Stalions Sign Stealing Scheme
Over the course of three years, Michigan football off-field analyst Connor Stalions purchased tickets for more than 30 games at 11 Big Ten schools, reportedly using “illegal technology” to steal signs. While awaiting the outcome of the NCAA’s investigation, Stalions resigned from Michigan’s program on November 3. Head football coach, Jim Harbaugh, denied being involved in the operation, but accepted the Big Ten’s three game suspension in return for the Big Ten to cease the investigation into the sign-stealing allegations. However, the NCAA continues their investigation.
Stalions was known for spending time deciphering opponents signals, often watching television recordings of opponents’ games. While Stalions worked in recruiting and off-field analytics, there are images of Stalions on the Michigan sidelines during games. Stalions had tickets on both sides of the Ohio State vs. Penn State game, but they went unused after the investigation progressed. The investigation and eventual resignation of Stalions saw an end to his long-term plan to run the Michigan Football program. According to Sporting News, Stalions has a 500-600 page plan to coach Michigan football he deems “the Michigan Manifesto.”
While both of Stalions’ parents graduated from Michigan and he got accepted into the uUniversity, he attended the United States Naval Academy because Bo Schembechler (former Michigan head football coach) and Bill Belichick (current New England Patriots head coach) both attended. According to Sports Illustrated, Stalions said, “I’ve grown up my entire life with a vision to coach football at Michigan.” Stalions believed stealing signs was the first step to getting noticed by the Michigan coaching staff. Before covid, Stalions would steal opponents signals from the television (which is not illegal) and then share them with Michigan’s then-offensive coordinator, Josh Gattis. In 2021, Gattis won the Broyles award for the nation’s top assistant coach.
Stalions also claimed close relationships with linebacker coach Chris Partridge and special teams coordinator and safeties coach Jay Harbaugh. On November 17, Michigan fired Partridge for his involvement in the scheme. According to Yahoo Sports, Partridge is alleged to not have known about the scheme, but he is alleged to have destroyed evidence after it came to light. The Big Ten held on to their three-game suspension instead of two after finding out about Partridge’s involvement.
After the issuing of the suspension, Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy posted “Bet.” on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Several Michigan football players followed suit, posting “Bet.” as well, popularizing their “Michigan vs. Everybody.” phrase. Harbaugh’s suspension saw Michigan defeat Penn State 24-15, Maryland 31-24, and Ohio State 30-24. After winning the Big Ten conference title against Iowa, Harbaugh shouted, “bet,” and used the word again after Michigan was announced as the number one seed in the College Football Playoff.
“I think Harbaugh knew about it. He's always been a liar. Michigan, they always try to cover things up. They cheated,” Andrew Nate, 11, said when asked whether he thought Harbaugh knew about the scheme. “He should be suspended for the rest of his career. Or it should’ve been at least for the rest of the season.”
“I don’t think he knew about it,” Cole Caplea, 11, said when asked the same question. “He shouldn't have been suspended at all because he didn’t cheat.”
Whether Harbaugh knew about the scheme or not is unclear, but it is evident that Stalions and other staff members were at fault. The NCAA continues their investigation to determine whether more staff members were a part of or knew about the scheme before the initial evidence came to light.