The person at the center of Michigan’s sign-stealing scandal is no longer with the university.
Connor Stalions resigned from his athletic department role Friday, the university said in a statement, after reports initially emerged that he’d been fired.
Stalions previously was suspended with pay by the school.
Stalions, a former captain in the United States Marine Corps, was accused of leading the alleged operation, and The Athletic reported he didn’t cooperate with investigations.
His attorney explained why he stepped down from his position at Michigan.
“As he informed the school earlier today, Connor chose to resign because recent stories regarding his time with the University of Michigan have created a distraction for the team,” attorney Brad Beckworth told The Athletic on Friday. “He hopes his resignation will help the team and coaching staff focus on tomorrow’s game and the remainder of the season.
“Connor also wants to make it clear that, to his knowledge, neither Coach Harbaugh, nor any other coach or staff member, told anyone to break any rules or were aware of improper conduct regarding the recent allegations of advanced scouting.”
Stalions provided his own statement to the the outlet and reiterated that he did not want to be a distraction for the school.
“I love the University of Michigan and its football program,” he told The Athletic. “And I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to work with the incredible student athletes, coach [Jim] Harbaugh and the other coaches that have been a part of the Michigan football family during my tenure,” Stalions said
Ex-Marine Connor Stalions was fired by Michigan. @CPStalionsIn October, one Big Ten coach spoke about Stalions alleged role in the scandal.
“He spearheads the operation,” a Big Ten coach told Yahoo last month. “I once told (Stalions), ‘We know what kind of s–t you are doing and it’s f–ked up.’”
Stalions allegedly bought tickets to games inside and outside the Big Ten — including for College Football Playoff contenders — in order to scout team’s signals.
A previous report from ESPN alleged that he purchased tickets to 30 different games, at 11 different schools, over the course of three years.
Stalions (left) had been suspended by the school. @CPStalions/XEarlier this week, video emerged that allegedly showed Stalions on the Central Michigan sidelines during their game against Michigan State.
Central Michigan announced that it is investigating the matter.
Sign-stealing is not banned in college football, per se, but in-person advanced scouting has been banned by the NCAA since 1994.
Central Michigan is investigating whether Connor Stalions was on their sidelines for their season opener against Michigan State. X / Athletes in Space“Any attempt to record, either through audio or video means, any signals given by an opposing player, coach or other team personnel is prohibited,” the rule states.
In a statement last month, Harbaugh denied wrongdoing, and claimed no knowledge of the sign-stealing scheme, saying that he hasn’t “directed any staff member or others to participate in an off-campus scouting assignment.”
“I have no awareness of anyone on our staff having done that or having directed that action,” Harbaugh added.
Other Big Ten football coaches have been pressing conference commissioner Tony Petitti to discipline Michigan in the wake of the scandal.
“Collectively, the coaches want the Big Ten to act — right now,” a source told ESPN. “What are we waiting on? We know what happened.”
