Central Michigan will be placed on two years of NCAA probation, while former coach Jim McElwain and three of his former staff members were hit with penalties for their roles in arranging for former Michigan staffer Conor Stalions to be on the sideline for a Chippeawas’ 2023 game against Michigan State.
Known for his alleged role in Michigan’s sign-stealing scheme, Stallions revealed on social media earlier this year that for seven games over two seasons, including Michigan’s 2023 national championship campaign, he knew virtually all of the opponents’ signals.
Although the case summary does not show any direct involvement by McElwain, he was found to be responsible under the NCAA’s head coach responsibility rules. Retired since the end of the 2024 season, he was given a two-year show-cause order, restricting him from all coaching duties for the first year. If he lands a job at an NCAA school, he would be suspended for 30 percent of games for the first year and 20 percent for the second year.
Central Michigan, along with McElwain and the three former staff members agreed to take the deal offered by the NCAA’s enforcement staff on sportsmanship. The NCAA’s Committee on Infractions approved the deal.
In its 19-page report released Thursday, former Chippeawas QBs coach Jack Kostner requested extra coaching gear from Nate Mason, former coordinator of athletic equipment operations, which sidestepped the program’s regular procedures. Koster asked former director of recruiting Mike McGee to pass on the clothing and sideline pass to his friend Stalions, though Kostner had used an alias for Stalions.
“McGee was unaware of whom exactly the gear was for, but knew it was for a friend of Kostner’s who was skilled in deciphering signals,” the NCAA wrote. “During the game, Stalions stood in close proximity to McGee and other football staff. Given his staff’s direct involvement in the arrangement, Jim McElwain, former football head coach, is responsible for their violations under the head coaching responsibility legislation.”
For his part, Kostner was given a four-year show-cause order, requiring NCAA approval for any school interested in hiring him. The school would also have to show why it should not be penalized for bringing him on staff. Kostner also cannot attend any athletic-related activities for the first year and 50% of the second year, and would be suspended for 50% of the football season in the second year.
McGee and Mason are restricted from all athletic-related activities in the first year as part of their two-year show-cause orders. Both would be suspended for 30% of football games for the second year if they were hired by an NCAA school.
In addition to the probation, Central Michigan must pay a fine of $30,000 in addition to 1% of the football budget.
