Indiana Coach Tom Allen Comments on Michigan Sign-Stealing Scandal

Allegations of sign stealing from the Michigan football program have dominated the college football news cycle in recent weeks, and Indiana coach Tom Allen shared his thoughts on the situation Monday.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Coach Jim Harbaugh's Michigan football program is being investigated by the NCAA for unauthorized scouting and illicit recording of opposing sidelines.

Michigan has suspended Connor Stalions, the staff member central to the alleged sign-stealing scandal, and The Detroit Free Press published a running timeline of events throughout the last few weeks.

On Monday, Indiana coach Tom Allen was asked by Seth Tow of The Daily Hoosier if he was aware of or encountered sign stealing against Michigan, and if he had any thoughts on the scandal. Michigan defeated Indiana 52-7 in Ann Arbor on Oct. 14, less than a week before allegations broke.

Here's the full transcript of Allen's comments, and the video is attached below.

"Do I have any thoughts? Wow, that's loaded," Allen said, laughing. "I've been asked about different things. I don't know about what's going on there. But I know there's a gamesmanship, in-game signals. That's why you see all the contraptions. We kind of laugh sometimes about all the stuff that we go into. We've got three different signalers wearing goofy looking shirts and hats and all these different colors. So that's the gamesmanship of it."

"Then there's whatever, there's different things that goes beyond that, that's different to me. But I don't really -- I don't know enough about it. There's no question a lot of conversations going on by a lot of people that don't know a lot of things."

"But there's also an integrity of the game. I just believe in that. I believe in doing things the right way. You've got to be able to stand up and give account for how you operate as a man. Look yourself in the mirror and know you do things the right way."

"I'm not saying they did – I don't know what's going on there. But I just know, I just want to say we need to protect the integrity of the game. That's my stance on that, and I think that's important."

Harbaugh issued a statement on Oct. 19, the same day allegations broke.

"I want to make it clear that I, and my staff, will fully cooperate with the investigation into this matter," Harbaugh said. "I do not have any knowledge or information regarding the University of Michigan football program illegally stealing signals, nor have I directed staff members or others to participate in an off-campus scouting assignment. I have no awareness of anyone on our staff having done that or having directed that action."

"I do not condone or tolerate anyone doing anything illegal or against the NCAA rules. No matter what program or organization that I have led throughout my career, my instructions and awareness of how we scout opponents have always been firmly within the rules. Pursuant to NCAA rules, I will not be able to comment further while this investigation takes place."

Harbaugh also held a press conference Monday, and that video is attached below. 

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