Report: Central Michigan coach Jake Kostner resigns amid Connor Stalions sign-stealing investigation

Central Michigan‘s quarterbacks coach Jake Kostner has resigned from his post, according to a report from The Athletic.

The publication notes Kostner provided his resignation letter to Central Michigan on Aug. 31, stating he will “pursue other opportunities.” It’s unclear whether Kostner’s resignation is related to an ongoing investigation into how former Michigan staffer Connor Stalions came to be on the Central Michigan sideline for a game last fall.

But the news surfaced just before the 2024 season began.

FootballScoop.com reported at the end of July that coach Jim McElwain had made a number of moves on his offensive staff, including elevating an off-the-field staffer into the role of quarterbacks coach, the role previously occupied by Kostner.

Central Michigan provided a statement at the time, though it did not name any individuals involved.

“Central Michigan does not comment on ongoing personnel matters,” athletics director Amy Folan said in a statement released to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg. “The NCAA investigation is still ongoing. We will continue to cooperate and look forward to a resolution.”

The investigation Folan was likely referring to was the NCAA investigation into alleged sign-stealing by Michigan and Stalions. Stalions was reportedly sighted on the sideline of a Central Michigan game last fall, on Sept. 1 — a game against the Michigan State Spartans, who would later appear on Michigan’s schedule.

But what connections might have been used to secure that sideline access have largely remained a mystery.

During the 2023 season, McElwain personally commented on the ongoing investigation into how Stalions might have been allowed access to the sidelines.

“Before we go any further, we obviously are aware of a picture floating around with the sign-stealer guy,” McElwain said, according to reporter Kennedy Broadwell. “Our people are doing everything they can to get to the bottom of it. We were totally unaware of it. I certainly don’t condone it in any way, shape or form.

“I do know that his name was on none of the passes that were let out. Now we just keep tracing it back and tracing it back and try to figure it out. But it’s in good hands with our people. And again, there’s no place in football for that.”

Central Michigan also released a statement about the alleged photo of Stalions after it surfaced.

“We became aware of these photos late yesterday and we are in the process of determining the facts surrounding them,” the statement read. “As this process is ongoing, we have no further comment at this time.”