New details in Connor Stalions saga are favorable for Michigan

At least one long-standing question in the Connor Stalions saga has finally been answered.
Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh watches from the sideline beside off-field analyst Connor Stalions, right, during a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in 2022.
Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh watches from the sideline beside off-field analyst Connor Stalions, right, during a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium in 2022. | Adam Cairns / USA TODAY NETWORK

Former Michigan football staffer Connor Stalions was once alleged to have been on the sideline for a game between Central Michigan and Michigan State.

Anyone who has followed the Stalions saga, which has to do with sign-stealing, advanced scouting, and an overzealous NCAA, knows that Stalions has been accused of being on the sidelines, in Central Michigan gear, for the Chippewas game against Michigan State in the 2023 season.

When the photos surfaced, some jumped to conclusions that Michigan football had sent Stalions to the game to "scout" The Spartans.

Since Michigan later beat Michigan State 49-0 in East Lansing, while the Spartans huddled, it's clear that the Wolverines didn't need to do any advanced scouting to beat MSU. They whipped them after news of the scandal broke.

Yet, we now know, or at least the NCAA alleges to know, why Stalions was there. As it turns out, he was hired by the Central Michigan staff and wasn't there because Michigan football coaches sent him there.

This is according to Trevor McCue of Rivals, after there was a notice of allegations sent to CMU by the NCAA. Former head coach Jim McElwain retired after the season. Now we know why.

It means that Central Michigan got Stalions a sideline pass, got him past security, and got him on the field when he wasn't supposed to be. It's probably not going to help his case with the NCAA. But it shouldn't hurt Michigan.

However, it's just another sign that this entire saga has been overblown and misrepresented. Stalions wasn't there for Michigan, which sheds new light on what happened that is more favorable to U-M.