Ex-Michigan staffer Connor Stalions coaching at Detroit high school - ESPN

Connor Stalions, the low-level analyst who was allegedly the mastermind behind Michigan's sign-stealing operation that led to former coach Jim Harbaugh's three-game suspension during the Wolverines' national championship season in 2023, is back in coaching.

Mumford High coach William McMichael confirmed to ESPN on Friday that he has hired Stalions as his defensive coordinator at the Detroit school. McMichael said Stalions is working as a volunteer.

«He might be the most hated man in college football, but the coaches and kids at Mumford High School love him,» McMichael said.

McMichael, in his first season as Mumford's coach, said a mutual friend introduced him to Stalions. He said Stalions had to go through a background check before he joined the staff.

«What happened at Michigan had nothing to do with Mumford High School,» McMichael said. «That's a Michigan thing. That's an NCAA thing.»

McMichael said the Mumford players call their new coordinator «Five-star Stalions.»

«The kids love him,» McMichael said. «He seemed like the perfect fit for us and what we wanted to do. The defense we've been running for a while mirrors Michigan's. It gives an edge to the guys who are looking to go to the next level because they're learning college lingo and how you go about being professional.»

The Mustangs, who haven't had a winning campaign since 2019, open the season Aug. 29 against Thurston High School.

Stalions, a retired captain in the United States Marine Corps, was accused of orchestrating an elaborate scheme in which he sent people to scout the Wolverines' future opponents, including recording play signals from teams' sidelines.

Harbaugh, who now coaches the Los Angeles Chargers, has denied knowledge of the sign-stealing scheme.