NCAA Announces Ruling on Connor Stalions' Appeal In Michigan Sign-Stealing Case

The NCAA announced Thursday it denied the appeal from former Michigan staffer Connor Stalions over his eight-year show-cause penalty.

The Division I Committee on Infractions considered Stalions' appeal and deemed the penalty was merited:

"We find that the record clearly supports that procedures were followed in relation to cases that originated with a confidential source and the hearing panel relied only on corroborating information when making its determinations," the committee said, per ESPN's Adam Rittenberg.

"Further, Mr. Stalions failed to demonstrate a link between any initial publicity about the allegations and a failure by the enforcement staff to follow their policies and procedures, especially in light of the necessity to limit potential game integrity impacts under the circumstances."

The NCAA first announced in August 2025 it found "overwhelming evidence" showing Michigan violated multiple rules, which included a sign-stealing scheme spearheaded by Stalions.

"During the 2021, 2022 and 2023 football seasons, Stalions directed and arranged for individuals to conduct off-campus, in-person scouting of Michigan's future regular-season opponents," the organization said.

Those people filmed the sideline signals of teams on Michigan's schedule or those the Wolverines might play in the postseason. Stalions would then try to decipher the signals and their corresponding play calls.

In addition to those charges, the NCAA said that Stalions, then-head coach Jim Harbaugh, then-assistant Sherrone Moore and staffer Denard Robinson "each failed to meet the membership's expectations of cooperation."

Stalions allegedly told an intern to "clear out" any communications or evidence surrounding the sign-stealing, and he confirmed he disposed of his cellphone in a pond.

Stalions resigned from his role with Michigan in 2023. His show-cause penalty doesn't necessarily preclude him from getting another job at a college program. The school would have to go before the NCAA and have his hiring approved, though.

With the committee's ruling Thursday, the book on Michigan's sign-stealing saga appears to be fully closed.