Report: Michigan's Stalions wore disguise on sideline for MSU vs. CMU

Former Michigan staff member Connor Stalions was on the sidelines wearing a disguise for Michigan State's season opener against Central Michigan in 2023, according to a draft of the NCAA's notice of allegations obtained by Dan Murphy and Pete Thamel of ESPN.

The draft doesn't state how Stalions received a press pass to be on the Chippewas' sideline for the contest, Thamel and Murphy added.

Central Michigan launched an investigation in late October after photos of an individual resembling Stalions on the sidelines emerged.

Stalions, who was a recruiting analyst for the Wolverines under former head coach Jim Harbaugh, resigned from his position in November. Michigan suspended Stalions with pay in October due to an NCAA investigation into sign-stealing allegations.

The Big Ten suspended Harbaugh for the final three contests of the 2023 season as punishment for his role in the school's impermissible scouting and sign-stealing scandal. However, the NCAA's draft of allegations doesn't provide evidence regarding Harbaugh's involvement in Stalions' operation or that he knew about it, Thamel and Murphy report. Still, the draft says that Harbaugh failed to actively look for or evaluate "red flags."

The NCAA is also accusing Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore of violating NCAA rules, claiming in the draft that he allegedly deleted 52 text messages with Stalions on the same day the media reported on the sign-stealing operation.

Moore signed a five-year, $27.5-million contract in January to become Michigan's head coach after Harbaugh took the Los Angeles Chargers head coaching role. The 38-year-old was previously the offensive coordinator for the Wolverines.