Joel Klatt Hits NCAA with Harsh Reality Check While Reacting to Connor Stalions’ Netflix Series

The Michigan Wolverines has been stained with the name of Connor Stalions. After the infamous controversy of the sign-stealing that occurred last season, the NCAA has been running a thorough investigation to pinpoint the culprits. Now, almost a year after the incident, Stalions has been highlighted as the ringleader of the entire operation with Harbaugh and Sherrone Moore playing minor roles in the scandal.

Connor Stalions, the former analyst, resigned from his position in November 2023 when the NCAA set sights on him specifically during the investigation. He had been with the team since May 2022 but his career was cut short when he was accused of running an “elaborate” scheme of in-person scouting of opponents’ teams. Netflix recently released a brand new documentary on the Stalions’ case and the former Michigan staff member was himself heard speaking up on the incident and what his methods were. While the entire community is deeply disgusted by his actions, Joel Klatt’s recent statements highlight the normalcy of such crimes within the NCAA.

Joel Klatt talks about the common malpractice of sign-stealingADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

On the 28th August episode of the ‘Joel Klatt Show‘, the host went on to discuss the Michigan sign-stealing saga and how it impacts the team’s reigning championship run this season. In one of the segments, he reacted to the Connor Stalions’ documentary that came out while mentioning that sign-stealing occurs on a daily in college football. Klatt was heard saying, “Sign-stealing occurs in almost every single game in college football. That’s a fact. That’s true. It occurs in three ways. It happens in games just looking across the field at the opposing signs, it happens in advanced scouting but without technology through television copy.”

Article continues below this ad

via Imago

Klatt listed out three ways by which sign stealing takes place and then went on to say that Stalions checked out all 3 of them. He said, “There’s no doubt in my mind that illegal advanced scouting occurred, there’s no doubt in my mind that advanced legal scouting occurred and there’s no doubt in my mind that in-game deciphering occurred. All three of those occurred.” Thus, Stalions did cross all bounds of malpractice when he did all these things without even keeping the HC at the time, Jim Harbaugh, in the loop but even with all the storm that surrounds him at the moment, he’s already found himself a replacement job.

Connor Stalions’ new job!ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Stalions has galloped away from the NCAA to teach at a high school. He’s been hired as a defensive coordinator at Mumford High in Detroit. Only recently, the HC of the school, William McMichael confirmed the reports and brought him on board despite having full knowledge of the controversy that surrounds him.

McMichael defended his decision through and through and said, “He might be the most hated man in college football, but the coaches and kids at Mumford High School love him.” Furthermore, he added how their defensive plays “mirrors Michigan’s” and will help the team players “who are looking to go to the next level” and thus, Stalions might be the right guy for this job. All in all, hopefully, the air of distrust around Michigan can fade away as they defend their 2023 title against an ocean of doubts from the community.