Former Michigan coach admonishes media ‘lies’ around involvement in sign-stealing scandal

A former Michigan football assistant coach fired for allegedly destroying evidence in the infamous sign-stealing scandal is now firing back at the media and critics for not including him in the NCAA Infractions Committee’s punishments.

In 2023, as Michigan was in the midst of an ongoing investigation into the program’s alleged sign-stealing scheme, the school fired linebackers coach Chris Partridge.

While UM didn’t provide a reason for the unexpected dismissal, Yahoo Sports’ Dan Wetzel and Ross Dellenger reported that the assistant coach had “acted after the fact to cover up evidence” related to the sign-stealing scheme, which was allegedly run by recruiting staffer Connor Stalions, who had already resigned at that point.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel also reported Michigan had told Partridge that he “failed to abide by the university directive not to discuss an ongoing NCAA investigation with anyone associated with the Michigan football program or others and as a result has determined that you have failed to satisfactorily perform your duties.” Thamel later added that Michigan’s message to Partridge referred to his “conversations within the program, including staff and players” and that “staff members are directed by the school/NCAA not to discuss the investigation.”

Friday, the NCAA Infractions Committee released its findings from its nearly two-year-long investigation. It included several punishments against multiple current and ex-Wolverines coaches, including former head coach Jim Harbaugh. However, Partridge was not among them.

Partridge released a statement of his own, praising the committee for its “thorough investigation” and calling out “lies” made against him in the media.

“I am extremely grateful for the thorough investigation done by the NCAA Infractions Committee. For almost two years, I sat silently while many members of the mainstream media told lies about me and why I was wrongfully terminated by the University of Michigan,” Partridge’s wrote. “It means so much to me and my family to finally have my name cleared and reputation restored. My faith in the process never wavered, and through it all, I stayed true to who I am as a person and mentor. I remained steadfast in my passion for being part of a team and being lockstep with my fellow coaches to provide guidance to young men as they navigate the great sport of football.”

The current Seattle Seahawks outside linebackers coach was cited for an NCAA violation in the report for “engaging in Level II impermissible text contacts with a high school prospect,” but was effectively cleared for involvement in the sign-stealing scandal. The Committee on Infractions (COI) panel declined four mitigating factor violations, including for “intentional, willful or blatant disregard for NCAA bylaws” because Partridge acknowledged his error in the recruiting violation and cooperated in the investigation.

Per the 74-page NCAA report released Friday, Partridge was involved in Stalions’ hiring at Michigan, where he served as a defensive analyst after volunteering for several years. It also details how Partridge “initially withheld roughly 7,000 communications, including 58 text messages with Stalions,” though they were later shared through coordination from his legal counsel.

Partridge’s name came up 138 times in the report, per On3, but almost all of them are related to the Level II recruiting violation.