The Michigan Wolverines football program has been surrounded with controversy as of late regarding a sign-stealing investigation that is centered around recruiting analyst Connor Stalions.
And the program made an announcement regarding Stalions on Friday night.
Michigan previously decided to suspend Stalions last month following the backlash of this investigation. But on Friday, Michigan took things even further, relieving him of his duties according to Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports.
The University of Michigan has fired recruiting analyst Connor Stalions, a source tells Yahoo Sports. He was previously suspended with pay during the NCAA investigation into in-person scouting.
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) November 3, 2023
For those unaware of the Michigan investigation, Stalions is accused of orchestrating a sign-stealing scheme where he would film the sidelines at games not involving the Wolverines.
Stallions is even being accused of dressing in Central Michigan gear on the sidelines of one of their games to scout a Big Ten opponent of Michigan.
This is a direct violation of NCAA rules, as in-person scouting of upcoming opponents has been outlawed by the NCAA since 1994.
Considering all of the heat Michigan has gotten for this, college football fans largely rejoiced after hearing this news.
But I have been told for the last 2 weeks solid that nothing he allegedly did was illegal or even wrong. I was under the assumption we were all just soft as charmin…why would Michigan fire the sign stealer?
Maybe Michigan cheated! https://t.co/3B05zhBnNV— Matt Finkes (@MattFinkes) November 3, 2023
Greatest spy in cfb history. Salute 🐐 pic.twitter.com/t2OmQGMlMA https://t.co/MOSzaKr7au
— AJ King (@allday_ajking) November 3, 2023
Just the beginning…. https://t.co/VwavdDpkFf
— Danny Kanell (@dannykanell) November 3, 2023
Time for this dude to sing https://t.co/RXULTfkZsA
— Mike Farrell (@mfarrellsports) November 3, 2023
Michigan fans, meanwhile, are hoping that the firing of Stalions puts an end to this entire scandal.
Welp problem solved on to Purdue this investigation is over https://t.co/SJI3kKZyXM pic.twitter.com/GMqxTjowx4
— Mark (@MarktheNomad) November 3, 2023
Goodnight, sweet prince.
Connor Stalions acted alone and has been dismissed.
Case closed. Time to move forward. https://t.co/Ym9lt8aq8s
— ☨ Wolverine Devotee 🌹 30-24, 45-23, 42-27 〽️ (@UMichWD) November 3, 2023
It’s obviously a good first step for Michigan to part ways with Stalions to finally put an end to that relationship.
However, if Stalions is indeed guilty of what he is being accused of, then there are almost certainly far harsher repercussions coming to the Michigan football program at some point.