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Mike Leach fined by Pac-12 after sign-stealing comments

Nick Bromberg
·College football and motorsports writer
Mike Leach said he heard rumors that Arizona State had equipment to help steal signs. (Getty)
Mike Leach said he heard rumors that Arizona State had equipment to help steal signs. (Getty)

Mike Leach has a little less money following his Monday comments about Arizona State and sign stealing.

The Pac-12 has fined Leach $10,000 and issued a reprimand for what he said about ASU. Leach said he believed the Sun Devils still stole signs and that he heard rumors the team has equipment at Sun Devil Stadium to enhance the practice.

“Conference rules prohibit Pac-12 member institutions from disparaging each other and discrediting other institutions,” Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott said in a statement.

Arizona State coach Todd Graham responded to Leach’s comments by referencing the integrity of ASU’s program. The conversation about sign-stealing was a sequel to the discussion the two publicly had in 2015 when Leach first leveled accusations of sign-stealing against Arizona State.

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At the time, Graham said the Sun Devils stole signals and that other teams did too. As Scott’s statement pointed out, it’s not illegal for opposing teams to watch and track a team’s signals.

“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.”

“Currently, there are no playing rules that restrict a team from observing an opponent’s offensive or defensive signals. The NCAA playing rules (1-4-11-a, b and f) cover what audio and video equipment is prohibited in the team area, coaching box and coaches’ booth, and specifically state that any attempt to record, either through audio or video means, any signals given by an opposing player, coach or other team personal is prohibited.”

Arizona State and Washington State play Saturday night.

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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!