The video evidence of Michigan’s signal stealing efforts has gone viral, garnering over 17 million views in just 36 hours. The footage, shared by Ohio TV reporter Adam King, shows Michigan analyst Connor Stalions standing alongside defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, and staring at Ohio State’s sideline to intercept a signal. Once he identifies it, Stalions relays his own signal to help the Wolverines’ defense during the opening drive of last year’s game.
Many people were convinced by this evidence, believing it to be proof of Michigan’s cheating during the game. However, a college football signal stealer who watched the video on Tuesday didn’t understand the hype. He wonders why people are making such a big deal out of it.
The ongoing Michigan scandal has attracted the attention of coaches and staff members in the industry who have been stealing signals for years. While signal stealing is legal and well-documented, Stalions’ alleged violation of NCAA rules by purchasing tickets to games and possibly sending people to film future opponents has brought intense scrutiny to the practice.
A Power 5 program coach, who does not have Michigan on its schedule this season, agrees to provide insights into signal stealing anonymously. He wants to shed light on the misconceptions surrounding the practice and clarify what is and isn’t allowed. If the allegations against Stalions are true, it tarnishes the reputation of all signal stealers and makes their job more challenging. The coach is surprised that people haven’t noticed what goes on during games on Saturdays, as it appears to him that it happens everywhere.
While he can’t disclose all the secrets of signal stealing, the coach reveals ten important lessons about how effective signal stealing works. Here are some key takeaways:
1. Signal stealing is not illegal. Michigan’s coaches were not breaking any rules in the video. They were simply utilizing gathered intel for pre-snap decisions and in-game adjustments.
2. Most teams engage in some form of signal stealing. The lack of awareness and extreme reactions from fans and coaches regarding Michigan’s alleged signal stealing is surprising to the coach. He believes that all teams, including fans’ favorite ones, engage in signal stealing practices.
3. It is unnecessary to cross moral boundaries by filming opponents. While the coach acknowledges that some rival teams may send people to film signals during open practices or spring games, he considers Michigan’s alleged scheme to be excessive and crossing the line. He believes that thorough analysis of TV broadcast tape and game tape can provide sufficient insight into opponents’ signals.
4. Decoding signals does not guarantee success. Even with extensive efforts to crack opponents’ signals, there’s still a chance that the signals will change during the game. This can be frustrating for signal stealers who spend time decoding signals that end up being useless during the actual game.
5. Accuracy and speed are crucial. Signal stealers must quickly identify live signals and relay them effectively to the defense. The goal is to provide the defense with valuable information in real-time, allowing them to react appropriately.
Overall, the coach believes that people need to have a better understanding of signal stealing, as it is a common practice in the industry. While Stalions’ alleged actions may have crossed the line, signal stealing itself is a part of the game, and teams use it to gain a competitive edge.