The NCAA finally decided to look into why Connor Stalions was on the Central Michigan sideline during a college football game last season. Chippewas head coach Jim McElwain is the subject of an ongoing investigation and could be punished for his role in the mysterious guest appearance.
He has claimed ignorance throughout this entire process but his tune could change now that the authorities are involved.
With that being said, the NCAA has proved incompetent time and time again. History would actually prove it is actually in his best interest not to cooperate.
Stalions, who is now calling plays for Michigan’s top recruiting target, was cast as a a rogue agent in an extensive operation to scout future opponents in advance. That is explicitly illegal by NCAA rule.
The Wolveries received their Notice of Allegations in August, and head coach Sherrone Moore is directly implicated after deleting a large number of texts with the former staffer. However, this matter could take years to resolve and will likely get litigious.
Regardless of how things shake out in Ann Arbor, there is a separate (but connected) investigation going on in Mount Pleasant. Stalions was on the CMU sideline during its game against Michigan State last season. The NCAA looked into the bizarre occurrence. It has since confirmed that it was actually him — in disguise — but was unable to figure out how he got there.
Does Jim McElwain know?
Spartans athletic director Alan Haller continues to demand answers and threatened legal action against the Chippewas in May. Central Michigan fired a coach with ties to Jim Harbaugh not too long thereafter.
Jim McElwain has close ties to the Michigan program, especially the previous regime, having coached the receivers in 2018. He has repeatedly denied any kind of knowledge about Stalions’ presence on his sideline.
We… were totally unaware of it. I certainly don’t condone it in any way, shape or form, and I do know that his name was on none of the [sideline] passes that were let out.
— Jim McElwain
It is in McElwain’s best interest to remain recalcitrant, regardless of whether he is aware of what actually happened or not. The NCAA often fails to uncover the full truth about a suspicious situation and there is very little faith in the governing body of collegiate athletics to get it right.
If it does come out that McElwain knew why Stalions was on the sideline or directly assisted his sign-stealing operation, it would likely result in major violations. The other potential punishment could stem from his willful ignorance. The NCAA could determine that he did not have control of his program.
Should Central Michigan get hit with a severe punishment, the university would likely choose to make a change at head coach. But there is still a very long way to go before it reaches that point.