Jim McElwain on Connor Stalions controversy: 'I do know that his name was on none of the passes'

Following reports that Central Michigan is investigating a photo to determine whether Michigan staffer Connor Stalions was on its sideline during a game against Michigan State, CMU coach Jim McElwain has chimed in on the matter.

According to the head coach of the Chippewas, his program would have no part in that.

“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.”

The photo that surfaced on Tuesday showed an unknown person in Central Michigan attire with a goatee and sunglasses. It was from the season opener, when Central Michigan took on Michigan State. The unknown person had a sideline pass that read “VB” for visitor’s bench.

Central Michigan released a statement about the photo 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.”

If it was in fact Stalions on the sidelines, it would be a direct violation of NCAA rules. NCAA rules prohibit in-person scouting of future opponents in the same season. Michigan is potentially in hot water with the NCAA after allegations based on credible evidence surfaced that Stalions had orchestrated a scheme to visit opponents’ games and steal signals.

More on Michigan investigation, Connor Stalions

The NCAA opened an investigation into Michigan earlier this month, stemming from in-person scouting rules. At the center of the inquiry, according to the initial report from Yahoo! Sports, was a nearly 30-year-old rule that states “off-campus, in-person scouting of future opponents (in the same season) is prohibited.” Michigan announced Stalions’ suspension shortly thereafter, pending the results of the investigation.

Multiple reports then said Stalions paid for tickets to multiple Big Ten opponents and possible College Football Playoff teams. In fact, one of the people Stalions paid spoke out in an interview with ESPN’s Dan Murphy and said they were paid “a couple hundred dollars‘ to attend games.

The man said he went to games at Rutgers and Penn State last season in addition to the Penn State vs. UMass game this year. However, he didn’t stay the entire time due to bad weather. He was also planning to be at Saturday’s game between Penn State and Indiana, but didn’t wind up going.

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As for what’s next regarding the investigation, Thamel said it’s “unlikely” the Big Ten takes any “imminent action” against Michigan. The conference confirmed it alerted other conference teams their signs may have been compromised when it released a statement on the matter.