Partridge sues Michigan over firing during Stalions scandal - ESPN

Former Michigan assistant football coach Chris Partridge, fired during the Wolverines' 2023 sign-stealing scandal only to be later cleared of wrongdoing by the NCAA, sued the university, its board of trustees and athletic director Warde Manuel in federal court Wednesday.

Partridge, now the Seattle Seahawks' linebackers coach, was fired Nov. 17, 2023, amid the investigation into an advanced scouting operation run by then-staffer Connor Stalions. Partridge was never alleged to have known about the sign-stealing scheme, let alone participate in it.

But in a 46-page complaint filed in the Eastern District of Michigan, Partridge alleges he was made a «scapegoat.»

The lawsuit alleges Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti «presented [Michigan athletic director Warde] Manuel with uncorroborated, second-hand, inflammatory information» that Partridge had told an unnamed student-athlete to «not be forthright with information» when speaking with NCAA investigators.

The complaint alleges that Petitti «threatened to embarrass Michigan by presenting» the information during a pending injunction hearing concerning a suspension of then-coach Jim Harbaugh.

Michigan officials did not immediately respond to ESPN's request for comment. The Big Ten declined to comment.

Citing unnamed sources, local and national news organizations reported at the time that Partridge had «destroyed evidence.»

Partridge denied all claims, stating he never destroyed any evidence, never had any evidence to destroy in the first place and had only told the player who sought his guidance to «get a lawyer.»

«A Michigan football player approached Partridge, told him he was nervous about his upcoming interview with the NCAA, and asked for advice,» the lawsuit says.