The NCAA is investigating Central Michigan University head football coach Jim McElwain. They want to know what the coach knew about a former Michigan Wolverines staffer allegedly sneaking onto the Chippewas' sideline during a game.
In September 2023, then Wolverines staffer Connor Stallions, allegedly disguised himself as a CMU sideline coach during an away game against Michigan State. He allegedly wore sunglasses and a CMU hat.
Stallions is accused of breaking NCAA rules by running a scheme to steal play call signals from other coaches, which is also under investigation in a separate probe by the NCAA. Stallions has denied those allegations.
The NCAA opened an investigation into the sideline incident in November 2023.
At a press conference from 2023, McElwain denied any knowledge of Stallion's presence on the sidelines.
"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,” McElwain said. "And again, you know, there, there's, there's no place in football for that,” he added.
The NCAA said, in a statement, that they do not comment on investigations.
“For the past year, CMU has fully cooperated with the NCAA’s ongoing investigation, and we will continue to cooperate with the NCAA as it works to complete its investigation,” a CMU spokesperson wrote in an email to WCMU. The spokesperson added that NCAA rules state that the school isn’t allowed to comment on case details.
“We are eager to bring this matter to a fair and prompt conclusion and to share what we know. We appreciate the patience and support of our community,” the statement said.
Editor's note: WCMU's broadcast license is held by Central Michigan University. WCMU's newsroom is editorially independent from CMU, and the university is not involved in writing, editing or reviewing our reports.
