Michigan staffer suspended amidst NCAA questions
Oct 20, 2023, 03:04 PM ET Michigan football analyst Connor Stalions has actually been suspended as the NCAA investigates a supposed sign-stealing operation by the Wolverines.Athletic director Warde Manuel announced Stalions ‘suspension with pay on Friday, one day after the analyst was identified as an individual of interest in the investigation into whether No. 2-ranked Michigan violated an NCAA rule by scouting future challengers personally at games, sources told ESPN. The NCAA prohibited such searching in 1994. A source informed ESPN that the Wolverines have used an”sophisticated”scouting system to steal signals from future challengers considering that at least 2021. With the continuous NCAA examination into Michigan recruiting and coach Jim Harbaugh possibly facing additional charges coming from that, this different investigation could significantly increase his direct exposure to an extra suspension.Harbaugh on Thursday rejected any understanding of the supposed scheme to steal opponents’ signals through hunting journeys to out-of-town games. He stated he would totally comply in any examinations and does not”condone or endure anyone doing anything unlawful or against NCAA rules.” Editor’s Picks 1 Related” I do not have any knowledge or details regarding the University of Michigan football program unlawfully stealing signals, nor have I directed any employee or others to take part in an off-campus searching project,” Harbaugh said in the statement.Harbaugh served a three-game suspension to start this season related to NCAA charges of failure to cooperate and head-coach obligation over alleged recruiting infractions throughout the COVID-19 dead duration. An infraction by a member of his training staff could activate another charge of head-coach duty, possibly a Level I violation.Sources said the NCAA enforcement staff’s level of interest in Stalions was so significant that it sought access to his computer as part of its investigation.Attempts by ESPN on Thursday to reach Stalions, a retired captain in the U.S. Marine Corps, were not successful.
Stalions, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, was worked with as an off-field analyst at Michigan in May 2022, according to a bio on his LinkedIn account. He is making$55,000 per year.Michigan and the Big 10 were told by the NCAA of the investigation Wednesday, and the conference said it had alerted the Wolverines’ future opponents, consisting of Michigan State, which hosts Michigan in East Lansing on Saturday.Information from ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Mark Schlabach and Adam Rittenberg was utilized in this report.