Not even a year after a messy resignation from Michigan, Connor Stalions found himself another coaching job. But just one game into the season, and conflicts are springing up. What could be the issue? You can be the judge of it.

After the Michigan sign-stealing episode last season, the future of Connor Stalions looked bleak as he emerged as the main person to execute the plan. Still, Detroit Mumford hired Stalions as their volunteer defensive coordinator over the summer. But when HC Will McMichael’s availability status for the Week 2 game came up and Stalions’ name popped up, Mumford’s former coach and current athletic director was quick to set the record straight. 

According to a CBS Sports report on September 6, “Michigan’s infamous former staffer has become acting coach for Detroit Mumford High School at least for tonight’s game against Hamady High School in Livonia, Michigan.” As per the report, McMichael texted CBS Sports that “Connor is leading the team now” and that his return is “unknown” as of now, which will mark him absent from their Week 2 game on Friday. But to keep the record straight, AD Donshell English insisted that Connor Stalions is not their acting coach. 

Following the report, English told the Free Press, “No. All the coaches are coaching the team… I don’t know who the head coach is. I do know that Will will be back next week. When I talked to him, he said the doctor said he’s just fine and he’ll be back next Monday.” According to the CBS Sports report, McMichael suffered a “mild stroke” and entered the hospital on August 30 and stayed there for three days. This led English to rectify the situation, saying, “No, no, nothing that serious. Nothing I know of anyway. He’s ill. He’s been sick this week. He’ll be back next week.” English is adamant that if anyone should be the acting coach now, it has to be someone who’s been there long enough instead of Connor Stalions whose actions last season still have ongoing consequences on Michigan. 

Connor Stalions’ sign-stealing drama puts Michigan in bad shape

The NCAA laid out their investigation on the table days before Michigan’s 2024 season opener. Both HC Sherrone Moore and Michigan received a Notice of Allegations from their sign-stealing incident led by Connor Stalions. The investigation exposed Moore’s involvement in the incident after retrieving 50+ deleted messages with Stalions in October. 

Connor Stalions’ actions have led not only to his resignation in November but also to the suspension of Jim Harbaugh for the last four season games. The mistake is still haunting Michigan as their new HC faces potential suspension over the findings.