Connor Stallions, a recruiting analyst, was fired by the University of Michigan on Friday. The transfer occurs two weeks after he became the focal point of an NCAA probe about in-person scouting. He had earlier experienced a paid suspension. The NCAA believes that Stallions has a sophisticated system in place to personally scout prospective and current Wolverines opponents in an attempt to intercept their play signals.
Many colleges have accused Stalions of buying tickets in his name for games against teams who would play Michigan in the future and giving them to friends and acquaintances over the past few years. Those individuals were captured on camera putting up their cellphones during games, most likely to capture the assistant coaches’ cues. NCAA regulations prohibit in-person reconnaissance and the use of recording devices, but sign-stealing is not one of them.
Stallion was a Marine Captain before he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy. Before he joined the team in 2021 as a recruiting analyst, he was a devoted Wolverines fan and grew up in the Metro Detroit area. He made a name for himself right away as someone who could read the indications of the opposition. He can be seen in several films with head coach Jim Harbaugh and Michigan coordinators.
As the NCAA inquiry has been underway for more than two weeks, there has been no indication that investigators have discovered any evidence indicating any other Michigan coaching staff member was aware that Stalions was using in-person scouting to help him steal signs.
