"Nick Saban was given a month, and he hired a former Michigan assistant" — Rich Eisen gets candid about latest sign-stealing investigations

Rich Eisen has opened up on the alleged sign-stealing involving his alma mater the Michigan Wolverines. Eisen is a known Michigan fan and doesn't think the sign-stealing mattered.

Eisen said Alabama hiring a former Michigan assistant coach to help them prepare for the Rose Bowl proves it didn't matter. He also pointed to the fact that Ohio State led in two of the three games that the Wolverines beat them in. (Timestamp at 2:20).

"Nick Saban was given a month and he hired a former Michigan assistant. Michigan won that one. Paul Finebaum said today on ESPN said that Michigan won it fair and square. So, that is the thing that obviously I'm hearing, I got hectic at the podium in Ohio on Friday night...," Eisen said.

"People screaming cheater at me. Hey, the cheating was so perfect that Ohio State led in two of the three games that Michigan eventually beat them in... All of this stuff, the accomplishments, you want to put asterisks on whatever you want to do, all I know is there is a trophy in the case."

Eisen makes a fair point about how other teams still had success against Michigan throughout the season. But, as he says, the championship will be forever, despite what other fans say about the program.

Former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh denies any knowledge of the sign-stealing

Jim Harbaugh had been the Michigan Wolverines coach for nine seasons and led the program to a national championship last season.

At the end of the season, Harbaugh left Michigan to join the Los Angeles Chargers in the NFL. Although Harbaugh was the head coach, he says he had no knowledge of the alleged sign-stealing.

"Never lie. Never cheat. Never steal. I was raised with that lesson," Harbaugh said, via ESPN. "I have raised my family on that lesson. I have preached that lesson to the teams that I have coached. No one is perfect. If you stumble, you apologize and you make it right. Today, I do not apologize. I did not participate, was not aware nor complicit in those said allegations. So, it's back to work and attacking with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind."

The NCAA's investigation into Michigan is still ongoing, but Harbaugh is accused of committing a Level 1 violation, which is the most serious category in the NCAA's enforcement process.