Sources: Coaches prompt Big Ten to act upon Michigan

• Pete Thamel, ESPNNov 1, 2023, 11:56 PM ET

A vast majority of the Big 10 coaches expressed their disappointments with the ongoing signal-stealing examination at Michigan in a video call with commissioner Tony Petitti on Wednesday, sources told ESPN.The call,

which took 90 minutes, included almost an hour without Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, who hung up after the routinely set up Big 10 organization to permit the conference’s coaches to speak easily about the NCAA’s investigation into Michigan.According to 5 sources

knowledgeable about the call, a chorus of voices encouraged Petitti to take action against Michigan in a call that was described as both intense and psychological.

“Jointly, the coaches want the Big 10 to act– right now,” said a source knowledgeable about the call. “What are we waiting on? We understand what happened.”

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The NCAA has actually been examining Michigan for nearly two weeks, as the Big 10 confirmed the NCAA’s sign-stealing examination on Oct. 19. Because that time, ESPN has reported that Michigan staffer Connor Stalions emerged as a focal point of the examination and has acquired tickets to the games of 12 of 13 Big 10 opponents over the last 3 years.Overall, Stalions has acquired tickets to more than 35 games in a minimum of 17 stadiums over the last 3 years, ESPN reported. Michigan suspended Stalions the same day ESPN reported he was the center of the investigation. A former Division III coach also informed ESPN he was paid by Stalions to computer games at multiple Huge 10 schools.The coaches in the Huge Ten laid out to Petitti, who was hired

in April, just how unique of a schematic advantage Michigan has actually held the last three years by unlawfully getting the opposition’s signals ahead of time, as has actually been alleged.Coaches used words like”tainted,” “deceptive”and “unprecedented”on the

call to explain Michigan’s signal-stealing plan, as has actually been alleged. Much of the call, according to sources, was coaches describing to Petitti both how it worked and how it affected them and their programs. Both in-person challenger hunting and using electronic equipment to steal signals are not allowed by NCAA rules.In the three years that Stalions left a paper trail of buying tickets to games of Michigan opponents, the Wolverines have actually

gone 33-3 general and 22-1 in Huge 10 play. In the previous 3 years, they were 21-11 general and 16-8 in league play.” Individuals don’t understand the seriousness of it, “said another source. “How it really impacted the strategy. To truly understand if it’s a run or a pass, people do not understand just how much of a benefit that was for Michigan.”There was anger interspersed throughout the call, as one source explained the belief as:” Every game they played is tainted.”

The coaches acknowledged the reality on the call that the NCAA enforcement timeline won’t impact Michigan this season, as the Wolverines are 8-0

and No. 3 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings. And that’s one reason the Big Ten coaches gotten in touch with action from the Big Ten.Sources explained Petitti as listening carefully to the coaches, but not tipping his hand in what direction he may go. Sources revealed curiosity regarding whether the

Big Ten is really thinking about doing something about it or just listening to coaches so they can be heard.The Big 10 technically has authority under its Sportsmanship Policy to penalize Michigan or members of the training staff.That’s been considered not likely in this case in the near future, as it

‘s uncommon to have an NCAA case unfolding in genuine time. While plenty of proof has emerged in media reports, the league would likely be unable to utilize those as a truth set to make a decision.The league could also initiate its own investigation into potential violations of the Big 10’s sportsmanship policy. While Petitti has authority to determine discipline, if it’s beyond a standard level it need to be looked at by an executive committee that might approve, reject or lessen that discipline.League officials did not respond to request for remark late Wednesday. “I don’t believe the Big Ten understood how upset everybody was,” said another source.”The tenor of the call was asking the Big 10 to show leadership– the conference and the presidents. An unmatched offense of the guidelines would require unprecedented action from the Big 10.

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