I actually don’t blame the brass at UM for pushing back on the BIG - if Michigan Insiders are accurate in saying the Big and the other ADs want Harbaugh’s head. They are at best, premature and at worst, over thinking it. Either way, they are barking up the wrong tree.
There has not been a single suggestion or “ leak” that suggests Harbaugh was involved, let alone any real evidence.
The degree to which the coaches were involved- if at all- truly deserves a full investigation- however long that takes. You simply can’t personally punish coaches if you don’t have absolute facts to justify it.
I am confident that this “ overwhelming evidence” ( again, quoting Michigan insiders, not media) that this was a wide ranging, sophisticated sign stealing/ advance scouting operation still does not implicate the Head coach- because if it did, there is no way the UM brass could stand behind him.
Now one might say- if he didn’t know, he should have. A credible question- but again, that is pure speculation.
Did CS buy these tickets to 35 games at 17 different stadiums over the last 2.5 seasons, and either hire or attend in person to film the future opponent’s signs? That is the more urgent question due to its impact on the current season.
I have yet to hear anyone deny that. I think there is clear and obvious evidence of that-that is indisputable. It is my belief that the evidence of this was collected by the NCAA, and now shared with the Big. Even Michigan fans are elated that CS won’t “ sing like a canary”. Because they know he could potentially implicate coaches in the scheme. There is no more investigating needed to answer this part of it. You have coaches and ADs all over the place that are saying publicly they have seen the receipts and the video. You have people admitting they were paid to record signals of Michigan opponents.
So that leaves the question of what if anything can be done about it.
Michigan fans can argue all they want that this did not provide an advantage during games. But that has and will continue to fall on deaf ears The coaches at the other schools- and just common sense- tells you the answer.
So if this advance scouting and signal stealing provided a competitive advantage on even one signal play- the game results are tainted.
It is my opinion that all of UMs wins in 21, 22 and up to MSU this year, will eventually be vacated. There really isn’t much choice.
I know most Um fans don’t give a rip about that. They just want finish out this season. I am highly confident they will get there wish.
The other thing that might come up in the bigger investigation by the feckless NCAA, is potential Loss of Institutional Control.
Michigan has recently parted ways with 4 football staff members for:
-computer crimes
-racist comments
-pedophile activity ( alleged)
- advance scouting/ signal stealing.
I think we are in for a long ride. Then we can wait for the Netflix Documentary to be released and can argue about all of this- all over again
