Connor Stalions was already heavily in the news and now he is back once again as part of yet another investigation.
Central Michigan is investigating whether suspended Michigan staffer Connor Stalions was on their sideline during their September 1st game at Michigan State. Footage and screenshots of a person who looks similar to Stalions began circulating this week.
“We became aware of these photos late yesterday and we are in the process of determining the facts surrounding them,” CMU athletic director Amy Folan said in a statement provided to The Athletic. “As this process is ongoing, we have no further comment at this time.”
The Central Michigan staff has several former Michigan staffers, including head coach Jim McElwain, defensive backs coach Michael Zordich, and quarterbacks coach Jake Kostner, all of whom worked at Michigan while Stalions volunteered for the program.
The Chippewas were in action on Tuesday night, picking up a 37-31 win over Northern Illinois to move to 5-4 on the season. Following the game, Central Michigan coach Jim McElwain addressed the investigation surrounding the “sign-stealer guy.”
“We obviously are aware of a picture floating around with the sign-stealer guy,” McElwain said Tuesday night after CMU’s game against Northern Illinois. “Our people are doing everything they can to get to the bottom of it. We’re totally unaware of it. I certainly don’t condone it in any way, shape or form. I do know his name was on none of the passes that were let out. We keep tracing it back and tracing it back and try to figure it out. It’s in good hands with our people. Again, there’s no place in football for that.”
This is the first known instance of a game that could place Stalions in a position to steal signs and while doing it from the sidelines.
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Michigan played Michigan State on Oct. 21.
The guy in the video appears to have a pass that reads “VB” for visiting bench. He also was wearing Central Michigan apparel that appeared to be team-issued. And to top it all off, many believe those are spy cam glasses that he’s wearing, based on the blue light that appears to be reflecting off of them.
Stalions has suddenly found himself at the center of a massive investigation into illegal sign-stealing. He is alleged to have purchased tickets and maintained a network of staffers and contractors to electronically record the sidelines of future Michigan opponents to steal signals.
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh has denied knowledge of the operation and will cooperate with the NCAA investigation.
