Michigan FIRES recruiting analyst Connor Stalions who was accused of spying on other teams using video and stealing signs… as he ‘refused to cooperate with investigations’

The University of Michigan has fired recruiting analyst Connor Stalions as an investigation is underway into his alleged in-person scouting.

Stalions was previously suspended with pay as the investigation continued, but he has now been fired according to Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports.

Sources told Nicole Auerbach of The Athletic that Stalions ‘refused to cooperate with any internal or external investigations or discussions.’ 

The staffer has been seen on the sidelines of multiple Michigan Wolverines football games throughout this season.

Multiple schools in the Big Ten have said they found that Stalions had purchased tickets to at least one of their games in the past three seasons in his name. One of those schools has uncovered security camera footage of him recording what was happening on the field with his cell phone.

Stalions was initially suspended by Michigan with pay as the NCAA began the investigation 

NCAA rules do not directly ban the stealing of signs, but there are rules against using electronic equipment to record an opponent´s signals. One NCAA bylaw also bans ‘off-campus, in-person scouting of future opponents (in the same season).’ 

There are also rules against unsportsmanlike or unethical activities by coaches, and head coaches are generally considered to be responsible for violations that occur under their watch. 

‘[Stalions] spearheads the operation,’ a coach told Yahoo in October. ‘I once told (Stalions), “We know what kind of s–t you are doing and it’s f**ked up.”‘

Just days ago, footage appeared of someone appearing to match images of Stalions standing on the sideline of a game between Michigan State and Central Michigan. The person believed to be Stalions was seen wearing a goatee, sunglasses, and Central Michigan apparel. 

That led to CMU football coach Jim McElwain addressing the issue, saying, ‘Our people are doing everything they can to get to the bottom of it. We’re unaware, totally unaware of it. 

‘I certainly don’t condone it in any way, shape, or form. And I do know that his name was on none of the passes that were let out.’

Stalions allegedly refused to cooperate with any internal or external investigations or talks 

X and Instagram accounts–that were deleted as the investigation unfolded– confirmed Stalions’ graduation from the US Naval Academy in 2017 and the work he does with linebackers.

Meanwhile an inactive LinkedIn profile, with the title ‘football analyst – University of Michigan’, contained lines that trailed towards his allegation. 

‘I focus on using my experience to employ Marine Corps philosophies and tactics into the sport of football regarding strategies in staffing, recruiting, scouting, intelligence, planning and more,’ the LinkedIn page read. 

‘I emphasize … identifying the opponent’s most likely course of action and most dangerous course of action; identifying and exploiting critical vulnerabilities and centers of gravity in the opponent scouting process…’

Before joining the Michigan staff, Stalions worked as a military captain after graduating in 2017

Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh denied the allegations towards Stalions around the time they were revealed in mid-October.

‘I have no awareness of anyone on our staff having done that or having directed that action,’ Harbaugh told ESPN. 

‘No matter what program or organization that I have led throughout my career, my instructions and awareness of how we scout opponents have always been firmly within the rules.’

Harbaugh served a three-game, university-imposed suspension earlier this season for an unrelated and still unresolved NCAA violations case tied to recruiting.