seems pretty clear to me that if programs received Michigan's signals from past opponents in advance of their games, then they have been provided with advance scouting info gained in-person
did those head coaches know about this "vast network of cheating"?
relevant excerpt
BY LARRY LAGE Updated 7:57 PM EST, November 6, 2023 Share ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — A former employee at a Big Ten football program said Monday it was his job to steal signs and he was given details from multiple conference schools before his team played Michigan to compile a spreadsheet of play-calling signals used by the Wolverines last year.
He spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, fearing the disclosures could impact his coaching career.
The employee said he shared with Michigan the documents, which showed the Wolverines’ signs and corresponding plays, after his school faced the Jim Harbaugh-led program in 2022.
The person also passed along screenshots of text-message exchanges with staffers from a handful of Big Ten football teams with Michigan, giving the program proof that other conference teams were colluding to steal signs from the Wolverines.
He said he gave the additional details to Michigan last week because he hoped it would help Harbaugh’s embattled program, adding he believes the head coach and his assistants are being unfairly blamed for the actions of a rogue staffer.
(note - i dont believe that. id guess this person either got left behind when Ryan Walters moved on from Illinois, or let go when Illinois hired someone new)
The alleged actions by Michigan’s opponents potentially violate the Big Ten’s sportsmanship policy, which is being used as the basis of the conference’s case against Michigan. The school and the Big Ten confirmed Monday that Michigan had received notification of potential disciplinary action from the conference.