There are some wild rumors that an investigative firm connected to Ryan Day’s brother looked into Michigan football and provided the info to the NCAA.
If you’ve never heard of a place called 4th and 1 Investigations, you’re about to, because it’s run by Ryan Day’s brother and might be connected to the Michigan football scandal.
Ever since the article by the Washington Post was released this past week, it reported that a “private firm” had been investigating Michigan football and turned over information to the NCAA, which triggered the NCAA probe into allegations of in-person scouting.
The Washington Post, specifically, a writer (Will Hobson) who doesn’t cover college football, and also went to Boston College at the same time as head coach Ryan Day, got the story, yet failed to provide any information about the firm.
Are you saying that Third Base hired his own brother to investigate Michigan because he can't beat us? That's what the internet is currently saying. I mean who would hire a private firm to investigate a college football team and rat them out? It almost makes too much sense. https://t.co/JacvKEWxEN pic.twitter.com/71fQaPKvLi
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) October 29, 2023
In fact, it seems as though the writer didn’t care to question where the information came from, which is kind of wild considering he’s a Pulitzer Prize winner.
There’s an old saying in journalism — if you’re printing what someone wants you to print — it’s PR. That feels like what the Washington Post reduced itself to on Wednesday — a PR piece for Ohio State.
Sam Webb of the Michigan Insider has also been dropping hints about Christopher Day, the brother of Ryan Day who runs the 4th and I investigative firm.
It’d be hard to imagine Day using his brother’s firm. However, it wouldn’t be surprising if Day’s brother gave the job to another firm he’s connected to.
This all seems fishy and the coordinated PR Blitz that has taken place makes even more sense now. Beyond that, Ohio State asked the NCAA permission to in-person scout during the College Football Playoff last year, according to Ross Dellenger, which was granted.
Last December, Ohio State made a peculiar inquiry to the NCAA/CFP: Is it permissible to send staff to scout the other semifinal?
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) October 28, 2023
Answer: Yes.
The inquiry triggered a CFP bylaw change & now feels strangely relevant given the NCAA’s probe into Michigan.https://t.co/675gP03ckR
So what’s the big deal with all of this again? I’m not sure about that. The point of it all? That’s to take down Jim Harbaugh and the chief benefactor of that seems to be Ryan Day’s reputation.
To be clear, this hasn’t been verified but if Ryan Day’s brother is connected in any way to this investigation, the NCAA should be ashamed of itself, if it has any shame left that is.