NCAA Penalizes Central Michigan for Role in Michigan Sign-Stealing Scheme

The NCAA today penalized Central Michigan University with two years’ probation and fines, and issued show-cause penalties to several former staffers for their involvement in the advance scouting scheme orchestrated by Connor Stalions while he was with the University of Michigan.

According to the NCAA’s investigation, Stalions was present on the sideline during Central Michigan’s September 1, 2023, game against Michigan State, having been granted access through former quarterbacks coach Jake Kostner. The NCAA found that Kostner, along with former coordinator of athletic equipment operations Nate Mason and former director of recruiting Mike McGee, facilitated Stalions’ presence by providing him with coaching gear and sideline access under an alias. Former head coach Jim McElwain was deemed responsible for the violations due to the actions of his staff.

The penalties include a $30,000 fine for Central Michigan, a two-year show-cause penalty and suspensions for McElwain, Mason, and McGee, and a four-year show-cause penalty with suspensions for Kostner. McElwain announced his retirement at the end of the 2024 season after six years with the Chippewas, and Kostner resigned earlier in the year. This case is part of a larger investigation into alleged recruiting and sign-stealing violations across college football, which has raised questions about competitive fairness. Further details on NCAA penalties can be found on the NCAA website.

The NCAA previously issued a ten-year show-cause penalty to former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, and current Michigan coach Sherrone Moore recently withdrew his appeal of a two-year show-cause penalty. The investigation into Stalions resulted in an eight-year show-cause penalty barring him from all athletically related activities. The NCAA stated it will continue to monitor Central Michigan’s compliance with the imposed penalties.