Jim Harbaugh was slapped with a three-game suspension at the end of last season at Michigan after a Big Ten investigation found wrongdoing from the Connor Stalions illegal scouting scandal. An NCAA investigation is still underway.
Now the Texas high school ranks has a similar story on their hands, and they're prepared to bring the hammer of discipline down.
According to Dave Campbell's Texas Football, Palestine Westwood head coach Richard Bishop has been recommended for suspension for the remainder of the season after allegations surfaced that he orchestrated and executed a plan to video opponents signals while scouting.
In addition to the suspension of Bishop, the district committee also ruled that the program, which is currently undefeated and ranked among the top 10 in the state, must forfeit all their district games for the rest of the 2024 season, including the games still on the schedule.
DCTF sharing that the violations were "intentional, serious, and egregious decisions," that made a mockery of fair play rules.
Both the suspension and forfeiture of district games will go to the UIL State Executive Committee level before further action is taken, and Westwood has already shared that they plan to appeal the forfeiture of games ruling.
Three games remain in the Texas high school regular season before the playoffs begin.
It will be fascinating to learn more about this scheme as additional details come to light after everyone was educated on just how widespread legal sign stealing is at the college level through Stalions comments since his dismissal at Michigan, and how Palestine Westwood's approach was ultimately different.
The press release from the school district, initially shared by DCTF, can be found below.