Connor Stalions has publicly addressed the fallout from the sign-stealing scandal that led to his resignation as a football analyst at the University of Michigan. His account is part of Netflix’s “Untold: Sign Stealer,” which also features insights from local sports reporters Tony Paul and Isaiah Hole.
Stalions stepped down on November 3, 2023, following the NCAA’s investigation into allegations of an illegal sign-stealing operation. Evidence suggested that he had purchased tickets to various opponents’ games for several associates, and he reportedly disguised himself while attending a game at Central Michigan University.
After months of silence, Stalions is now sharing his side of the story. “Finally, you’re starting to actually understand: Who is he? What’s his motivation? What’s his voice sound like?” remarked Hole, who covers the Wolverines for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. “That’s something the college football world hasn’t been able to really know or see.”
While the NCAA does not explicitly prohibit sign stealing, the manner in which it is executed can lead to penalties for teams. “Michigan hired him to be the sign stealer, and he stole signs,” Hole stated. “It was more so about the method of which he went about it, which he contends was a grey area.”
Paul, from The Detroit News, emphasized the unusual extent of Stalions’ actions. “Just the extreme length that he went to that, I think, is what caught everyone’s attention,” he said, noting that although Stalions has not openly admitted to wrongdoing, substantial evidence suggests his involvement.
Hole revealed that he connected with Stalions shortly after the scandal broke. “I was there for him as a friend, first and foremost, because he didn’t have anybody,” he shared, explaining that those he typically confided in were at Schembechler Hall, and he could not communicate with them.
A point of contention remains whether former Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh was aware of the alleged sign-stealing scheme. “No, I don’t think Jim Harbaugh knew,” Hole asserted. “My question more so is: Why would he know? If he hires a sign stealer and the sign stealer steals signs, why would you know how he’s going about it? You’re not micromanaging.”
Paul added, “Whether Jim knew that he was going to the lengths he did, I don’t know, but the NCAA also states that it doesn’t matter if he knew directly. As the head coach, you are in charge of the institution, whether you were aware of what was transpiring or not, which is where the NCAA is focusing its scrutiny on Michigan.”
The NCAA’s investigation into the matter is still in progress.