NCAA President Charlie Baker said the University of Michigan won the national championship “fairly and squarely” and said the association’s executive staff was investigating allegations of in-person scouting and a sign-stealing scheme with schools during the season. He defended his decision to notify the Big Ten.
On Monday night, the No. 1 Wolverines defeated No. 2 Washington in the College Football Playoff to cap off a perfect season, but the second half of the season was left in the dark by an NCAA investigation that left the Big Ten with a win over No. 2 Washington. was suspended for three games. Herbaugh.
In a meeting with reporters, Baker explained why the NCAA took the unusual step of notifying investigators last October.
“A third party has contacted me and said there is evidence that Michigan State is involved in a very comprehensive and unusual sign-stealing scheme,” Baker said late Tuesday. The parties were told they would need to go in person to NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis to present evidence to enforcement officials as part of the vetting process.
“They did it, they showed it to the offenders, and it was very convincing,” Baker said, without elaborating on the identity of the third party.
Baker said the NCAA decided to contact the Big Ten and Michigan State to share the first piece of information it received from a third party because it could affect the outcome of the game.
The Big Ten then notified the schools that played against Michigan and those still on Michigan’s schedule. Shortly after the news leaked to the media, the Big Ten and Michigan State both publicly acknowledged the investigation. Harbaugh, who faces unresolved NCAA violations in a separate recruiting-related case, has denied any knowledge or involvement in illegal scouting of opposing players, and after the win over the Huskies, his program He reiterated that there was no wrongdoing.
Baker said he is confident the NCAA has not leaked any information about the investigation to the media.
“I don’t regret what I did because I think if we had based on that information, we would have put everyone, including the state of Michigan, in a worse situation,” Baker said. “The fact of the matter is, it was in the public domain. And people either made adjustments or they didn’t. After all, who at this point said the University of Michigan couldn’t win a national title fair and square?” I don’t believe in that either. So I think we did the right thing.”
The NCAA’s sign-stealing investigation is expected to continue for several more months. Michigan has not yet received a notice of accusation from the NCAA formally detailing the charges and must respond within 90 days of receiving the charges. A hearing before the Violations Committee must then be scheduled.
“We are having a series of discussions with the offenders to see if anything can be done to speed up the pace of the investigation,” Baker said. “Because in cases like this, you want to be able to act more quickly.”
What could complicate things for Michigan State is the uncertainty of Harbaugh’s future with the Wolverines. Harbaugh has repeatedly said he was not involved in the sign-stealing operation, which involves sending people to Michigan’s opponent’s games and videotaping signals coming in from the sideline. Ta.
Records from other Big Ten schools show former University of Michigan recruiting analyst Connor Stallions purchased tickets to numerous games involving future opponents. Mr. Stallions was first placed on administrative leave by the school and then resigned.
Baker would not speculate on the timeline for Michigan’s case or whether the NCAA might share its findings with NFL teams interested in hiring Harbaugh.
Michigan remains embroiled in a separate NCAA case involving football recruiting violations, and Harbaugh has not been forthcoming with investigators. The school received a notice of accusation regarding the matter in December. The University of Michigan voluntarily suspended Harbaugh for three games earlier this season to reduce future penalties after attempts to resolve the issue were rejected by the NCAA Committee on Violations. did.
Baker did not attend the College Football Playoff championship game in Houston, but said he felt Michigan was “obviously the better team.”
“As I’ve said before, one of the reasons I think it’s important to discuss this with the Big Ten and the University of Michigan is because it could affect the outcome of the game,” Baker said. It was. And I think that’s important. ”
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