The NCAA has officially punished Central Michigan University after confirming that former Michigan staffer Connor Stalions, the person at the top of the sign-stealing scandal, was disguised as a CMU staff member on the sideline during a 2023 game.
The incident took place during Central Michigan’s season opener game against Michigan State. TV cameras captured a man in CMU gear and sunglasses standing on the sideline. That man was later identified as Stalions, who allegedly used the access to scout Michigan State’s signals.
Accusations and penalties
According to Sports Illustrated, the NCAA found that Central Michigan failed to monitor who had sideline access and allowed an unauthorized individual to access as part of the coaching staff.
As a result, the school was given a two-year probation and an economical penalty, while multiple staff members were hit with show-cause penalties, including former head coach Jim McElwain and assistant coach Jake Kostner, who reportedly helped Stalions to be present that day.
McElwain received a two-year show-cause order that restricts his ability to work in college football without NCAA approval, nearly the same as Kostmer, who also got a show-cause penalty but for four years.
All the blame to the University
The NCAA called the incident a “clear breach of competitive integrity,” reminding that schools are 100% responsible for ensuring all credentialed personnel are authorized.
This punishment finally closes one chapter of the ongoing Connor Stalions sign-stealing case, but it serves a stark warning for the rest of the league: even a single unauthorized person on the sideline can be subject to punishment with the corresponding, lasting consequences.
The probation requires enhanced compliance measures, regular reporting to the NCAA and a stricter credential system for all team operations. For the coaches, the show-cause penalties make it nearly impossible to return to NCAA sidelines until it expires.
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