The governing body of college athletics has issued sanctions against Central Michigan University and four past employees due to the institution’s involvement in the activities of Connor Stalions, who engaged in advance scouting while associated with the University of Michigan.
According to the official summary of the case released by the NCAA, Stalions was verified to have been present on the sidelines during the Chippewas’ inaugural game of the 2023 season against Michigan State University. Stalions was observed wearing apparel associated with Central Michigan University due to his acquaintance with former quarterbacks coach Jake Kostner.
“Without the awareness of Central Michigan University, Jake Kostner, a former assistant football coach, maintained a prior relationship with Stalions,” the NCAA stated. “Kostner devised a plan to enable Stalions’ presence on Central Michigan’s sideline during its game against Michigan State University on September 1, 2023, with the intention of identifying and interpreting the signals used for play-calling.”
“Bypassing standard procedures for distributing items, Kostner requested coaching-issued gear from Nate Mason, the former coordinator of athletic equipment operations. Kostner did not specify the reason for the request and subsequently coordinated with Mike McGee, the former director of recruiting, to provide the official gear and sideline access to Stalions. To avoid detection, Kostner provided an alias for Stalions prior to kickoff. McGee was unaware of the identity of the intended recipient of the gear but knew it was for a friend of Kostner’s who possessed expertise in deciphering signals. During the game, Stalions positioned himself near McGee and other members of the football staff. Given his staff’s direct engagement in the arrangement, Jim McElwain, the former football head coach, bears responsibility for their infractions under the regulations pertaining to head coach accountability.”
As a consequence of the sanctions, Central Michigan University will be subject to a two-year probationary period and must pay a fine of $30,000. McElwain, Mason, and McGee have each been issued two-year show-cause penalties and suspensions. Kostner has been issued a four-year show-cause penalty, which includes suspensions during the initial two years of the penalty. The complete notice of allegations is accessible here.
McElwain announced at the conclusion of the 2024 season his intention to retire. The former coach of Florida and Colorado State universities dedicated six seasons to the Chippewas. He had consistently stated publicly that he was unaware of Stalions’ presence on the sideline. Kostner, an alumnus of Michigan University, had previously resigned from his position during the 2024 season.
Stalions orchestrated an extensive scheme of advance scouting to decode the signals utilized by Michigan’s opponents. While the practice of sign-stealing is widespread and not prohibited by NCAA regulations, in-person advance scouting is.
In August, the NCAA imposed a 10-year show-cause penalty on former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, in addition to a four-year show-cause penalty he had already received for recruitment violations. Harbaugh, currently the coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, was already unlikely to return to college football.
Current Michigan coach Sherrone Moore received a two-year show-cause penalty and recently withdrew his appeal of the sanctions. Stalions received an eight-year show-cause penalty, which prohibits him “from all athletically related activities” for the duration of the penalty.
