Connor Stalions denies in-person scouting in new Netflix documentary 'Sign Stealer'
Connor Stalions maintains that he did not break NCAA rules on in-person scouting.
Stalions is accused of leading a vast sign-stealing operation at Michigan. Stalions is said to have purchased tickets for people to record signals from upcoming Wolverine opponents. Advanced in-person scouting is against NCAA rules.
Netflix’s Sign Stealer documentary featuring Stalions was released Tuesday. The documentary includes segments of Stalions’ interviews with NCAA investigators, per ESPN.
When an NCAA investigator asks if any Michigan coaches or staff members were aware of the alleged scheme, Stalions denies in-person scouting.
“I did not obtain signals through in-person scouting,” Stalions told the NCAA.
Stalions denies directing others to record Michigan opponents in person. Multiple outlets have reported on records showing Stalions purchased tickets to games involving numerous Wolverine opponents from 2021-23.
Stalions claims any game footage sent to him was voluntarily and not needed.
“I’ve had friends send me film,” Stalions said in the documentary, per ESPN. “It’s kind of like when your aunt gets you a Christmas gift that you already have. You’re not going to be rude and be like, ‘Oh, I already have this. I don’t need that.’ It’s, ‘Oh, thanks, appreciate it.’ They feel like they’re helping out when I already have the signals, I’ve already memorized the signals.”
Stalions maintains that he only scouted Michigan opponents by watching recorded broadcasts.
“One, I’ve never advance scouted,” Stalions said in the documentary, per ESPN. “Two, if this was about signals, I obtain signals the way every other team does, through watching TV copies and talking to other intel guys from other teams. What set me apart was the way in which I organized that information and processed it on game day.”
Stalions was hired to an off-field analyst position in 2022 after previously serving as a volunteer assistant. Michigan suspended Stalions on Oct. 20 when the NCAA began its investigation. Stalions resigned on Nov. 3.
Stalions is suspected of scouting Michigan State from Central Michigan’s sidelines last season. A man resembling Stalions was spotted on the sideline wearing CMU-issued gear and sporting sunglasses. Central Michigan is coached by Jim McElwain, who was on Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan staff as wide receivers coach in 2018. McElwain became Central Michigan’s head coach in 2019.
When asked about the Central Michigan-Michigan State game, Stalions said he didn’t recall attending the game. In the documentary, Dave Portnoy of Barstool Sports says Stalions admitted to being at the game. CMU says it is cooperating with an ongoing investigation.
Central Michigan has released a statement in response to the Connor Stalions documentary on Netflix. pic.twitter.com/r47ahGIigB
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) August 27, 2024