Michigan sign-stealing allegations: Chris Partridge releases statement refuting reported details of termination

With the ongoing situation at Michigan, there has only been one major shakeup to the on-field staff due to the sign-stealing allegations. Linebackers coach Chris Partridge was fired on Nov. 17, just one day before the Wolverines took on Maryland. To this point, there had been nothing released from Partridge but that changed on Monday afternoon.

Partridge has released a statement, refuting the reported details of his termination. He says he was told his inability to comply with the University directive on the NCAA investigation regarding the sign-stealing scandal led to his termination. There was a denial from the former Michigan linebackers coach of knowing anything about illegal activity inside of the program.

“Out of deep respect and consideration for the young men of Team 144, I waited to issue this statement to avoid additional distractions to the Team as they achieved their goal of defeating Ohio State and completing an undefeated regular season,” Partridge said.

“Unfortunately, the manner in which the termination of my employment and my role as a Coach at Michigan has been reported is inaccurate and has resulted in people speculating and making assumptions about my knowledge of, and connection to, the sign-stealing allegations within the football program. I want to be clear: I had no knowledge whatsoever of any in-person or illegal scouting, or illegal sign stealing. Additionally, at no point did I destroy any evidence relation to an ongoing investigation.

“As explained to me by Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel in person on the morning of November 17, 2023, and as forth in my termination letter of the same date, signed by Doug Gnodtke, Michigan Athletics Chief of Staff, I was terminated because of a failure to ‘abide by the University directive not to discuss an ongoing NCAA investigation with anyone associated with the Michigan Football Program.’

“I take pride in being a trusted mentor to the athletes that I coach. One of my core values is to be a source of support, through thick and thin, for each and every student-athlete that I am responsible for. I have never wavered from that responsibility. While I am extremely disappointed by the Unviersity’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 on their quest for a National Championship.”

Partridge was in his second stint with Michigan but had only been in Ann Arbor for a year. Ole Miss employed Partridge as the co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach from 2020-2022. When Lane Kiffin made changes in Oxford, it opened up a return to Michigan.

Rick Minter has since taken over to coach linebackers for the Wolverines. Their season will continue on Saturday with Iowa in the Big Ten Championship. Winning in Indianapolis will likely earn a spot in a third consecutive College Football Playoff.