Eric Boggs
The NCAA Division I Infractions Appeals Committee has upheld its ruling against former Michigan staffer Connor Stalions, denying his appeal and reinforcing findings tied to one of college football’s most scrutinized scandals. In its original August 2025 decision, the Committee on Infractions concluded that Stalions engaged in impermissible scouting by directing individuals to attend games of future Michigan opponents and record their signals, a violation categorized as Level I-Aggravated. Investigators also determined he failed to cooperate with the inquiry, citing evidence from a 74-page report that detailed his destruction of a personal phone and disposal of digital storage devices during the investigation.
Stalions challenged the decision by arguing that the case began through irregular and prejudicial procedures and that the NCAA misapplied its scouting bylaws. He also contested the six aggravating factors used to justify the severity of his penalties, though the appeals committee noted he did not provide specific arguments addressing those factors. After review, the committee affirmed the original findings and sanctions, leaving in place an eight-year show-cause order that significantly limits his ability to return to college coaching.
For Ohio State followers, the ruling serves as further validation of long-held beliefs about competitive integrity during the years the alleged scheme took place, including multiple editions of The Game. The NCAA determined that Michigan’s operation obtained signals from numerous opponents over several seasons, including the Buckeyes, reinforcing the seriousness of the violations and why the governing body imposed such strict penalties.
Despite the outcome, Stalions has maintained that he did not break rules and has continued efforts to clear his name. However, the latest decision represents another legal and professional setback. With the show-cause penalty intact and Michigan’s former head coach Jim Harbaugh now in the NFL, the likelihood of Stalions returning to the college ranks appears remote.
From a Buckeye perspective, the NCAA’s firm stance underscores the importance of accountability and competitive fairness at the highest level of the sport. Ohio State’s recent success on the field, including reclaiming momentum in the rivalry, has only amplified confidence among supporters that the program’s achievements have come the right way, without controversy or sanction.
