Connor Stalions out at Michigan amid sign-stealing allegations

[November 04, 2023]  Connor Stalions, the football analyst linked to the NCAA's investigation into sign-stealing allegations at Michigan, is no longer with the program.
 
Several reports Friday evening said Stalions was fired, two weeks after he was pinpointed as a person of interest in the investigation. Michigan later announced that Stalions resigned. 

"Connor Stalions resigned his position with Michigan Athletics this afternoon," the university said in a statement. "We are unable to comment further regarding this personnel matter."

Michigan suspended Stalions with pay on Oct. 20, pending the outcome of the investigation. But Stalions has refused to cooperate with both internal and external investigations since then, ESPN and The Athletic reported Friday.

Since his suspension, multiple outlets have reported that Stalions had purchased game tickets to watch Big Ten foes as well as several potential College Football Playoff opponents such as Georgia, Clemson and Alabama. Stalions also reportedly bought seats at numerous Big Ten games in areas where the opponents' sidelined play signals could be viewed.

Yahoo Sports and ESPN reported that Stalions transferred tickets to others who attended games and allegedly made videos of sideline signals that later could be deciphered.

Officials at Central Michigan were reviewing photos that appeared to depict Stalions roaming its sidelines in the season opener at Michigan State, ESPN reported Tuesday.

Scouting opponents is not illegal in the eyes of the NCAA, albeit with one major exception. NCAA Bylaw 11.6.1 reads as follows: "Off-campus, in-person scouting of future opponents (in the same season) is prohibited."

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh has claimed he had no knowledge of any wrongdoing.

--Field Level Media

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