UPDATE: Michigan has suspended Connor Stalions, the staff member currently under NCAA investigation. Stalions has been suspended with pay.
A new college football scandal involving the Michigan Wolverines dominated the airwaves yesterday, with the NCAA investigating the historic college football program for allegedly stealing signs and signals.
Naturally, one of the first questions on everyone’s mind was whether Jim Harbaugh was involved and, if so, to what extent. Remember, Harbaugh is already under NCAA investigation for previous infractions involving recruiting, practice habits, and more. But nothing like this.
Later on Thursday, we got our answers, learning that Harbaugh had nothing to do with the alleged infractions and was just as surprised as anyone else when the report surfaced.
However, we now know who the potential culprit was. According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel and Mark Schlabach, the leading suspect is actually a low-level staffer who happens to have a military background.
His name is Connor Stalions, a football analyst at Michigan and a retired captain in the US Marine Corps. The NCAA has gained access to the computer Stalions owns, with an investigation into his actions currently underway.
An unnamed source told ESPN that Michigan has used an “elaborate” scouting system to steal signals from their opponents since 2021.
While some have likened the situation to the Houston Astros and New England Patriots of the past, one source involved with the Big Ten claims this is much worse.
“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. 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.”
Big Ten source on the seriousness of Michigan’s sign-stealing allegations
Stalions was hired by Michigan as an off-field analyst in May of 2022, according to his LinkedIn account. Yet, he’s reportedly been involved with the Wolverines since 2015 as a volunteer assistant coach. Stalions retired from his position as a captain in the Marine Corps in 2022 and joined Michigan shortly thereafter.
There is no timetable for how long this investigation will take, or what the potential infractions may be.
Related: Where does Michigan land in Sportsnaut’s college football rankings?