Michigan’s ex-sign stealer Connor Stalions strongly defends himself in Netflix documentary about NCAA rules

Connor Stalions finally broke his silence in a Netflix documentary.

The former Michigan football staffer, who resigned last season amid a scandal, made his first public statements in “Sign Stealer,” released on Tuesday—just two days after the NCAA sent a notice of allegations to the university about his activities.

“If I’m a bad guy, then everyone in football is a bad guy,” Stalions stated in the latest episode of “UNTOLD” on the streaming platform.

While NCAA rules don’t prohibit sign-stealing—a role Stalions appeared to play under former coach Jim Harbaugh—the organization does ban advance scouting. Stalions told NCAA investigators during a recorded virtual meeting that he did not obtain signals through in-person scouting.

When asked if he attended the Central Michigan-Michigan State game on September 1, 2023, Stalions said he couldn’t recall. The documentary showed an image of a man in Central Michigan gear and sunglasses during that game, with Stalions dismissing the comparison, saying, “I don’t even think this guy looks like me.”

Records from other Big Ten schools indicate that Stalions purchased tickets to numerous games involving future opponents, with the NCAA alleging he sent others to digitally record teams signaling plays. However, Stalions claimed some of those tickets were given to people who sent him unsolicited video clips and denied directing anyone to attend games.

Stalions also told the NCAA that he didn’t need videos because he had already memorized the signs. In the documentary, he explained how he built a database of thousands of images to decipher opposing teams’ signals.

Before graduating from the Naval Academy in 2017, Stalions volunteered as a student coach under Ken Niumatalolo, where he said sign-stealing was part of his role. He later volunteered with Michigan’s football program for years, even while stationed in San Diego, until Harbaugh officially hired him in 2022.

Stalions, a retired Marine Corps captain, was an analytics assistant for the Wolverines when he was suspended in October 2023, shortly after the school disclosed the NCAA investigation. He later resigned, saying, “I kind of went into hiding. They dragged my name through the mud.”

During the documentary, Stalions’ attorney questioned NCAA investigators about how his personal data was obtained, but they couldn’t provide specific details. The NCAA’s investigation into Michigan’s alleged in-person scouting and sign-stealing overshadowed the latter half of the team’s undefeated season.

Stalions was seen at last season’s victory over Ohio State, confirmed by former linebacker Michael Barrett in the documentary. On the first day of filming, director Micah Brown captured footage of Stalions crying in the stands as confetti fell during Michigan’s national championship celebration after their win over Washington in Houston.

Harbaugh, now coaching the Los Angeles Chargers, has denied any knowledge of impermissible scouting during his time at Michigan. Stalions displayed a game ball given to him by the program after a win over Iowa in 2022, recalling Harbaugh’s words: “Don’t get a big head, Connor.”

The Big Ten suspended Harbaugh for the final three games of the 2023 regular season as punishment for Michigan’s role in the sign-stealing scheme.

Michigan, ranked No. 9, will kick off the defense of its national championship on Saturday night at home against Fresno State.

Stalions did not receive payment for appearing in the documentary but was compensated for footage he provided, according to SpringHill, the entertainment company owned by LeBron James and Maverick Carter, which produced the film.

“They wanted to tell this story and got access to Connor,” Brown said. “Regardless of how people perceive Connor in this film, he should have a future in football, and I hope he gets that opportunity.”

Stalions is currently a volunteer coach and serves as the defensive coordinator for Detroit Mumford High School’s football team.