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Michigan recruiting analyst Connor Stalions resigns after 'refusing to cooperate with investigations' into spying claims

Stalions was previously placed on paid leave on October 20, 2023, while the investigation was ongoing

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN: Recruitment analyst Connor Stalions of the University of Michigan has resigned amid an investigation into his purported in-person scouting, according to a statement from the university.

Stalions was previously placed on paid leave on October 20, 2023, while the investigation was ongoing. He had reportedly been sacked earlier on Friday night, according to a number of sources and reports.

Nevertheless, the university released a statement late on Friday night, revealing that Connor Stalions had resigned from his position within Michigan Athletics earlier in the day. No further comments regarding this employee matter are available at this time.

Later on Friday night, Stalions provided a statement to The Athletic, expressing his sentiments, "I love the University of Michigan and its football program. And I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I've had to work with the incredible student-athletes, coach Harbaugh and the other coaches that have been a part of the Michigan football family during my tenure."

“I do not want to be a distraction from what I hope to be a championship run for the team, and I will continue to cheer them on.” he added.

In reference to the initial rumors that he had been fired, Stalions' lawyer, Brad Beckworth, stated that his client was “thankful that the University corrected that false narrative tonight.”

“As he informed the school earlier today, Connor chose to resign because recent stories regarding his time with the University of Michigan have created a distraction for the team,” Beckworth stated. 

“He hopes his resignation will help the team and coaching staff focus on tomorrow's game and the remainder of the season," he added.

Beckworth further stated, "Connor also wants to make it clear that, to his knowledge, neither Coach Harbaugh nor any other coach or staff member, told anyone to break any rules or were aware of improper conduct regarding the recent allegations of advanced scouting.”

No Smoke Without Fire

According to sources who informed Nicole Auerbach of The Athletic, Stalions allegedly “refused to cooperate with any internal or external investigations or talks.”

During the season, the staff member was observed on the sidelines at multiple Michigan Wolverines football games.

Multiple Big Ten universities have reported that they found evidence indicating that Stalions used his name to acquire tickets for at least one of their games during the past three seasons.

Security camera footage at one of those schools captured him using his cell phone to record the events on the field.

NCAA regulations forbid the use of technological devices to record an opponent's signals, but they do not explicitly prohibit the act of taking signs.

Another NCAA regulation restricts "off-campus, in-person scouting of future opponents (during the same season)."

Coaches are also forbidden from partaking in dishonest or unethical behavior, and head coaches are commonly held responsible for any transgressions that occur under their supervision.

One Big Ten school coach mentioned in an interview with Yahoo Sports in October,​“He (Stallions) spearheads the operation,” one Big Ten school coach told Yahoo Sports in an interview in October. “I once told (Stalions), ‘We know what kind of sh** you are doing and it’s f***** up.’”

A few days ago, video surfaced showing someone who seemed to match pictures of Stalions cheering on Michigan State against Central Michigan from the sidelines. The individual thought to be Stalions was observed with a beard, sunglasses, and clothing from Central Michigan.

Central Michigan University football coach Jim McElwain addressed 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.”

What gave it away?

The deletion of X and Instagram profiles during the course of the investigation attested to Stalions' 2017 US Naval Academy graduation and his work with linebackers.

Lines that led to his accusation were found on an inactive LinkedIn profile under the heading "football analyst - University of Michigan."

“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…”

The claims made against the Stalions were refuted by Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh at the time of their revelation in mid-October.

Harbaugh told ESPN, “I have no awareness of anyone on our staff having done that or having directed that action,”

“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.”

Earlier in the season, Harbaugh was suspended by the university for three games due to a separate NCAA breaches case involving recruiting that is still pending.