests the scandal’s impact could broaden beyond the suspension of one low-level assistant.
 

These people spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about an ongoing NCAA investigation. They did not disclose who hired the outside firm that approached the NCAA. The NCAA, the Big Ten and Michigan declined to comment.’

Joined: 07/10/2009

MGoPoints: 14777

MgoBlueprint

October 25th, 2023 at 6:47 PM ^

The university did have a pretty big leak this summer. That would be absolutely honkers if it was related to this.

 

To the University community,

We are writing today to provide you with an update about the IT incident that affected our three campuses just as the academic year was getting under way in late August.

Since we learned of the incident, we have been working diligently alongside leading third‑party experts to learn more about what occurred. We conducted a thorough investigation, which continues, and we appreciate your patience as investigations of this nature, executed well, take time.

What Happened and How We Addressed It

On August 23, the University of Michigan detected suspicious activity on our campus computer network. We want to assure you that as soon as we discovered this incident, we immediately treated it with the utmost seriousness. Importantly, we took quick and decisive action to contain the incident, including proactively disconnecting the campus network from the internet. We quickly launched an investigation with the support of leading third‑party experts. We also notified law enforcement and continue to coordinate with them.

Based on our investigation, we have determined that an unauthorized party was able to access certain university systems from August 23, 2023, to August 27, 2023. The university used a dedicated review team to conduct a detailed analysis of the files included on the systems accessed by the unauthorized actor.

Who is Affected and How We Are Supporting Our Community

The investigation was comprehensive and determined that the unauthorized third party was able to access certain information, including information relating to certain members of our community.

We are currently in the process of notifying relevant individuals. We understand this news is difficult and we are committed to supporting every member of our community.

Joined: 12/15/2008

MGoPoints: 11576

umfan83

October 25th, 2023 at 6:13 PM ^

Among the pieces of evidence the firm presented, these people said, was a detailed schedule of Michigan’s planned sign-stealing travel for the rest of this season, listing opponents’ schedules, which games Michigan scouts would attend, and how much money was budgeted for travel and tickets to scout each team.

In total, these people said, Michigan’s sign-stealing operation expected to spend more than $15,000 this season sending scouts to more than 40 games played by 10 opponents. According to the university’s public salary disclosure records, Stalions, listed as an administrative specialist in the athletics department, made $55,000 in 2022.

Lots more at the poorly posted link

Joined: 03/10/2012

MGoPoints: 8466

Alton

October 25th, 2023 at 6:36 PM ^

The football rule book doesn't apply to you if your team isn't playing.

Read rule 1-1-6-b, "Persons subject to the rules.":  "Those persons subject to the rules are: Everyone in the team area, players, substitutes, replaced players, coaches, athletics trainers, cheerleaders, band members, mascots, public-address announcers, audio/video/lighting system operators, and other persons affiliated with the teams or institutions "

This clearly excludes spectators and it also excludes individuals not associated with either team on the field.

Joined: 07/05/2008

MGoPoints: 13321

Alton

October 25th, 2023 at 6:45 PM ^

Pretty sure he's referring to rule 1-4-11-h:  "Any attempt to record, either through audio or video means, any signals given by an opposing player, coach or other team personnel is prohibited."

There are two problems with the theory that this is applicable in this case:

(1) The individuals allegedly recording signals are not "persons subject to the rules" as I pointed out in an earlier post, and

(2) This rule specifically states that you can not record signals given by an opposing coach.

If I go to Nebraska v Purdue and sit in the stands, neither team is the "opposing" team and  anyway I am not subject to the football rules. 

Joined: 07/05/2008

MGoPoints: 13321