Undefeated football teams don’t typically fire assistant coaches with two games left in the regular season. But for the past month, not much about Michigan’s football season has been typical.
On Friday, about 24 hours before the undefeated Wolverines are set to face Maryland in College Park, Michigan announced it had dismissed linebackers coach Chris Partridge amid the NCAA’s ongoing investigation into an impermissible sign-stealing scheme allegedly run by former analyst Connor Stalions. A statement from the school indicated the firing was the result of new information from the NCAA related to the case.
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Partridge’s dismissal comes after Michigan settled its legal case with the Big Ten on Thursday, accepting the league-issued three-game suspension for Coach Jim Harbaugh that will continue this weekend.
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“From the outset, our focus has been on seeking due process and allowing the NCAA to conduct a fair and deliberate investigation,” Michigan said in its statement following Partridge’s dismissal. “Although the Big Ten has closed its investigation, we are continuing to cooperate with the NCAA as it moves forward with its ongoing investigation.
“Consistent with our commitment to integrity we will continue to take the appropriate actions, including disciplinary measures, based on the information we obtain. Earlier [Friday], Michigan Athletics relieved Chris Partridge of his duties as a member of the Michigan Football staff. Due to employee privacy laws, we are unable to comment further.”
Shortly after Michigan’s announcement, Yahoo Sports reported that among the new information the NCAA shared with Michigan this week was that Partridge allegedly attempted to destroy computer evidence of the sign-stealing scheme after news of it first leaked in mid-October. At this time, Yahoo reported, the NCAA is unsure whether Partridge knew about the sign-stealing scheme in advance. Yahoo also reported that a booster — referred to as “Uncle T” in the NCAA’s report — allegedly provided thousands of dollars to fund Stalions’s operation.
Stalions resigned from his position as a recruiting analyst early this month. As of Friday, he, Partridge and Harbaugh were the three people to face consequences from either the school or the Big Ten in relation to the sign-stealing operation. When the Big Ten issued Harbaugh’s suspension, however, it noted the ban was intended to punish the Wolverines program and not the coach, and that it did not have evidence that Harbaugh was aware of the scheme.
When Michigan faces Maryland, offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore will fill in for Harbaugh, as he did last week when the Wolverines beat Penn State. Rick Minter, father of defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, has replaced Partridge as the Wolverines’ linebackers coach.
On Friday, about 24 hours before the undefeated Wolverines are set to face Maryland in College Park, Michigan announced it had dismissed linebackers coach Chris Partridge amid the NCAA’s ongoing investigation into an impermissible sign-stealing scheme allegedly run by former analyst Connor Stalions. A statement from the school indicated the firing was the result of new information from the NCAA related to the case.
The stunners. The cheers. The home runs, hat tricks and gameday magic. Don’t miss out with The Sports Moment, a newsletter for the biggest sports news.
Partridge’s dismissal comes after Michigan settled its legal case with the Big Ten on Thursday, accepting the league-issued three-game suspension for Coach Jim Harbaugh that will continue this weekend.
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“From the outset, our focus has been on seeking due process and allowing the NCAA to conduct a fair and deliberate investigation,” Michigan said in its statement following Partridge’s dismissal. “Although the Big Ten has closed its investigation, we are continuing to cooperate with the NCAA as it moves forward with its ongoing investigation.
“Consistent with our commitment to integrity we will continue to take the appropriate actions, including disciplinary measures, based on the information we obtain. Earlier [Friday], Michigan Athletics relieved Chris Partridge of his duties as a member of the Michigan Football staff. Due to employee privacy laws, we are unable to comment further.”
Shortly after Michigan’s announcement, Yahoo Sports reported that among the new information the NCAA shared with Michigan this week was that Partridge allegedly attempted to destroy computer evidence of the sign-stealing scheme after news of it first leaked in mid-October. At this time, Yahoo reported, the NCAA is unsure whether Partridge knew about the sign-stealing scheme in advance. Yahoo also reported that a booster — referred to as “Uncle T” in the NCAA’s report — allegedly provided thousands of dollars to fund Stalions’s operation.
Stalions resigned from his position as a recruiting analyst early this month. As of Friday, he, Partridge and Harbaugh were the three people to face consequences from either the school or the Big Ten in relation to the sign-stealing operation. When the Big Ten issued Harbaugh’s suspension, however, it noted the ban was intended to punish the Wolverines program and not the coach, and that it did not have evidence that Harbaugh was aware of the scheme.
When Michigan faces Maryland, offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore will fill in for Harbaugh, as he did last week when the Wolverines beat Penn State. Rick Minter, father of defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, has replaced Partridge as the Wolverines’ linebackers coach.
