At the top of Bylaw 11, it states it applies to "Athletics Personnel and Student Assistant Coaches" - It also specifically states in 11.01.6 that this extends to "volunteer coaches" in sports OTHER than football and basketball.
Unless he was using University funds, I still don't think there is anything presented here that violates the letter of the law. The rules prohibit staffers from scouting opponents at opposing games. This confirms non-staffers were the ones physically at the games and recording sidelines.
It might not be compliant with the spirit of the law, but I do not think there is a clear violation based on what is written in the bylaws
As far as what I’ve read it may violate the NCAA’s “unsportsmanlike” clause (which, lol) but there does not seem to be anything in the rule book stating what a NON-staffer is allowed to do. So if NON- staffers are the ones stealing signs, in my view of the rules, the NCAA would not have a case. If they decide to loosely interpret the rulebook to hit Harbaugh, that would be another story.
Dan Wetzel alludes to this point about the rulebook in his appearance on Rich Eisen as well
Maybe I’m missing something but even if the most severe allegations are true, what grounds does the NCAA have for punishment? I believe the following points are true:
1. Sign stealing is legal
2. NCAA bylaws suggest an institution may not send a staff member (key word is staff member) to scout teams in person at opponent games
3. This means that even if the most serious allegations ARE TRUE (I.e. we had a “vast network of folks at games doing in person scouting”) - as long as they were NOT ON STAFF for Michigan then it is not illegal
4. The actual staff member who is suspended is frequently pictured on Michigan sidelines during games - it does not seem like he was the individual actually physically going to opponent games. It seems very unlikely any people going to opponent games were officially on staff.
Therefore, unless the NCAA can prove this “vast network” was on Michigan payroll, I do not see any way they can pass along legitimate punishment. I’d imagine they will instead write more specific rules to eliminate this gray area in the future.
Otherwise I think this is just a Harbaugh special - operating within the rules in a gray area - kind of like satellite camps - in order to give us an advantage.
I do not think it is very likely that Michigan will receive any punishment from the NCAA. Maybe this point has been made already, but I personally haven’t seen it articulated specifically so wanted to lay it out here:
1. Sign stealing is legal
2. However NCAA bylaws suggest an institution may not send a staff member (key word is staff member) to scout teams in person at opponent games
3. This means that even if the most serious allegations ARE TRUE (I.e. we had a “vast network of folks at games doing in person scouting”) - as long as they were NOT ON STAFF for Michigan then it is not illegal
4. The actual staff member who is suspended is frequently pictured on Michigan sidelines during games - it does not seem like he was the individual actually physically going to opponent games.
Therefore, unless the NCAA can prove this “vast network” was on Michigan payroll, I do not see any way they can pass along legitimate punishment. I’d imagine they will instead write more specific rules to eliminate this gray area in the future.
I think this is just a Harbaugh special - operating within the rules in a gray area - kind of like satellite camps - in order to give us an advantage.
Recent Comments
At the top of Bylaw 11, it states it applies to "Athletics Personnel and Student Assistant Coaches" - It also specifically states in 11.01.6 that this extends to "volunteer coaches" in sports OTHER than football and basketball.
Bylaws linked here: https://web3.ncaa.org/lsdbi/search/proposalView?id=105051
Unless he was using University funds, I still don't think there is anything presented here that violates the letter of the law. The rules prohibit staffers from scouting opponents at opposing games. This confirms non-staffers were the ones physically at the games and recording sidelines.
It might not be compliant with the spirit of the law, but I do not think there is a clear violation based on what is written in the bylaws
I mean sure, but wouldn’t it be on-brand for Harbaugh to exploit gaps in the rulebook? Not our issue if the rule doesn’t make sense
Maybe I’m missing something but even if the most severe allegations are true, what grounds does the NCAA have for punishment? I believe the following points are true:
1. Sign stealing is legal
2. NCAA bylaws suggest an institution may not send a staff member (key word is staff member) to scout teams in person at opponent games
3. This means that even if the most serious allegations ARE TRUE (I.e. we had a “vast network of folks at games doing in person scouting”) - as long as they were NOT ON STAFF for Michigan then it is not illegal
4. The actual staff member who is suspended is frequently pictured on Michigan sidelines during games - it does not seem like he was the individual actually physically going to opponent games. It seems very unlikely any people going to opponent games were officially on staff.
Therefore, unless the NCAA can prove this “vast network” was on Michigan payroll, I do not see any way they can pass along legitimate punishment. I’d imagine they will instead write more specific rules to eliminate this gray area in the future.
Otherwise I think this is just a Harbaugh special - operating within the rules in a gray area - kind of like satellite camps - in order to give us an advantage.
I do not think it is very likely that Michigan will receive any punishment from the NCAA. Maybe this point has been made already, but I personally haven’t seen it articulated specifically so wanted to lay it out here:
1. Sign stealing is legal
2. However NCAA bylaws suggest an institution may not send a staff member (key word is staff member) to scout teams in person at opponent games
3. This means that even if the most serious allegations ARE TRUE (I.e. we had a “vast network of folks at games doing in person scouting”) - as long as they were NOT ON STAFF for Michigan then it is not illegal
4. The actual staff member who is suspended is frequently pictured on Michigan sidelines during games - it does not seem like he was the individual actually physically going to opponent games.
Therefore, unless the NCAA can prove this “vast network” was on Michigan payroll, I do not see any way they can pass along legitimate punishment. I’d imagine they will instead write more specific rules to eliminate this gray area in the future.
I think this is just a Harbaugh special - operating within the rules in a gray area - kind of like satellite camps - in order to give us an advantage.