Greg Schiano responds to Michigan sign-stealing investigation, halftime comments vs. Wolverines
Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano’s comments regarding, seemingly, about Michigan resurfaced after Jim Harbaugh and the program faced more potential NCAA violations.
Harbaugh and Michigan were accused of sign stealing, in an illegal way, and also suspended staffer Connor Stalions for his alleged role in the scheme. However, Schiano did not necessarily comment on those allegations when Rutgers lost 31-7 at Michigan just a few weeks ago.
The Rutgers head coach was vague during his halftime interview on Big Ten Network, which raised eyebrows, but he clarified he was not referring to the latest allegations with Michigan’s program.
“That comment at half was strictly about my frustration with things that had gone on at half with officiating,” Schiano said when asked if it had anything to do with potential Michigan cheating allegations. “It had nothing to do with (anything else). I kept saying ‘how did I get dragged into this?’ But let’s focus on today and today’s win.”
During that interview, Schiano was asked about the penalties his team took in the first 30 minutes.
“Well, there’s some stuff going on out there,” Schiano said on the broadcast September 23. “So we just got to slow it down a little bit. There’s some things going on that aren’t right as well. So we’ll talk about how to handle it.”
Taken out of context, it could surely look like Schiano referring to some sort of sign stealing. But again, he said that was not on his mind whatsoever.
His focus shifted to the 31-14 win over Indiana Saturday, which improved the Scarlet Knights’ record to 6-2 and made them bowl eligible for the first time since 2014 and for the first time since Schiano’s return to the program in 2020.
Greg Schiano clarifies remarks about Michigan
News broke Thursday Michigan was under NCAA investigation for allegedly illicitly stealing opponents’ signals ahead of games against them. The Wolverines moved Stalions out of the picture until the matter was settled.
“Michigan Athletics suspended Connor Stalions today, with pay, pending the conclusion of the NCAA investigation,” Manuel said in a statement announcing the suspension.
Stealing signs or signals for plays on its own isn’t against NCAA rules. Michigan is under scrutiny specifically for allegedly sending personnel to games of upcoming opponents and/or using electronic equipment to record signals. Scouting opponents in-person has been forbidden by NCAA rules since 1994 and rules against electronic surveillance have been in place for decades.