A Michigan staffer with a military background is the alleged point person behind Michigan’s sign-stealing controversy, and he in the crosshairs of the NCAA’s investigation.

Connor Stalions is a retired captain in the United States Marine Corps and a football analyst for the second-ranked Wolverines, and is being looked into as the NCAA investigates whether or not Michigan violated rules regarding sign stealing, according to ESPN.

He was officially suspended by the school on Friday.

A Big Ten coach alleged to Yahoo Sports that Stalions is the main person involved in the nefarious tactics.

“He spearheads the operation,” the coach told Yahoo. “I once told (Stalions), ‘We know what kind of s–t you are doing and it’s f–ked up.’”

The NCAA has already asked for access to Stalion’s computer as part of the investigation, per ESPN.

Michigan is being accused of scouting future opponents in person at games, which has been prohibited since 1994.

ESPN reported Michigan’s alleged scheme dates back to 2021 and has been described as “elaborate.”

“We were told to be careful because they had a guy who could pick plays,” one Big Ten head coach told Yahoo Sports. “It was too late in the week to change our signals, but another staff did tell us about (Stalions).”

Stalions is considered a low-level staffer, according to ESPN.

It appears he has deleted his social media accounts as his name has surfaced in the investigation.

A LinkedIn page that is not active lists Stalions as a “football” analyst who started in 2022, and the finer type specifically stated he’s a defensive analyst.

Inactive X and Instagram accounts both stated that he works with the linebackers, while the X account listed him as a 2017 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy.

The inactive LinkedIn account provided details on his role and featured some notable lines considering the allegations against Stalions and Michigan.

“I focus on using my experience to employ Marine Corps philosophies and tactics into the sport of football regarding strategies in staffing, recruiting, scouting, intelligence, planning and more,” the LinkedIn page read. “I emphasize … identifying the opponent’s most likely course of action and most dangerous course of action; identifying and exploiting critical vulnerabilities and centers of gravity in the opponent scouting process…”

ESPN reported that Stalions technically works in the recruiting department, but he is known to spend time analyzing and breaking down opponents’ signals.

While breaking down signs on videos is allowed, it would be a violation if he did so in-person while attending opponents’ games.

Signs can also not stolen via recording devices and relayed to coaches or player, per ESPN.

“He had one role,” a source told ESPN.

Yahoo reported Ohio State staffers knew of Stalions potentially stealing signs before last year’s game.

“We heard they had a guy pick plays pretty good and had all this information from not your typical ways of getting the signals,” the staff member told Yahoo. “We get into the game and it’s the second quarter. I see him across the field and he’s checking his 11×17 sheet.”

Michigan coach John Harbaugh has denied the allegations.

The Wolverines are alleged to have violated NCAA bylaw 11.6.1, per ESPN, which states: “Off-campus, in-person scouting of future opponents (in the same season) is prohibited.”

“I have no awareness of anyone on our staff having done that or having directed that action,” Harbaugh said a statement, per ESPN. “No matter what program or organization that I have led throughout my career, my instructions and awareness of how we scout opponents have always been firmly within the rules.

“I have no awareness of anyone on our staff having done that or having directed that action. No matter what program or organization that I have led throughout my career, my instructions and awareness of how we scout opponents have always been firmly within the rules.”

Harbaugh, who already served a three-game suspension this year for recruiting violations, could be punished for the alleged scheme under NCAA bylaw 11.1.2.1, according to ESPN, which states a head coach “can be responsible for the actions of his staff and individuals associated with the program.”

One Big Ten source told ESPN this alleged cheating scandal transcends recent examples from professional sports.

“This is worse than both the Astros and the Patriots — it’s both use of technology for a competitive advantage and there’s allegations that they are filming prior games, not just in-game,” the source told ESPN. “If it was just an in-game situation, that’s different. Going and filming somewhere you’re not supposed to be. It’s illegal. It’s too much of an advantage.”