Jim McElwain Addresses Photo That Appears to Show Michigan's Connor Stalions on CMU Sideline

Central Michigan coach Jim McElwain spoke about the viral photo that appears to depict Michigan football staff member Connor Stalions wearing Chippewas coaching gear and standing along the sideline during a game against Michigan State earlier this season.

Stalions is the focus of an ongoing NCAA investigation into the Wolverines for potential off-campus scouting and sign-stealing violations. 

McElwain addressed the photo after Tuesday’s 37–31 win against against Northern Illinois, confirming to reporters that the university is investigating the incident, though he did not mention Stalions by name, referring instead to “the sign-stealer guy.” 

“We’re obviously aware of a picture floating around with the sign-stealer guy,” said McElwain, via Kennedy Broadwell of 9and10 News. “Our people are doing everything they can to get to the bottom of it. We were totally unaware of it, we certainly don’t condone it in any way, shape or form.”

Full quote from CMU Head coach Jim McElwain: pic.twitter.com/AjKf37JhRf

— Kennedy Broadwell (@BroadwellK) November 1, 2023

“I do know that his name was on none of the passes that were let out. Now we just keep tracing it back and tracing it back and try to figure it out. But it’s in good hands with our people. There’s no place in football for that,” added McElwain.

The photo in question stems from Central Michigan’s season-opening clash against the Spartans from Sept. 1. The image depicts someone closely resembling Stalions wearing Chippewas coaching apparel and standing nearby the benches along the sideline. 

The university’s athletic director Amy Folan said in a statement to ESPN on Tuesday that Central Michigan was investigating the incident, after having become aware of the photos on Monday.