Jim Harbaugh says he has no knowledge of Michigan football 'illegally stealing signs'

Michigan football, the nation’s No. 2-ranked team, is being investigated by the NCAA for allegedly violating rules regarding in-person scouting and sign stealing.

The news comes just days before Michigan plays at in-state rival Michigan State on Saturday at Spartan Stadium. The Big Ten confirmed the NCAA investigation in a statement issued Thursday and added it has notified Michigan State of the investigation.

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, in a statement released later Thursday, said he and his staff will fully cooperate with the investigation."I do not have any knowledge or information regarding the University of Michigan football program illegally stealing signals, nor have I directed any staff member or others to participate in an off-campus scouting assignment," Harbaugh said. "I have no awareness of anyone on our staff having done that or having directed that action.

"I do not condone or tolerate anyone doing anything illegal or against NCAA rules. No matter what program or organization that I have led throughout my career, my instructions and awareness of how we scout opponents have always been firmly within the rules. Pursuant to NCAA rules, I will not be able to comment further while this investigation takes place."

How this will affect Harbaugh, who has a Level I violation — the NCAA’s most severe penalty — levied against him, is unclear. Harbaugh, who sat out the first three games of the season as part of a self-imposed suspension relating to the investigation, is alleged to have misled and lied to NCAA investigators who were looking into the Level II violations, including impermissible recruiting visits during a COVID-related recruiting dead period.

High-profile lawyer Tom Mars, who has been representing Harbaugh in the ongoing NCAA investigation since the NCAA delivered a draft of a Notice of Allegations in early January, also said Harbaugh has "no knowledge" about the sign-stealing accusation.

"Coach Harbaugh was just as surprised by the news reports about an NCAA 'sign stealing' investigation as anyone else," Mars said in a text to The Detroit News on Thursday. "He has no knowledge about prohibited 'sign stealing' by anyone at Michigan or anything else that's been reported in today's news."

According to a statement from the Big Ten, the NCAA notified the conference and Michigan late Wednesday afternoon that it is investigating allegations of sign stealing by the UM program.

“The Big Ten Conference has notified Michigan State University and future (Michigan) opponents," the statement reads. "The Big Ten conference considers the integrity of competition to be of utmost importance and will continue to monitor the investigation. The conference will have no further comment at this time.”

Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said that he and his staff pledge "complete cooperation to the NCAA in this matter" in a statement released Thursday.

"At the University of Michigan, all of us are committed to the highest standards of ethics and integrity for all members of our community," Manuel said in the statement. "This is the same expectation I have of all coaches, staff, and student-athletes. Given (the) ongoing investigation, I'll have no further comments at this time."

Michigan State interim President Teresa K. Woodruff said in a statement released by MSU on Thursday afternoon that the allegations are "concerning," but the game will be played.

“As we look forward to the football game this Saturday, we are chagrined by the news of the NCAA investigation and we echo the Big Ten Conference’s commitment to integrity," Woodruff said. "The allegations are concerning, but will be handled through the NCAA’s processes. MSU has no further comment on that matter. The university is focused on supporting our own team and preparing campus for a safe game-day environment.”

Michigan released a statement to reporters earlier Thursday.

"The university has been notified by the NCAA, along with the Big Ten, that the NCAA is investigating allegations of play signal stealing by Michigan football," the statement reads. "The university is fully cooperating with the Big Ten and NCAA.

"The investigation is ongoing and will not impact Saturday's game. At the University of Michigan, we are committed to the highest ethical and integrity standards for all members of our community."

The NCAA does not consider Scouting opponents illegal, with a significant exception. According to the NCAA Bylaws 11.6.1, “Off-campus, in-person scouting of future opponents (in the same season) is prohibited.” The NCAA does allow staff members to scout future opponents “in the same event at the same site,” per bylaw 11.6.1.1.

Teams scout to prepare for upcoming opponents, but the question is whether Michigan had a staff member or members attend games of future opponents. Scouting enhances the prospects of sign stealing, which also is not illegal, unless scouting video was obtained improperly, such as using video or electronic equipment to share information among the coaches.

The 2023 Football Rule Book, under the category “Prohibited Field Equipment” and its “exceptions” designation, the 10^th item indicates that “any attempt to record, either through audio or video means, any signals given by an opposing player, coach or other team personnel is prohibited.”

According to the Yahoo! report, two of Michigan’s opponents said they became aware Michigan knew their play signs. It is unclear which programs are involved. At halftime of Michigan’s 31-7 win over Rutgers on Sept. 23 at Michigan Stadium, Rutgers coach Greg Schiano made a cryptic comment during an on-field interview, which left many fans wondering what he was referencing.

“There are some things going on that aren’t right,” Schiano said during the interview.

After the game, he was asked by reporters to clarify his comments.

“Just the nuances of the game,” said Schiano, who said he was referencing officiating. “I was frustrated with a few things. But look, they are a very good football team. You have to make sure that you are on point with everything, because if you’re not, it’s not just a gain, it’s a touchdown. It’s not just a (pass break-up), it’s a pick-6.”

In “The Ethics of Sign Stealing in College Football,” a 2022 research piece in the Marquette Sports Law Review, a question is posed that, pushing aside legality and rules, “is sign-stealing ethical?”

Harbaugh has always spoken of the importance of integrity.

As this latest investigation continues, it surely will slow any process made on a contract extension for the 59-year-old coach who has led Michigan to back-to-back Big Ten championships. Harbaugh is in his ninth season coaching his alma mater.

The initial NCAA situation has not yet been resolved, but Harbaugh spoke last Monday about whether he would be open to a contract extension.

“Like anybody, I’ve said it, you want to be somewhere where you’re wanted,” Harbaugh said Monday when asked if he’d be open to a revised contract. “If they like what you do and how you do it, your bosses tell you that, and then that gets reflected in a contract. Bottom line, any of us, right, we want to be somewhere they like how you do it and what you do.”

In response to The News last Monday, Manuel said: “Hope to make that a reality in the very near future.”

This latest NCAA investigation undoubtedly will put those talks on hold. As far as how the NCAA proceeds, NCAA bylaw 11.1.1.1 “Responsibility of Head Coach” could factor into this investigation. It puts the onus on the head coach for all violations.

“An institution’s head coach shall be held responsible for the head coach’s actions and the actions of all institutional staff members who report, directly or indirectly, to the head coach,” the bylaw reads.

achengelis@detroitnews.com

X: @chengelis