Oct 21, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman reacts during the second half against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mississippi State won 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Coach of the linebackers at Michigan is fired following allegations of a potential cover-up.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — No. 2 Michigan fired linebackers coach Chris Partridge on Friday, causing yet more turmoil for a Wolverines squad that is currently facing an NCAA investigation for a sign-stealing scheme. Jim Harbaugh will not take the field for the Wolverines’ game against rival Ohio State the following week.
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Warde Manuel, the athletic director, cited employee privacy regulations but refused to comment on Partridge’s termination. A text message from The Associated Press requesting comment was not returned by Partridge.
Manuel stated that the institution was still cooperating with the investigation and that “from the outset, our focus has been on seeking due process and allowing the NCAA to conduct a fair and deliberate investigation.” “In keeping with our dedication to honesty, we will persist in taking the suitable
One of the new pieces of information that the NCAA sent Michigan this week, according to Yahoo Sports, was that Partridge reportedly tried to erase computer proof of the sign-stealing plan after it was initially made public in mid-October. The NCAA is still unsure if Partridge was aware of the sign-stealing scheme beforehand, according to a report from Yahoo. Additionally, Yahoo revealed that Connor Stalions’s operation was allegedly funded with thousands of dollars by a supporter, identified as “Uncle T” in the NCAA investigation.
Partridge was let go because he “failed to abide by the university directive not to discuss an ongoing NCAA investigation with anyone associated with the Michigan football program or others,” according to an ESPN article that was published later on Friday. This was the “specific language Michigan used to explain Partridge’s firing,” according to the study.
The dismissal occurred the day after the university and the Big Ten Conference agreed to a deal whereby Harbaugh would serve the final two games of his three-game ban in exchange for the conference ceasing its inquiry into the claims of sign-stealing. Harbaugh will delegate coaching duties to his assistants and won’t be on the sidelines on Saturday against Maryland or the following week when the Buckeyes play the third-ranked team in the regular-season finale.
The stalion gave up two weeks ago. He is charged with buying tickets to watch prospective Michigan opponents and sending individuals to those matches to capture team signals on camera. The NCAA forbids in-person scouting as it investigates the level of organization and knowledge behind the scam.
After three seasons as Mississippi’s safeties coach and co-defensive coordinator, Partridge returned to the team in February.
Harbaugh stated at the time, “Since we began working together in 2015, Chris has been a trusted agent, known friend, and ally.”
Prior to the 2019 season, Partridge was employed by Harbaugh from 2016 to 2019. During his initial tenure with the Wolverines, he was appointed as the team’s director of player personnel before being elevated to assistant coach for four years.
The Big Ten suspended Harbaugh last Friday, so he was unable to attend Penn State’s triumph the following day. A day ahead of the planned court hearing, on Thursday, an agreement was made to have the suspension lifted, notwithstanding Michigan’s request for a court injunction.
Coach Harbaugh is allowed to lead the squad during the week. Harbaugh also received a three-game suspension at the start of the season due to a separate and unresolved NCAA infractions case relating to recruiting. Among the favorites to win a national championship are the Wolverines.
