Connor Stalions

Connor Stalions
Belleville High School
Position:Offensive coordinator
Personal information
Born: (1995-07-27) July 27, 1995
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Career information
High school:Lake Orion High School
College:United States Naval Academy
Career history
As a coach:

Connor Patrick Stalions is an American football coach who recently served as the Offensive Coordinator at Belleville High School, coaching the nationally ranked number one recruit in the country, Bryce Underwood.[1] Stalions is best known for his role in the University of Michigan football sign-stealing scandal, which came to light during the 2023 college football season.[2]

After the allegations came to surface, Stalions resigned as a staff member for Michigan, as the team went on to win the 2023 national championship. Stalions starred in Netflix's Sign Stealer documentary that premiered on August 27, 2024.[3]

Early life and education

Born in Houston, Texas, on July 27, 1995, Stalions is the son of Michigan alumni Brock and Kelly Stalions. Stalions grew up in Lake Orion, Michigan and graduated from Lake Orion High School in 2013, where he played football and basketball, winning the 2010 MHSAA state championship in football as a player.

Stalions graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2017, where he served as a student-coach for Ken Niumatalolo and the Navy Midshipmen football program.[4]

Marine Corps career

Stalions served five years in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2017-2022 as a Logistics Officer, stationed in Camp Pendleton, CA. He reached the rank of Captain and received an Honorable Discharge in 2022 as he transitioned to the University of Michigan football program in an official role.[5]

Coaching career

University of Michigan

Stalions was employed by the Michigan football program as a Defensive Analyst from May 2022 to October 2023. Stalions had a significant role in the recruiting department and assisting the defensive staff.[6] In Stalions' final three years with Michigan including his volunteer time with the program, Michigan won three consecutive Big Ten Championships and the 2023 National Championship.

Role in advanced scouting scandal

Main article: University of Michigan football sign-stealing scandal

The NCAA publicly announced a mid-season investigation into Stalions and the Michigan football program in October 2023, which many referred to as a "sign stealing" scandal (though "sign stealing" is permitted by the NCAA).[7] Rather, Stalions was accused of sending people to opponents' games to record signs; the NCAA investigation is thus more accurately believed to focus on "advanced in-person scouting."[8] The NCAA banned advanced scouting in 1994 as a "cost-cutting measure designed to promote equity for programs that could not afford to send scouts;"[9] though a solid majority of schools voted to overturn the ban in 2013, the motion failed to reach the required 62.5% supermajority.[10]

Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti suspended Michigan Head Coach Jim Harbaugh while the team was in mid-flight to State College for a game against Penn State,[11] stating that the suspension was a punishment of the university for violating a "sportsmanship policy."[12] Offensive Coordinator Sherrone Moore served as head coach for that and two subsequent games while Harbaugh served the suspension. With opponents on notice of the allegations, Michigan won its next 8 games (including #4 Alabama, #7 Ohio State, #10 Penn State and #17 Iowa) and the National Championship, defeating the #2 Washington Huskies 34-13.[13]

The NCAA initially contacted Stalions following the 2023-24 season and interviewed him in the spring of 2024. No public information has been released regarding which specific bylaw(s) the NCAA alleges Stalions violated. Bylaw 11.6.1 prevents "advanced in-person scouting of a future opponent in the same season" by institutional staff members.[14]

Resignation from the University of Michigan

On November 3, 2023, Stalions resigned from the University of Michigan's staff.[15] Stalions's attorney told media that neither Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh nor others on the team were aware of any "improper conduct."[16]

High School Coaching Career

Mumford Defensive Coordinator

Stalions volunteered for Detroit Mumford High School as the defensive coordinator in 2024.[17] Prior to Stalions arriving at Mumford, the team had won one game in three seasons. The program had only a total 18 players in the program and amounted to a 1-8 record in the 2024 regular season.

Belleville Offensive Coordinator

Following the 2024 regular season, Belleville High School hired Stalions as the team's Offensive Coordinator for the playoffs. The Tigers won their first playoff game with Stalions calling plays defeating Ann Arbor Pioneer 68-0.[18] Belleville then went on to defeat the #4 ranked team in the state Saline 42-7 to win the District Championship, prior to being knocked out by the #1 ranked team Detroit Catholic Central in the Regional Championship.[19] Following the conclusion of the season, both Elijah Dotson and Bryce Underwood flipped their commitments from Pittsburgh and LSU respectively to the University of Michigan, where their Offensive Coordinator Connor Stalions served as a Defensive Analyst.[20]

References

  1. ^ "Connor Stalions now coaching Michigan flip candidate Bryce Underwood, star of 2025 recruiting cycle". 247Sports. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  2. ^ "Connor Stalions becomes acting coach at Detroit high school after head coach suffers mild stroke". September 6, 2024.
  3. ^ "Watch Untold: Sign Stealer | Netflix Official Site". www.netflix.com. Archived from the original on December 15, 2024. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  4. ^ Bernstein, Harrison (January 29, 2022). "Connor Stalions - Soldiers To Sidelines Coach of the Month". Soldiers To Sidelines. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  5. ^ "Watch Untold: Sign Stealer | Netflix Official Site". www.netflix.com. Archived from the original on December 15, 2024. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  6. ^ Holland, E. J. (November 24, 2022). "Five unsung recruiting heroes Michigan fans should be thankful for". On3. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  7. ^ https://www.yalejreg.com/nc/sign-stealing-and-the-antitrust-laws/
  8. ^ https://www.si.com/college-football/whats-at-stake-in-michigans-ncaa-committee-on-infractions-hearing-over-connor-stalions
  9. ^ https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4982276/2023/10/20/michigan-sign-stealing-ncaa-rules-explained/
  10. ^ https://www.ncaa.org/news/2013/6/21/division-i-scouting-ban-upheld.aspx#:~:text=The%20prohibition%20on%20live%20scouting,reconsideration%20at%20a%20later%20time.
  11. ^ "Big Ten bans Harbaugh from sideline amid probe". ESPN.com. November 10, 2023. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  12. ^ https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/38864724/sources-big-ten-ban-michigan-jim-harbaugh-field
  13. ^ "Wolverines seal their 'perfect story' with CFP title". ESPN.com. January 9, 2024. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  14. ^ "Watch Untold: Sign Stealer | Netflix Official Site". www.netflix.com. Archived from the original on December 15, 2024. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  15. ^ Rittenberg, Adam (November 3, 2023). "Michigan football analyst Connor Stalions resigns amid investigation". ESPN. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
  16. ^ The Athletic (November 3, 2023). "Michigan's Connor Stallons resigns, says neither Harbaugh nor team 'were aware of improper conduct'". The New York Times. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  17. ^ "Detroit Mumford High School athletic director refutes report that Connor Stalions is acting head football coach". High School On SI. September 6, 2024. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  18. ^ Zuke, Ryan (November 2, 2024). "Belleville 5-star QB throws 6 TDs in playoff opener, remains mum on recruitment". mlive. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  19. ^ Dunlap, Keith (November 9, 2024). "Bryce Underwood leads Belleville to 42-7 rout of Saline in D1 district finals". mlive. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  20. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Connor Stalions breaks down what makes Bryce Underwood and Elijah Dotson so special". WolverinesWire. December 5, 2024. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
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