Controversial former Michigan staffer gets unexpected opportunity

It was reported in mid-August that Stalions was tabbed as the defensive coordinator for Mumford High School in Detroit.

Mustangs first-year head coach William McMichael had said last month that Stalions was working as a volunteer in his role.

A report from Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports said that Stalions will be the team’s acting head coach at least for Friday’s game against Hamady High School, though McMichael said his return to the team is “unknown.”

“Connor is leading the team now,” McMichael told CBS Sports.

Mumford’s temporary leader resigned from the Wolverines program in November amid the team’s sign-stealing scandal. The NCAA opened an investigation last October during Michigan’s run to the national championship, alleging that Stalions was the mastermind of a scheme that involved the program sending individuals to games involving future opponents using tickets he purchased over three years.

Those people allegedly recorded the teams’ signs. Though in-game scouting is allowed, scouting in-person games of future teams on the schedule isn’t.

The school received an official notice of allegations 10 days ago.

Per Dodd’s report, Stalions took over the Mustangs last week after McMichael suffered his health scare. McMichael entered the hospital on Aug. 30 and stayed for three days, according to the report.

Stalions faces a tough task in his first leading position, as Mumford has gone just 4-24 since the start of the 2022 campaign, including a season-opening loss last week.

The report said he conducted “three hours of practice and meetings” on Thursday, with just 30 players dressed for the session.

Stalions told CBS Sports that he “would hope” he’ll be a college head coach someday, but for now, he’s focusing on the Mustangs.

“It’s a matter of keeping them bought in,” Stalions said, per Dodd.

No. 10 Michigan will look to move to 2-0 on Saturday when it hosts No. 3 Texas, while the NFL’s Detroit Lions welcome the Los Angeles Rams to town on the Week 1 version of “Sunday Night Football.” 

On Friday, though, it’ll be Stalions’ turn in the spotlight.