Eric Boggs
Former Michigan linebackers coach Chris Partridge has hired a lawyer and is considering suing Michigan over his firing. This news came from Michigan insider John U. Bacon.
Partridge joined Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan staff in 2015, starting as the director of player personnel. He then became the safeties coach and special teams coordinator before moving to Ole Miss as a co-coordinator in 2020. In 2023, he returned to Michigan initially as an analyst and was later promoted to linebackers coach. However, he was fired on Nov. 17 amid the Connor Stalions scouting scandal.
Partridge has denied the reports that he was fired for sharing information about the Stalions investigation, claiming he knew nothing about it.
“The reports about my firing are inaccurate and have caused people to make false assumptions about my role and knowledge of the sign-stealing allegations,” Partridge stated on Nov. 27. “I had no knowledge of any in-person or illegal scouting or sign-stealing.”
The Detroit Free Press obtained Partridge’s termination letter, which stated he was fired for breach of contract. U-M athletics chief of staff Doug Gnodtke informed Partridge that he was dismissed for discussing the ongoing NCAA investigation, violating a University directive, and failing to perform his duties satisfactorily. He was also told he would not be eligible for rehire at the University of Michigan.
John U. Bacon reported that Partridge believes he was denied due process and hinted that Michigan might prefer settling rather than going to trial.
Partridge has since found a job as the outside linebackers coach for the Seattle Seahawks under new head coach Mike Macdonald. Although he is under a one-year contract, his position in the NFL is not secure. Clearing his name and possibly returning to college football seem to be his goals.
It appears that Partridge’s strategy, guided by lawyer Tom Mars, is to push Michigan into a settlement.
