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USATSI

Former Michigan staffer Connor Stalions, who gained national attention last year as the figurehead in Michigan's alleged sign-stealing scandal, has joined Detroit Mumford High School's coaching staff as defensive coordinator, team coach William McMichael told the Detroit News. 

"I got the most hated man in college football right now, Connor Stalions," McMichael told the paper.

Stalions was suspended from his position as Michigan's recruiting analyst on Oct. 20, 2023, and later resigned that November amid an ongoing NCAA investigation into the program's alleged sign-stealing scheme. Stalions allegedly bought tickets to more than 30 games at 12 of the possible 13 Big Ten stadiums and four tickets to games featuring potential College Football Playoff teams with the supposed purpose of video recording sidelines and collecting information about opposing play-call signals.  

The NCAA's investigation into the saga is ongoing; however, Michigan recently received a draft of the NCAA's notice of allegations, in which current coach Sherrone Moore is accused of deleting more than 50 text message exchanges between himself and Stalions.  

Among the potential penalties for Moore are a show-cause and a one-game suspension since he would be considered a "repeat violator" due to a separate investigation, settled in April, that found Michigan committed recruiting violations during the COVID-19 dead period. Those potential penalties could change as the NOA is not yet final. 

Former coach Jim Harbaugh, now with the Chargers, was given a four-year show-cause penalty by the NCAA for those recruiting violations and is accused in the NOA draft of the sign-stealing investigation of committing Level I violations. Harbaugh was offered a chance to be the team's honorary captain for its Week 1 game against Fresno State but ultimately declined the offer.