Alabama Changing Film Study Because of Michigan Sign Stealing
LOS ANGELES— Michigan football has been shrouded in a sign-stealing scandal this season that led to the resignation of staffer Connor Stallions and suspension of head coach Jim Harbaugh.
Former Michigan co-offensive coordinator Matt Weiss was fired in January for inappropriately accessing computers and later was investigated by the FBI for the same issue.
Because of all this and as an extra precaution, the Alabama football team has changed the way it is handling film study leading up to the Crimson Tide's matchup with Michigan in the Rose Bowl.
Players usually can watch film on individual tablets or computers from anywhere, but in preparation for Michigan the team has only been watching film as a group with the coaches at team facilities according to Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Bond and running back Jase McClellan.
"The app where we record film off of practice and stuff like that, and they were I guess like looking at other people’s play calls, their hand signals the first eight games or something like that," Bond said Thursday. "So we’re able to watch film with the team, but personally, we can’t watch film. I don’t know, some reason with Michigan stealing signs. I’m not really too keyed in on that."
McClellan said the changed happened about two weeks ago when the team got together to start practicing for the Wolverines. The coaches informed the players that all filmy study would be done as a team– not on an individual or position group basis.
"Somebody could get our information, you never know, so we just send it to one computer that the coaches have," McClellan said.
The Alabama running back said it's really not that much of a change for the team because they still come in and watch film once practice is over. Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Tommy Rees was asked about the change in protocol.
"I don't want to get into the whole Michigan deal with whatever they have going on over there," Rees said. "That's not a decision I'm making. Our focus is on how do we get our players best prepared to go play this game. Really just focusing on what we can do and less about them."
The Crimson Tide players said they didn't pay much attention to the sign-stealing scandal throughout the season because it didn't pertain to them. Now, they're just focused on preparing for the Wolverines with a spot in the College Football Playoff championship game on the line.
"When we get on the field, they’re going to have to play us anyways so all that sign stealing's not going to help them," Bond said.
No. 4 Alabama will face No. 1 Michigan Monday in the Rose Bowl at 4 p.m.
