Connor Stalions’ NCAA Appeal Denied: Fallout Continues from Michigan Sign-Stealing Scandal
The Connor Stalions saga took another definitive turn this week, as the NCAA officially denied his appeal related to the sign-stealing scandal that rocked college football. This latest decision reaffirms the governing body’s original penalties, effectively slamming the door shut on any realistic path back to the college sidelines for Stalions.
Stalions, who was found to have orchestrated an elaborate scheme to illegally obtain opponents’ signals - including those of Ohio State - had maintained his innocence throughout the investigation. Despite the mounting evidence and subsequent sanctions, he argued that his actions didn’t violate NCAA rules. But the appeals process has not gone in his favor, and with this latest ruling, his future in college football appears all but over.
The NCAA’s stance has remained firm: the integrity of the game was compromised, and the penalties reflect the seriousness of the violations. Stalions is now facing a lengthy show-cause penalty, a designation that makes it nearly impossible for him to be hired by an NCAA program without significant hurdles.
The Broader Fallout
This isn’t just about one staffer - the ripple effects of this scandal reached Ann Arbor and beyond. Michigan, referred to by many Buckeye fans as “TTUN” (That Team Up North), was also penalized by the NCAA, casting a shadow over its 2023 national championship run. While the title remains in the record books, the controversy surrounding how that season unfolded has left a lasting mark.
For Ohio State fans, the scandal has only added fuel to one of college football’s fiercest rivalries. The Buckeyes endured multiple high-stakes losses to Michigan during the years the sign-stealing operation was alleged to be active. And while the NCAA stopped short of vacating wins or altering championship outcomes, the perception among many in Columbus is clear: Michigan’s success during that stretch came at a cost to the sport’s integrity.
Ohio State’s Response on the Field
The Buckeyes have responded the best way a program can - by winning. After falling short in The Game in 2021, 2022, and 2023, Ohio State flipped the script in 2025, finally snapping the losing streak and reclaiming bragging rights. That victory came on the heels of a national championship run in 2024, further cementing the Buckeyes’ place atop the college football landscape.
For fans in scarlet and gray, the timing couldn’t have been more poetic. Michigan’s title may have come with controversy, but Ohio State’s recent success has come clean - and that’s made it all the more satisfying.
What’s Next for Stalions?
As for Connor Stalions, the road back to coaching at the college level now looks virtually nonexistent. With the NCAA doubling down on its original decision, any potential return would likely require a complete overhaul of the current rules or a major shift in public and institutional perception - neither of which seems remotely close.
Stalions’ role in the scandal has already become one of the most talked-about stories in recent college football history. And while the headlines may eventually fade, the impact of his actions - and the NCAA’s response - will be felt for years in both Ann Arbor and Columbus.
For now, the message from the NCAA is clear: integrity matters. And for Ohio State fans, that message hits home - especially when it comes wrapped in recent wins, a national title, and the long-awaited return to dominance over their biggest rival.