Connor Stalions is officially done at Michigan.
According to a statement from the university, Connor Stalions resigned his position with Michigan on Friday afternoon. The statement came after Yahoo Sports’ Dan Wetzel and numerous other media members reported that Michigan fired Stalions.
The University of Michigan has fired recruiting analyst Connor Stalions, a source tells Yahoo Sports. He was previously suspended with pay during the NCAA investigation into in-person scouting.
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) November 3, 2023
Stalions’ attorney, Brad Beckworth, told The Athletic that reports of Stalions being fired were inaccurate. Beckworth said in a statement that Stalions “chose to resign because recent stories regarding his time with the University of Michigan have created a distraction for the team.” Beckworth also said Stalions “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.”
Connor Stalions and his attorney have provided statements to The Athletic. https://t.co/jVsOruIILV pic.twitter.com/OKXD1LzscJ
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) November 4, 2023
Stalions said in a statement of his own that he is “extremely grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to work with the incredible student athletes, coach Harbaugh and the other coaches that have been a part of the Michigan football family during my tenure.”
https://t.co/jVsOruIILV pic.twitter.com/w6BRkhXLkG
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) November 4, 2023
Stalions had been suspended with pay by Michigan since Oct. 20, when he was publicly identified as the leader of Michigan’s alleged sign-stealing operation. Just one day before that, the Big Ten confirmed in a statement that the NCAA had launched an investigation into the Michigan football program.
That investigation centers around alleged in-person scouting and use of electronic technology to steal opponents’ signals, both of which are prohibited by the NCAA. According to reports over the past two weeks, Stalions purchased tickets to more than 35 games at at least 17 different schools over the past three years, including games involving at least 12 of the Big Ten’s other 13 teams. Images also emerged this week that appeared to show Stalions on the sideline of Central Michigan’s season opener against Michigan State.
Stalions has reportedly refused to cooperate with the NCAA’s investigation, per The Athletic’s Nicole Auerbach.
Connor Stalions refused to cooperate with any internal or external investigations or discussions, source said. https://t.co/NuvOehnRb3
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) November 3, 2023
Stalions’ resignation comes on the same day that Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti reportedly met with Michigan officials, including university president Santa Ono, while in Ann Arbor for the Big Ten field hockey tournament. While neither the Big Ten nor NCAA has issued punishment against Michigan yet, Big Ten coaches and athletic directors both reportedly urged Pettiti to take action against the Wolverines during conference calls with the commissioner this week.
It is considered unlikely that the NCAA will conclude its investigation into Michigan before the end of this season, but the Big Ten could take its own action against the Wolverines, though any punishment greater than a $10,000 fine or a two-game suspension would require the approval of the Big Ten’s Joint Group Executive Committee.
