As Michigan’s Connor Stalions saga wears on, some Big Ten foes are still simmering

As the NCAA continues to investigate Michigan’s role in an alleged sign-stealing operation run by former staffer Connor Stalions, no Big Ten coaches or administrators suggest the Wolverines’ national title is tainted or that their victories lack validity. But that doesn’t mean they are not angry, either.

The Athletic reached out to head coaches and assistants from at least five different Big Ten football programs spanning the former East and West Divisions for their thoughts on former Stalions and the team’s advance scouting scandal. In exchange for their candor, the coaches were given anonymity. None of the coaches volunteered to speak on the record, and none were from archrival Ohio State.

“I think their sign-stealing operation was a big deal,” said one assistant coach whose squad was impacted. “It cut at the integrity of the game. I know some people say it wasn’t a big advantage, but it was.

“On game day, as a coordinator, I don’t want to hear from anyone who doesn’t have valuable information pertaining to the game. Connor was talking directly to the coordinators. That tells you what he had to say was important. As far as Harbaugh is concerned, not a single head coach in the country would allow a ‘recruiting’ staff member to be talking to his coordinators on game day. Somehow, Connor was allowed to.”

Stalions’ work was considered pivotal enough to Michigan’s operation that former coach Jim Harbaugh awarded him a game ball following a 27-14 win at Iowa on Oct. 1, 2022. Stalions revealed the decorated ball to cameras in the Netflix documentary “Sign Stealer,” which was released Tuesday.

“The funny thing (Harbaugh) said after I got the game ball is, ‘Don’t get the big head, Connor,’” Stalions recalled in the documentary. “Getting this ball is a pretty cool moment in my life of just being acknowledged as doing a good job at what I do and helping Michigan win. I’ll remember it forever.”

The game ball was long rumored in Iowa City, especially as questions arose about Stalions. The documentary provided validation.

“I just heard about (the game ball footage in the documentary) maybe an hour ago, something like that, and got an email,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said Tuesday in a news conference. “It’s so far out of mind — it’s history right now. Whatever happens, happens. The appropriate parties will deal with it.”

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The 2022 game wasn’t the only time the spying scandal allegedly involved Iowa. Roughly four hours before the 2021 Big Ten championship game, a Big Ten coach called an Iowa staffer and issued a warning.

“Michigan has got all of your signals and calls,” the coach told the Iowa staffer. “I wished I’d gotten to you earlier.” That coach confirmed the context of that conversation to The Athletic. By then it was too late for Iowa to change its signals. Michigan dominated in every phase, blowing out the Hawkeyes 42-3 in Indianapolis.

This week, Michigan received a notice of allegations from the NCAA regarding Stalions and the football program’s alleged sign-stealing scheme. Stalions is accused of collecting film of opposing teams’ signals taken by people attending games around the country, which is against NCAA rules. Programs are allowed to review television footage or all-22 video but cannot conduct in-person advance scouting. In photos and game broadcasts, Stalions can be seen standing by the Michigan coordinators interpreting opponents’ signals during games (in-game deciphering of signals is not against NCAA rules).

Connor Stalions, right, was fired by Michigan for his part in a sign-stealing scheme (USA Today).

Neither Ferentz nor any other coaches suggest Stalions’ actions detract from Michigan’s victories. Last December, Michigan shut out Iowa 26-0 to claim its third consecutive Big Ten title, and that took place after Stalions’ resignation and after the Wolverines kept winning through a three-game suspension for Harbaugh imposed by the Big Ten. But throughout the conference, the vibe is clear: Coaches are upset that no controlling agency has held Michigan accountable.

“Based on the public info it’s surprising that there has been nothing adding to their penalty,” a second Big Ten assistant coach said. “I do believe there will be but the NCAA loses credibility when nothing is done or said and everyone is left wondering. Right now, the punishment does not fit the crime — there are more folks involved.”

There is nuance to Stalions’ actions, which a head coach explained. Most programs take television copies and game video and pair it with hand signals from the bench. Everyone wants an edge, he said, but scouting a future opponent in-person crosses the line. But, he added, schools also need to alter their signals more regularly, and teams can scout on the road in the NFL and high school.

Football espionage stories date to the game’s beginnings. According to one legend, former Northwestern assistant coach (and eventual New York Yankees owner) George Steinbrenner left for Purdue in 1956 and hired students in married student housing to watch the Wildcats’ practice. Northwestern coach Ara Parseghian (later of Notre Dame fame) found out and moved his main squad and left the junior varsity to practice in front of Purdue’s spies. Northwestern won 14-0.

Perhaps one day the Stalions story might join others in the somewhat harmless wing of conference lore and tall tales. But for now, there’s bitterness associated with the situation and a belief Michigan will receive preferential treatment.

“By nature, college football coaches don’t waste time on things that don’t have value,” the first assistant coach said. “The amount of time they spent on it tells you all you need to know.”

A different head coach just offered a verbal shrug.

“I guess it doesn’t matter now,” the coach said.

(Top photo: USA Today)