Connor Stalions goes on the record, and he is unapologetic.
“I don’t regret a thing, and I would do the same thing over again,” Stalions stated in the Netflix documentary “Untold: Sign Stealer,” which premiered on Tuesday.
Stalions is at the heart of an NCAA investigation concerning a sign-stealing operation linked to the University of Michigan. Allegations suggest he orchestrated an in-person scouting scheme.
The NCAA has issued a notice of allegations to the university, with potential sanctions looming. Fans hoping for an admission of wrongdoing from Stalions and the university will be disappointed.
What began as a narrative about one of Michigan’s strongest football teams has shifted to focus on Stalions. His story, rich in detail, has largely been relayed through various accounts.
Raised by devoted Michigan fans, Stalions was immersed in the culture from a young age. His mother, Kelly, described their family as “crazed Michigan fans” in the documentary.
The documentary includes footage of a young Stalions tearfully celebrating Michigan’s 1997 national championship win. He even dressed as legendary coach Bo Schembechler for Halloween. Inspired by the military service of top coaches, he aimed for a spot at the Naval Academy.
Stalions first attempted to decode opponent signals during his debut as a student coach at Navy on August 30, 2014, against Ohio State. After graduating four years later, he joined the U.S. Marines and achieved the rank of captain, all while nurturing his dream to coach at Michigan.
“There’s so much drive with this kid,” noted Detroit News reporter Tony Paul in the film, acknowledging the intensity of Stalions’ ambition.
Stalions made his first connection with the Michigan coaching staff at a large clinic. After meeting former assistant Chris Partridge, he began interning with the team, offering his services as a sign-stealer.
He referred to his role as an “intel operations staff member,” viewing Michigan as an underdog in the intelligence community. Importantly, he balanced his military service with volunteer work for the team over three years.
While stationed at Camp Pendleton in California, he traveled to Michigan games at his own expense, meeting with the team and analyzing signals from the sidelines.
He developed detailed sign-stealing sheets for Michigan’s opponents, referencing between 2,000 and 3,000 signals. His innovative methods coincided with Michigan’s remarkable three-year run, culminating in a perfect 15-0 national title season in 2023.
In 2022, Stalions received a game ball from coach Jim Harbaugh following a victory against Iowa, highlighting his contributions to the team’s success.
He authored a comprehensive document outlining what he viewed as competitive advantages, asserting he learned signals using common methods within the secretive world of college football.
Stalions claimed, “I’ve never advanced scouted,” explaining that his unique organization of information set him apart on game day.
However, following allegations of cheating against Michigan in 2023, Stalions withdrew from the program.
His attorney, Brad Beckworth, claimed in the documentary that the university leaked information about Stalions’ termination only after he formally resigned.
Interestingly, Michigan figure Dave Portnoy emerged as a surprisingly relatable voice in the documentary. He acknowledges the team’s wrongdoing but appreciates Stalions’ efforts to secure victories against rivals like Ohio State.
Portnoy revealed that Stalions admitted to being the individual disguised on the Central Michigan sideline, a detail captured in a now-infamous photo from 2023.
When confronted about the same photo, Stalions humorously denied the resemblance, saying, “I don’t even think this guy looks like me,” failing to maintain a serious demeanor.
Despite distancing himself from Michigan’s football program, Stalions attended the Ohio State-Michigan game last year.
Central to the investigation is Stalions’ purchase of tickets to 30 games, including 11 at Big Ten stadiums, over the past three years. He claims his passion for college football drives these purchases.
An external law firm conducted an investigation, uncovering documents related to games scouted and individuals connected to Stalions. He alleged that his personal computer was hacked for information. On April 24, 2024, he participated in an NCAA interview regarding the ongoing investigation.
Stalions firmly denied the allegations against him.
