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

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.

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