An NCAA appeals committee denied ex-Michigan staffer Connor Stalions’ appeal of an eight-year show-cause penalty he received for his part in the Wolverines’ sign-stealing scandal in 2023.
Stalions became one of college football’s most infamous figures once his role in the explosive saga was revealed.
Fans Mock Connor Stalions After Michigan Scheduling Announcement
A 2025 CBS report revealed that the Central Michigan Chippewas’ coaches helped the Stalions scout play calls from their sideline during a game against the Michigan State Spartans. The report detailed how a Central Michigan coach arranged for Stalions to receive sideline credentials and CMU-issued gear, with then-head coach Jim McElwain believed to have been aware of and approved the arrangement.
On Wednesday, when the Wolverines revealed two scheduled games against the Chippewas at Michigan Stadium in 2028 and 2031, college football fans on X reignited the Stalions’ debacle:
‘Cade Clutch’ termed the Wolverines’ game against the Chippewas payment for their role in the Stalions saga. “This is just them paying CMU for letting Stalions on the sideline,” An account named ‘Cade Clutch wrote.
This is just them paying CMU for letting Stallions on the sideline https://t.co/Sgxxi1alme
— ★ (@CadeClutch) August 13, 2026
Podcast host Jake Hatch had a funny moniker for the clash: “The Connor Stalions Memorial Bowl,” Hatch posted.
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One user on X asked a cheeky question about Stalions’ availability for the clash and said, “Will Connor Stalions be there as well?”
On3’s Brett McMurphy joined the fans making fun of Stalions’ connection to Central Michigan. “Michigan announces home games vs. Central Michigan in 2028 & 2031. No word if Connor Stalions will participate in pre-game coin flip.”
Michigan announces home games vs. Central Michigan in 2028 & 2031. No word if Connor Stallions will participate in pre-game coin flip
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) August 13, 2026
‘Dale Disill’ further mocked the former Michigan staffer, who worked under coach Jim Harbaugh during his tenure at the helm of the Wolverines.
“That’s “American Hero Connor Stalions” to you,” Disill posted.
One Michigan fan was tickled that McMurphy mocked Stalions’ situation while announcing the news of the fixture. “Ngl kinda crazy that he said that,” the fan wrote.
Ngl kinda crazy that he said that. https://t.co/NboRb9Yhsn
— Michigander (@Michigander1212) August 13, 2026
McElwain and three of his former staff members were all handed stiff penalties by the NCAA last year for their part in the Stalions fiasco. The former Central Michigan head coach received a two-year show-cause penalty and was also restricted from all football coaching duties in year one. The Chippewas were placed on two years of probation and were handed a $30,000 fine and 1% of their football budget.
Stalions’ eight-year show-cause penalty restricts the former analyst from being hired by an NCAA member since he will be subject to a one-year suspension should he be hired before 2033. After leaving Ann Arbor, Stalions worked as a defensive coordinator at Detroit Mumford High School and an offensive coordinator at Belleville High School.
