NCAA Investigating Michigan for Alleged Sign-Stealing Scheme in College Football

Investigation was initiated by an external firm based on videos and documents revealing extensive, unsanctioned scouting of competitors; Evidence incriminates multiple members of coaching staff, including assistant staffer Connor Stalions leading the scheme, but does not directly link head coach Jim Harbaugh to the misconduct.

The NCAA is investigating allegations that Michigan's football program participated in a sign-stealing scheme, which included unauthorized scouting of competitors by secretly recording opponents’ games.
The investigation was triggered by an external firm, which provided the NCAA with evidence of the scheme including videos, documents, and details of budgets for unsanctioned scouting. The evidence implicated multiple members of the coaching staff, including assistant staffer Connor Stalions.
The allegations suggest that the scheme has been in operation since at least last season, when Michigan won the Big Ten title and made it to the College Football Playoff semifinals. Stalions, who has been suspended by Michigan, seems to have played a significant role in coordinating the sign-stealing efforts. However, there is no direct evidence linking Michigan's head coach, Jim Harbaugh, to the scheme.
Numerous college football figures have voiced their opinions on the allegations. Some, like Utah coach Kyle Whittingham, differentiate between in-game sign-stealing and outside-the-game activities, whilst others, like Georgia coach Kirby Smart and Colorado coach Deion Sanders, downplayed the effectiveness of sign-stealing in football.
The NCAA investigation into Michigan's alleged sign-stealing scheme comes just months after a separate NCAA investigation found that Harbaugh had violated recruiting rules and failed to cooperate with investigators, resulting in a three-game suspension. The outcome and potential consequences of this new investigation are yet to be determined.