ARIZONA STATE FOOTBALL

Mike Leach fined $10,000 after accusing ASU of stealing signs

Oct 20, 2016, 10:00 PM | Updated: Oct 21, 2016, 11:16 am

(AP Photo/Young Kwak, File)...

(AP Photo/Young Kwak, File)

(AP Photo/Young Kwak, File)

LISTEN: Todd Graham, ASU football head coach

The Pirate is losing some of his booty.

Washington State head coach Mike Leach has been reprimanded and fined $10,000 after accusing the Arizona State football program of stealing offensive play call signs, the Pac-12 Conference announced Thursday.

“Conference rules prohibit Pac-12 member institutions from disparaging each other and discrediting other institutions,” said Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott in a release. “Information or accusations relative to rule violations must be handled by institutions filing those concerns with the conference office through a formal process, and institutions must refrain from discussing those concerns publicly.”

Scott clarified that no rules prohibit teams from observing an opponent’s signs.

NCAA playing rules 1-4-11-a, b and f do specify what audio and video equipment is not allowed in the team area or press boxes, and make it clear that it is illegal to record signals through audio of video, Scott noted.

Leach made the comments at his Monday press conference as his Cougars were in the midst of preparing to visit ASU this Saturday.

“Well, I think they still steal signs and we’ll have to keep an eye on that. That’s certainly the reputation,” Leach said then. “I think they have a certain amount of technology and expertise on the subject. If they ever go to a different conference or something, I’d certainly like them to share it with us.”

The WSU coach said ASU had “a whole command center” designed around stealing signs.

“I’ve heard a lot of rumors of, you know, microphones to pick up extra sound, to sift and sort extra sound — perhaps what the quarterback’s saying — closeup cameras, stuff like that,” Leach added. “I don’t know if they shoot coaches (using signals) on the sideline — some teams will — which this is totally illegal and I’m not saying they do or they don’t.”

Arizona State coach Todd Graham, for the second year in a row, did not deny his staff watches opponent signs but maintained it is within the rules.

“We take a great deal of pride in the integrity our program has,” Graham told the media this week. “I’ll just leave it at that. I’m not going to get involved in things like that, that are ridiculous, but when you speak about our integrity and my integrity and our integrity as a program, we take great pride in that.”

Speaking with Doug and Wolf on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Friday morning, Graham said Leach’s comments bothered him “not at all” because he is focused on getting his team ready to play the Cougars. However, any ire Graham may have toward Leach, he added, will be kept between the coaches.

Arizona State athletic director Ray Anderson issued a statement on the matter, one in which he expressed full support in Scott’s decision to fine Leach.

“Our professional integrity was questioned for two straight years by Mike Leach’s irresponsible comments and we will not allow that to happen.  We are pleased with the outcome and for us the matter is closed.”

This was not a new development in the budding rivalry, as Leach first called out Arizona State’s apparent sign-stealing tactics last season.

Arizona State Football

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: What is Bobby Hurley’s future at Arizona State?

On the latest State of the Sun Devil podcast the guys react to the end of men's basketball season, and wonder what the future of the program will be and how the offseason will unfold. Plus, reactions to football's pro day.

4 days ago

ASU football field...

Dan Bickley

Arizona State reaches rock bottom at end of Pac-12 stay

Rock bottom is mostly a metaphor, a cliché for sports teams that have fallen and can’t get up. But you can find it on the map at ASU.

4 days ago

Michael Crow, Arizona State University president...

Kevin Zimmerman

Now would be a good time for Arizona State to hire an athletic director

Who's to make a decision on Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley without an athletic director? Michael Crow must make a decision soon.

5 days ago

ASU QB Drew Pyne...

Arizona Sports

Former ASU starting QB Drew Pyne headed to Missouri

After playing in just two games in his ASU football career, quarterback Drew Pyne is moving on to the Missouri Tigers.

9 days ago

Sparky's Fairway at Mountain America Stadium...

Tyler Drake

Sparky’s Fairway golf takes over Arizona State’s Mountain America Stadium

ASU's Mountain America Stadium is trading in its hash marks for yardage markers as Sparky's Fairway takes center stage beginning Thursday.

12 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: What does Arizona State men’s basketball need to do against Bronny James and USC?

On the latest edition of State of the Sun Devils, the guys discuss what Arizona State men's basketball needs to do next.

14 days ago

Mike Leach fined $10,000 after accusing ASU of stealing signs