Report: Michigan had budget, travel schedule for scouting opponents

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh watches warmups before a game against Northern Illinois at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021.

The NCAA may have some more evidence in the sign-stealing investigation that could really hurt Michigan’s planned defense.

The Washington Post’s Will Hobson published a story on Wednesday that talked about the scandal. His report says that an outside firm was hired this season to look into potential Michigan sign-stealing. The results of the outside firm’s work was then presented to the NCAA on October 17. That presentation apparently sparked an official investigation from the NCAA and Big Ten, which was announced just days later.

According to the report, the firm did not find evidence linking head coach Jim Harbaugh to knowledge of the sign-stealing operation. However, they say the scouting video that was obtained through illegal means was then shared through a computer drive maintained and accessed by “multiple Michigan coaches.” The report does not reveal how an outside firm may have gained access to this drive.

People have been asking whether or not there is a paper trail that could incriminate Michigan.

According to the report, there was a “detailed scheduled of Michigan’s planned sign-stealing travel for the rest of the season,” and “how much money was budgeted for travel and tickets to scout each team.” If linked up to financial statements, that could prove to be strong evidence.

Harbaugh issued a statement that said he had no knowledge of illegal sign-stealing going on in his program, nor that the directed anyone to steal signs illegally. Michigan on Friday suspended analyst Connor Stalions, who is accused of being the leader of the sign-stealing operation.

Michigan seems to be pointing the finger at Stalions, trying to make him into a fall guy who acted independently. This report says there is a possibility that other coaches may have accessed the video obtained by Stalions’ alleged operations.

If the NCAA has hard evidence that Michigan had a travel schedule and listed budget for scouts to attend opponents’ games, that would certainly hurt the school’s case. Michigan is not currently allowed to comment on the investigation as information continues to leak out.