Report: NCAA Clears Ohio State's Ryan Day From Ties to Michigan Sign-Stealing Scandal
According to Yahoo Sports, the NCAA notified the Big Ten on Monday that there are no known connections between Ohio State head coach Ryan Day or his family and the conference's investigation into Michigan.
Last week, it had been reported that Day's family was linked to the investigation of Michigan's sign-stealing scandal as one of Day's brothers runs a private investigative firm in their hometown of Manchester, N.H.
Per Yahoo Sports, Day and his family had received threats as a result of the story.
On Monday, the Big Ten formally notified Michigan that it could be facing disciplinary action from the league. The conference, under first-year commissioner Tony Petitti, has the authority to impose discipline under the sportsmanship policy before the lengthy NCAA investigative and infractions process concludes.
Petitti could elect to suspend Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh for multiple games this season. On Friday, Connor Stalions, the analyst believed to be at the center of the NCAA's investigation for visiting campuses and stealing signs against future Michigan opponents, resigned from his position Friday after initially being suspended with pay.
Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day protests a call during the first half of Saturday's NCAA Division I football game against the Maryland Terrapins at Ohio Stadium
Barbara J. Perenic/The Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK
Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel released a statement Monday saying he would not travel to Grapevine, Texas, for College Football Playoff selection committee meetings, and would remain on campus "attending to important matters regarding the ongoing investigation into our football program."
Last Tuesday, the Wolverines debuted at No. 3 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings. Ohio State appeared at No. 1 following two top-10 wins over Notre Dame and Penn State.
Petitti reportedly traveled to Ann Arbor last week to meet with Michigan president Santa Ono, where he reviewed information obtained by the NCAA. Earlier the week, Petitti spoke to other Big Ten coaches, athletic directors, and presidents to hear their thoughts on the sign-stealing scandal.
Should the Big Ten impose disciplinary action, both Harbaugh and the school are expected to take legal options to push back against the league. Per ESPN, school officials have had ongoing conversations around legal action exploring Harbaugh's actions involved in the scandal.
Harbaugh, who led the Wolverines to back-to-back Big Ten titles and College Football Playoff appearances, reportedly had no idea or influence on Stalions' NCAA rule-breaking decisions.
Both Ohio State and Michigan remain undefeated heading into Week 10. The Buckeyes (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten) return to Ohio Stadium to take on Michigan State, while the Wolverines travel to Beaver Stadium in State College, Pa., to take on No. 11 Penn State.
The Buckeyes will travel to Ann Arbor on Nov. 25 to face the Wolverines for what could decide the Big Ten East division. Michigan has won both games since the reported sign-stealing scandal began.
Prior to 2021, the Wolverines had lost eight straight to the Buckeyes, with its last win coming in 2011. The two schools did not play in 2020 due to scheduling caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
