Connor Stalions, the suspended Michigan football staffer at the center of the alleged in-person scouting and sign-stealing scandal enveloping the program, is no longer with the team.
Yahoo Sports reported Friday night Stalions had been fired. The Detroit News and other outlets have reported a Michigan spokesperson released a statement following the initial report, saying Stalions “resigned his position this afternoon,” suggesting he had stepped down rather than been fired.
The Athletic reported that Stalions released the following statement:
“I love the University of Michigan and its football program. And I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to work with the incredible student athletes, coach Harbaugh and the other coaches that have been a part of the Michigan football family during my tenure,” Stalions said. “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.”
The news comes the same day Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti reportedly met with U-M President Santa Ono to discuss the ongoing investigation into the Wolverines’ alleged scheme.
While the NCAA continues to investigate, it is not yet clear whether the Big Ten will hand down any punishment to the program prior to the completion of their probe.
Stalions is under investigation by the NCAA for allegedly running a “vast” operation that included in-person scouting at future opponents’ games and recording their sidelines in an apparent attempt to gain a competitive advantage.
Multiple Big Ten schools have alleged Stalions bought tickets in his own name and transferred them to other people over the last several season, according to multiple reports. Those people have allegedly been spotted on in-stadium surveillance video recording opponents’ sidelines.
While in-game signal stealing is not expressly against NCAA bylaws, it is against rules to use recording equipment to do so. Under a rule introduced in 1994 it is also illegal to scout opponents in-person.
Earlier this week photos began circulating on social media apparently showing someone who resembles Stalions on the Central Michigan University sideline during their season opener at Michigan State.
CMU officials have yet been unable to identify the man on the sideline seen wearing sunglasses during the night game and wearing a sideline pass. Head coach Jim McElwain said after the Chippewas' game Wednesday he was aware of photos showing the alleged "sign stealer guy."
As the investigation continues, it is not clear who funded Stalions’ alleged operation. Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh — also under scrutiny from the NCAA for alleged recruiting violations during the COVID-19 pandemic — has previously denied having knowledge of the alleged scheme.
Thus far, no evidence has surfaced explicitly showing any other coaches at Michigan knew of the alleged operation.
Earlier this week Petitti held calls with both Big Ten coaches and athletic directors, who voiced frustration with the scandal and urged the conference to take action against the Wolverines.