Fired Michigan assistant coach Chris Partridge claims he was unaware of the sign-stealing plan.
Former Michigan linebackers coach Chris Partridge stated on social media Monday that he had no knowledge of the alleged in-person scouting and sign-stealing program that the NCAA is investigating the Wolverines for, and that he was fired for failing to do so.
Former Michigan linebackers coach Chris Partridge said in a social media post Monday that he had no knowledge of the alleged in-person scouting and sign-stealing scheme under investigation by the NCAA, and that he was fired for failing to follow the school’s directive to avoid discussing the investigation with “anyone associated with the program.”
Partridge said on X, now known as Twitter, that he has avoided making public statements since being sacked 11 days ago because he does not want to distract from the team’s aim of going undefeated in the regular season.
Michigan defeated Ohio State 30-24 on Saturday, clinching a third straight trip to the Big Ten title game with its third consecutive victory over the Buckeyes. No. 2 Michigan will make its third consecutive College Football Playoff participation if it defeats No. 18 Iowa on Saturday in Indianapolis.
Partridge stated in his post that the reasons for his dismissal had been misreported.
“Additionally, at no point did I destroy any evidence related to the ongoing investigation,” he went on to say.
Partridge was sacked the day before Michigan’s game against Maryland, and the day after the school dropped a lawsuit against the Big Ten over head coach Jim Harbaugh’s three-game suspension.
Harbaugh was not there for the games against Penn State, Maryland, or Ohio State.
Connor Stalions, the former employee at the focus of the probe, resigned two weeks ago. He is accused of buying tickets to scout potential Michigan opponents and sending personnel to such games to digitally record teams signaling in their plays. The NCAA has banned in-person scouting as it investigates how organized the program was and who knew about it.
Partridge stated he was fired because he violated a university instruction not to discuss an ongoing NCAA investigation with anyone involved with the Michigan Football Program, according to a termination letter he received on Nov. 17 from athletic director Warde Manuel.
“While I am extremely disappointed in the University’s decision to terminate my employment their decision does not change my continued love and support of Coach Jim Harbaugh, the coaches, and the players of Team 144 as they continue their quest for a National Championship,” Partridge said in a statement.
Partridge’s first season at Michigan was his second.
From 2016 to 2019, he worked for Harbaugh before moving to Mississippi. During his first stint with the Wolverines, he was appointed as the team’s director of player personnel before being promoted to assistant coach for four years.
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