REPORT: Michigan Wolverines Fire Connor Stalions Amid Sign-Stealing Scandal

The Michigan Wolverines have reportedly fired the alleged perpetrator of their sign-stealing scandal, Connor Stalions
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According to a report from Yahoo Sports reporter Dan Wetzel, the Michigan Wolverines fired analyst Connor Stalions amid their alleged elaborate sign-stealing scandal on Friday.

His firing comes just weeks after the NCAA opened an investigation into the Michigan program.

Stalions, who had been suspended without pay during the investigation, was purportedly the mastermind behind the scheme.

That said, the NCAA has not presented Michigan with a notice of allegations or levied any penalties against the program as of yet. Michigan, however, is reportedly fully cooperating with the investigation.

Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh watches from the sideline beside off-field analyst Connor Stalions, right, during the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium
Jim Harbaugh and Connor Stalions on the sidelines vs. Ohio State in 2022 :: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK

Last week, details were revealed by ESPN about the depths of Stalions' involvement in the scandal, with the reports indicating that Stalions had bought tickets to over 30 games at 11 different Big Ten stadiums over the past three seasons.

And he did it using a credit card registered to his own name. 

Since the investigation began, videos and photos have emerged of Stalions apparently helping Michigan assistants and coordinators decipher signals of opposing teams, including the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2022. 

The Wolverines, of course, went on to win that game 45-23, and would go on to win the Big Ten title and go to the College Football Playoff. 

Ohio State was also reportedly one of several teams that informed TCU of the Wolverines' scheme, allowing the Horned Frogs to create fake signals. Ultimately, the Horned Frogs would take down Michigan in the semi-finals, and go on to the national title game. 

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh has denied any knowledge of the scandal since the beginning, releasing a statement to that effect early on in the investigation.

"I do not have any knowledge or information regarding the University of Michigan football program illegally stealing signals, nor have I directed any staff member or others to participate in an off-campus scouting assignment," Harbaugh said in the statement.


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Matt Galatzan
MATT GALATZAN

Matt Galatzan is the Publisher of LonghornsCountry.com, AllAggies.com, and the Managing Editor of BuckeyesNow.com and TheGroveReport.com He is also the Editor-In-Chief of RamDigest.com and TexansDaily.com. Galatzan graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry under Mike Fisher at DallasBasketball.com in 2014, which at the time was part of the 247Sports network. He also spent two years covering the SMU Mustangs for PonyStampede.com on the 247Sports network. When DallasBasketball.com and CowboysCountry.com moved over to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, Galatzan followed suit, eventually being taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of LonghornsCountry.com and AllAggies.com a year later. Through the years, Galatzan has conducted a handful of high-profile one-on-one interviews to add to his resume — in both writing and podcasting. Some of his biggest interviews have been with Mavs owner Mark Cuban, former Longhorns players Dan Neil and Phil Dawson, and many other recruits, and current/former players for each of the teams he has covered. Galatzan is also a full-time employee in the digital media department for Audacy and KRLD FM's 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, which is the official radio home of the Dallas Cowboys. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels, including Twitter on @MattGalatzan For any inquiries, please email matt.galatzan@gmail.com