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Connor Stalions' debut as defensive coordinator for Michigan high school results in lopsided loss

hunterby:Hunter Shelton•08/30/24•

HunterShelton_

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Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Former University of Michigan staffer Connor Stalions is once again in headlines following the release of Netflix’s “Untold: Sign Stealer” documentary, which focused on Stalions and the Michigan sign-stealing scandal that surfaced last fall.

Stalions resigned from his position in Ann Arbor and is no longer in the college football ranks, but his time on the sidelines isn’t over. Earlier this month, he was named the defensive coordinator at Detriot Mumford High School in a volunteer role.

The Mustangs began their season on Thursday night, but things didn’t go in favor of Stalions, as his defense allowed 47 points in a 31-point loss at home to Lee M. Thurston High.

According to The Detroit News, which originally reported Stalions’ move to the high school ranks, Stalions had a prior relationship with Mumford head coach William McMichael. McMichael is the father of former Michigan enrollee Jeremiah Beasley — who has since transferred to Missouri after the departure of Jim Harbaugh — and got to know Stalions when the Wolverines were recruiting his son.

“He’s great with the kids, has an outstanding football mind and we’re learning a lot — not just the kids, but the coaching staff,” McMichael said to The News. “He’s a great addition to what we’re doing. He can help prepare the kids for college. They are learning the lingo, how they practice college and how they break down film, so it gives the kids an advantage.”

Earlier this week, The NCAA delivered its full Notice of Allegations (NOA) to Michigan regarding the scandal surrounding Stalions. The NOA was delivered just two days before the premiere of the Netflix documentary.

The NOA for the Stalions scandal comes just weeks after Michigan and former Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh received penalties from the NCAA for recruiting violations and impermissible benefits during the Covid-19 recruiting dead period. That punishment included a one-year suspension for Harbaugh and a multi-year show-cause penalty.

Mumford and McMichael, however, are not concerned with the NCAA investigation.

“I’m not worried about it,” McMichael told the News. “What happened with the NCAA doesn’t concern us here at Mumford. He comes here every day and gives 120%, and the kids all love him and we’re all learning from him.”

Mumford has won just one game in each of the past two seasons. The Mustangs will look to bounce back next Friday, when it heads to Flint to take on Hamady. The On3 Massey Ratings give Mumford just a 2% win probability.