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Central Michigan University has been placed on a two-year probation by the NCAA following an investigation into unauthorized access granted to Conor Stalions, a former Michigan staffer known for his involvement in a sign-stealing scandal. The incident in question involved Stalions being allowed sideline access during a 2023 game between Central Michigan and Michigan State. This access was arranged by former CMU coach Jim McElwain and three members of his staff, though the official case summary shows no direct evidence of McElwain’s personal involvement. Despite this, McElwain was held responsible under the NCAA's head coach responsibility rules.
The NCAA revealed that Stalions had knowledge of opponents' signals over seven games in two seasons, including during Michigan’s 2023 national championship run. This raised concerns about competitive fairness and compliance with NCAA regulations. McElwain, who retired after the 2024 season, was issued a two-year show-cause penalty. This means he is barred from coaching duties for the first year, and if employed by an NCAA institution afterwards, he faces suspensions covering 30% of games in year one and 20% in year two.
Alongside McElwain, three former CMU staffers received penalties. Jack Kostner, a former quarterbacks coach, was handed a four-year show-cause order and is barred from athletic activities for the first year, with suspensions affecting up to half the games in his second year if hired. Mike McGee, the ex-director of recruiting, and Nate Mason, the former coordinator of athletic equipment, received two-year show-cause orders. Both face suspensions and restrictions similar to Kostner if they return to NCAA roles.
The NCAA’s report detailed that Kostner requested extra coaching gear from Mason, bypassing normal program protocols. Kostner then asked McGee to pass along this gear and a sideline pass to Stalions, using an alias to conceal Stalions’ identity. McGee was apparently unaware of who exactly the gear was for but knew it was intended for someone skilled at decoding signals. During the game, Stalions was positioned near the football staff, enabling him to access and potentially exploit signal information.
Central Michigan agreed to accept the NCAA’s enforcement proposal, which included probation and a fine of $30,000 plus 1% of the football program's budget. The NCAA Committee on Infractions approved this settlement, aiming to uphold sportsmanship and deter future violations. The case highlights how head coaches are held accountable for their staff’s actions, emphasizing the importance of oversight and compliance within collegiate athletics. It also underlines ongoing concerns about technology and tactics that may compromise fair competition in NCAA football.
This ruling marks a significant moment for CMU’s football program and for Jim McElwain personally, given the severity of the show-cause orders and the impact on their reputations and future career opportunities. It also serves as a warning to other programs about the risks and consequences of indirect involvement in unethical or rule-breaking behavior related to competitive advantages.
