The NCAA Division I Infractions Appeals Committee (IAC) has denied the appeal of former Michigan football defensive analyst Connor Stalions, upholding an eight-year show-cause penalty for his role in the Wolverines’ sign-stealing scandal imposed by the NCAA Committee of Infractions.
Stalions, who worked under former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh from 2018-23, was punished among other parties on Aug. 15, 2025, for his role in the Wolverines sign-stealing scheme in which he purchased opponents’ game tickets and recorded sideline signals spanning from 2021-23.
In his appeal, Stalions argued that “procedural errors” occurred when the investigation began and that the NCAA misapplied a scouting bylaw prohibiting off-campus, in-person scouting. The IAC also reported that Stalions cited all six factors that classified the violations as Level I-Aggravated, but he did not elaborate in arguing against them.
“Additionally, Mr. Stalions marked for appeal each of the six aggravating factors applied and used in the determination that the case was an aggravated case for him,” the appeals committee stated in its report. “However, Mr. Stalions did not specifically outline arguments regarding these aggravating factors in his appeal submissions.”
Despite listing all six aggravating factors in his appeal, the IAC ultimately denied Stalions because he failed to specifically challenge those factors and did not demonstrate that the case record lacked evidence supporting the infraction committee’s findings and penalties.
Stalions also argued that being unable to test the credibility of confidential sources and the sharing of information with the Big Ten “irreparably prejudiced” him and “negatively influenced the NCAA’s subsequent investigation of this case.”
“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. “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 appeals committee also mentioned that Stalions’ role in the Netflix documentary “Sign Stealer,” part of the streaming services’ “Untold” series, undermined his claim of undue publicity.
Stalions wasn’t the only Michigan staff member to face stiff penalties. Harbaugh, now the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, received a 10-year show-cause penalty, while former Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore was suspended for three games and received a two-year show-cause penalty. Michigan’s football program was also hit with fines expected to exceed $30 million and a series of other recruiting penalties.
