University of Michigan Athletics has suspended an analyst amid the NCAA investigation into sign-stealing allegations.
On Friday afternoon, athletic director Warde Manuel said the athletics department had suspended Connor Stalions with pay pending the outcome of the investigation.
Overnight, ESPN reported that Stalions, a football analyst for the Wolverines, was a person of interest in the investigation. It was reported Thursday that the NCAA is investigating Michigan for allegedly stealing opponents’ signs.
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh denied any knowledge or involvement in the conspiracy to steal opponents’ playbooks by sending representatives to their games and said he would fully cooperate with an NCAA investigation into allegations against his program.
“I have no knowledge or information that the University of Michigan football program is illegally stealing signals, nor have I directed any staff or others to participate in any off-campus scouting activity,” Harbaugh said in a statement Thursday. “I am not aware that anyone on our staff did this or ordered this action.”
According to the ESPN report, sources said investigators also sought access to Stallions’ computer.
The second-ranked Wolverines (7-0), who began their season with Harbaugh receiving a university-imposed three-game suspension for an unsolved NCAA violation, play at Michigan State on Saturday.
“I want to personally assure you that UM Athletics will offer its full cooperation to the NCAA in this matter,” Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said Thursday. “At the University of Michigan, we are all committed to the highest standards of ethics and integrity for all members of our community. That is the same expectation I have for all coaches, staff and student-athletes.”
The NCAA has no rules specifically prohibiting sign stealing, but it prohibits personal, advanced scouting of opponents and the use of electronic devices to record an opponent’s signals. There are also statutes that prohibit unsportsmanlike or unethical activities.