The NCAA is investigating low-level Michigan football worker Connor Stalions for sign-stealing and scouting violations. He resigned Friday.
Michigan athletics spokesman Kurt Svoboda tells The Associated Press that the Stalions resigned Friday afternoon. The school said nothing else.
Stalions’ attorney told The Athletic that his client resigned because stories about him have distracted the second-ranked Wolverines, who visit Purdue on Saturday night and are favorites to reach the College Football Playoff.
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“Connor also wants to make clear that, to his knowledge, neither Coach Jim Harbaugh nor any other coach or staff member told anyone to break any rules or were aware of improper conduct regarding the recent advanced scouting allegations,” attorney Brad Beckworth stated.
The Athletic reported that the Stalions loved Michigan and were grateful to work with Harbaugh.
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“I do not want to be a distraction from what I hope to be a championship run for the team, and I will continue to cheer them on,” Stalions stated in his first public comments since the controversy two weeks ago.
Stalions Hearing on Friday:
A source initially informed AP that Stalions, who was suspended with pay, was fired. The source, who requested anonymity because Michigan does not disclose internal personnel moves, said Stalions missed a Friday hearing and informed the school through his attorney that he would not participate in any internal or external inquiries.
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Michigan is under investigation by the NCAA for sending personnel to opponents’ games to record video to decipher their signals.
“We have absolute confirmation that they attended several of our games,” announced Purdue coach Ryan Walters on Thursday radio. We had to teach our guys a new language.
Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti met with Michigan President Santa Ono and athletic director Warde Manuel on Friday to discuss disciplining the Wolverines’ football team for the scouting and sign-stealing plan. Big Ten spokeswoman Diane Dietz said Petitti spoke with Ono and Warde but gave no information.
Harbaugh denies unlawful scouting despite being penalized for three games earlier this season for another NCAA recruiting infraction.
Recruitment Analyst:
Stallion worked as a recruitment analyst for Michigan’s football department in 2022, according to his LinkedIn profile. Stalions is a Naval Academy graduate.
Several Big Ten colleges have found Stalions game tickets and CCTV footage of fans pointing phones at the pitch. On Sept. 1, Stalions wore CMU clothing and sunglasses on the Central Michigan sideline versus Michigan State, according to online photos.
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After Central Michigan’s win this week, coach Jim McElwain stated the Stalions weren’t on his sideline pass list. Michigan defeated rival Michigan State 49-0 last month.
The college football season finishes Jan. 8 with the national championship game in Houston. The NCAA’s inquiry may continue.
Bylaws allow the Big Ten commissioner to act faster on sportsmanship and competitive integrity. Early this week, Petitti video called Big Ten coaches and athletic directors. Two sources said coaches vented their displeasure and urged the conference to punish Michigan.
The ADs debated disciplining Petitti, mostly suspending Wolverines coaches like Harbaugh without Manuel.Both spoke on condition of anonymity because the Big Ten will not disclose its Michigan case conversations.
A favored Michigan (8-0) will prevail over Purdue. Michigan plays No. 11 Penn State next week, then Maryland before the Nov. 25 finale against No. 3 Ohio State. Penn State and Ohio State will decide the East Big Ten champion in Indianapolis on December 2.
After replacing Kevin Warren as Chicago Bears coach in May, Petitti told Big Ten coaches and ADs he may update them Sunday.
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