- Big Ten conference sources reported Stalion’s whereabouts to Yahoo
- Stalion’s inactive social media and LinkedIn accounts were recently deleted
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Michigan football analyst Connor Stalions has been suspended as the NCAA investigates an alleged sign-stealing scheme.
Stalion was identified as a person of interest after multiple Big Ten sources provided statements to Yahoo Sports and reports from ESPN.
Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel announced Friday that Stalion has been suspended with pay.
‘He’s running the operation’ one coach told Yahoo. “I once said to Stallions, ‘We know the kind of stuff you do and it’s screwed up.’
The NCAA has since requested access to Stalion’s computer, ESPN reports.
Before joining Michigan as a low-level staffer, Stalion served as a military captain. Found content from social media and LinkedIn accounts became leads for the investigation.
The NCAA is investigating Michigan employee Connor Stalion for alleged sign theft
Before joining Michigan’s staff, Stalion served as a military captain after graduating in 2017
X and Instagram accounts — which were deleted as the investigation continued — confirmed Stalion’s 2017 graduation from the US Naval Academy and the work he does with linebackers.
Meanwhile, an inactive LinkedIn profile titled “Football Analyst – University of Michigan” contained lines that seemed to support his claim.
“I focus on using my experience to apply Marine Corps philosophies and tactics to the sport of football as it relates to strategies in staffing, recruiting, scouting, intelligence, planning and more,” the LinkedIn said page.
“I emphasize… identifying the adversary’s most likely course of action and the most dangerous course of action; identifying and exploiting critical vulnerabilities and points of gravity in the adversary’s reconnaissance process…’
ESPN reported that Stalion is under recruiting staff but spends time going over signals from other teams. While analyzing signs via film is permitted, attending games and relaying opposition signals via notes or videos is prohibited by the NCAA.
“We were told to be careful because they had a guy who could pick the plays,” a Big Ten head coach told Yahoo Sports. “It was too late in the week to change our signals, but another staff member did tell us about (Stalions).”
Stalion is listed as a recruitment employee and has now been suspended with pay
Other sources emphasize the level of violation this situation entails. One source described it as “worse than the Astros and the Patriots,” to ESPN.
‘Filming in a place where you shouldn’t be. It’s illegal. It’s too much of an advantage.’
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh denied the allegations Thursday. Harbaugh, who received a three-game suspension in August for recruiting violations, would also be punished if Stalion is found guilty.
“I am not aware of any member of our staff doing that or directing that action,” ESPN said. “Regardless of which program or organization I have led throughout my career, my instruction and awareness of how we scout opponents has always remained strictly within the rules.”