While the NCAA continues to investigate Michigan’s role in an alleged sign-stealing operation run by former employee Connor Stallion, no Big Ten coaches or administrators have suggested that the Wolverines’ national title is tainted or that their victories lack legitimacy. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t angry, too.
The athlete We reached out to head coaches and assistant coaches from at least five different Big Ten football programs spanning the former East and West divisions to get their thoughts on the former Stallions and the team’s scouting scandal. In exchange for their candor, the coaches were granted anonymity. None of the coaches volunteered to speak publicly, and none were from archrival Ohio State.
“I think the sign-stealing they did was a big deal,” said one assistant coach whose team was affected by the case. “It affected the integrity of the game. I know some people say it wasn’t a big deal, but it was.”
“On game day, as a coordinator, I don’t want to hear from anyone who doesn’t have valuable information regarding the game. Connor was talking directly to the coordinators. That meant what he had to say was important. As far as Harbaugh was concerned, no head coach in the country would allow a member of the recruiting staff to talk to his coordinators on game day. Somehow, Connor was allowed to do it.”
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Stallion’s work was pivotal enough to Michigan’s cause that former coach Jim Harbaugh gave him the game ball after a 27-14 win over Iowa on Oct. 1, 2022. Stallion unveiled the decorated ball to cameras in the Netflix documentary “Sign Stealer,” which was released Tuesday.
“The funny thing (Harbaugh) said after I got the ball was, ‘Don’t touch the big head, Connor,’” Stallion recalled in the documentary. “Getting that ball is a great moment in my life where I was recognized for doing a good job at what I do and helping Michigan win. I’ll remember that forever.”
There have been long-running rumors about the Iowa City game ball, especially with questions about the Stallions. The documentary provides evidence that these rumors are true.
“I just heard about (the ball footage in the documentary) about an hour ago, something like that, and I got an email,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said at a news conference Tuesday. “It’s out of my mind — it’s history now. Whatever happens, happens. The parties involved will deal with it.”
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Mandel: Don’t be fooled, Conor Stallion is not a victim in his own sign-stealing scheme.
The 2022 game wasn’t the only time Iowa State was embroiled in an alleged spying scandal. About four hours before the 2021 Big Ten championship game, a Big Ten coach called an Iowa State employee and issued a warning.
“‘Michigan State got all your signals and calls, I wish I had gotten to you earlier,’” the coach told the Iowa State employee. The coach confirmed the context of that conversation to The athleteBy then, it was too late for Iowa to change its signal. Michigan had dominated every phase, crushing the Hawkeyes 42-3 in Indianapolis.
This week, Michigan State received notice from the NCAA regarding allegations that Stallion and the football program were allegedly stealing signals. Stallion is accused of collecting footage of opposing team signals taken by people attending games across the country, which is against NCAA rules. Programs are allowed to review television footage or full video, but they are not allowed to conduct in-person pre-reconnaissance. In photos and game broadcasts, Stallion can be seen standing next to Michigan coordinators interpreting opponents’ signals during games (deciphering signals during a game is not against NCAA rules).
Connor Stallion, right, was expelled from Michigan State for his role in a sign-stealing scheme (USA Today).
Neither Ferentz nor any other coach sees Stallion’s actions as diminishing Michigan’s winning streak. Last December, Michigan beat Iowa, 26-0, to win its third straight Big Ten title, after Stallion resigned and after the Wolverines continued to win despite a three-game suspension imposed by the Big Ten on Harbaugh. But throughout the conference, the mood was clear: Coaches were upset that no governing body had held Michigan accountable.
“Based on public information, it’s surprising that nothing has been added to the penalty they were given,” said a second Big Ten assistant coach. “I think something will be added, but the NCAA loses credibility when nothing is done or said and everyone is left in the dark. Right now, the penalty doesn’t fit the crime — there are more people involved.”
There are some nuances to Stallion’s actions, a head coach explained. Most programs take TV and video versions of games and pair them with hand signals from the bench. Everyone wants an edge, he said, but scouting a future opponent in person crosses the line. But schools also need to change their signals more regularly, he added, and teams can scout talent on the road in the NFL and high schools.
Football spy stories date back to the beginnings of the game. According to one legend, George Steinbrenner, a former Northwestern assistant coach (and eventual owner of the New York Yankees), left for Purdue in 1956 and hired students in a married dorm to watch the Wildcats practice. Northwestern coach Ara Parseghian (later of Notre Dame fame) found out, moved his senior team and left the junior varsity team to coach against Purdue spies. Northwestern won, 14-0.
Perhaps one day Stallion’s story will join the somewhat innocuous slate of conference history and tall tales. But for now, there’s a bitterness attached to the situation and a belief that Michigan will get preferential treatment.
“College football coaches don’t waste their time on things that don’t matter,” said the first assistant coach. “The amount of time they spend on this tells you everything you need to know.”
A different head coach has merely given a verbal nod.
“I guess it doesn’t matter now,” the coach said.
(Top image: USA Today)