NCAA denies Connor Stalions’ appeal of Michigan sign-stealing penalty

An NCAA appeals committee denied former Michigan staff member Connor Stalions' appeal of the eight-year show-cause penalty he received for his role in a sign-stealing scandal.

Stalions had argued that the August ruling from the NCAA Committee on Infractions was based on "procedural errors" and a misapplication of the bylaws prohibiting in-person scouting of future opponents.

Stalions, 30, filed the appeal in October, and the appeals committee deliberated his case twice in December before issuing its final decision on Wednesday.

"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 appeals committee wrote in its report.

"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."

In its August ruling, the infractions committee determined that Stalions was at the center of the scheme to collect cellphone videos of signals from games of the Wolverines' opponents during the 2021, 2022 and 2023 seasons. Michigan won the national championship in 2023.

Former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, who left to coach the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024, received a 10-year show-cause penalty. His successor, Sherrone Moore, served a three-game suspension before being fired in December for allegedly engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.