In a recent development, the Big Ten conference has reportedly notified the University of Michigan of potential disciplinary action in relation to the ongoing investigation of alleged sign-stealing. Multiple outlets have reported that the conference holds the authority to discipline its member schools under its sportsmanship policy.

Michigan has been given until Wednesday to respond to the notice of potential discipline. If the Big Ten decides to take action, this could potentially include a suspension of head coach Jim Harbaugh. In response to this possibility, the school is expected to push back through legal means, as per reports from ESPN and other sources.

Meanwhile, University of Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel has announced that he will not be traveling to Texas for the College Football Playoff selection committee meetings on Tuesday. Manuel stated that he will be staying in Ann Arbor to address important matters regarding the ongoing investigation into the football program. He expressed his intention to resume committee meetings next week and throughout the season.

The latest twist in the sign-stealing saga came earlier on Monday when a former employee from a rival Big Ten football program confessed that it was his responsibility to steal signs. The employee claimed to have gathered details from multiple conference schools in order to compile a spreadsheet of Michigan's play-calling signals from last year. These revelations add another layer of complexity to the investigation.

According to reports, the former employee shared the stolen documents, which included Michigan's signs and corresponding plays, as well as screenshots of text-message exchanges with staff members from other Big Ten schools, with the University of Michigan itself. Fearful of potential repercussions on his coaching career, the employee spoke to The Associated Press anonymously.

It has been disclosed that the University of Michigan promptly shared the documents received from the former Big Ten football program employee with the conference on Friday. However, the details of this exchange remain undisclosed due to the sensitivity of the ongoing situation.

On the same day, University President Santa Ono and Athletic Director Warde Manuel held a meeting with Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti regarding the allegations and evidence presented against Michigan. The conference has requested a response from the university by early this week. Discussions within the conference have centered around potential punishments, including the suspension of Jim Harbaugh and other coaches.

In an email to Commissioner Petitti, President Ono implored the conference to delay any action until the results of the NCAA investigation are available. Ono highlighted that the Big Ten's coaches have called for immediate punishment, but emphasized the importance of conducting a thorough investigation and considering all the evidence before making any decisions.

While the NCAA does not explicitly ban sign-stealing, there are rules against in-person scouting. Some of the allegations against Michigan suggest a well-organized and well-funded approach. Jim Harbaugh has vehemently denied having any knowledge of such a scheme, and the university has stated that it is fully cooperating with the NCAA throughout the investigation.

In recent weeks, Connor Stalions, an employee at Michigan, resigned two weeks after being suspended by the university. Stalions' attorney stated that his client did not wish to be a distraction for the team. Stalions affirmed that, to the best of his knowledge, none of the Michigan coaches instructed anyone to break rules or were aware of any improper conduct related to advance scouting. It is worth noting that Harbaugh had previously served a three-game suspension imposed by the university in relation to unresolved NCAA recruiting violations.

As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen whether the Big Ten will proceed with disciplinary action against Michigan before the NCAA investigation concludes. The university and its supporters maintain that a thorough examination of the evidence is crucial before any judgments are made.