Michigan fired linebackers coach Chris Partridge on Friday, the latest repercussion of an NCAA investigation into the program’s sign-stealing scheme.

One day after claiming the investigation was dropped, Michigan said in a statement that it would continue to cooperate with the NCAA, and the university agreed to suspend head coach Jim Harbaugh from all gameday duties for the remainder of the regular season.

 

As the Partridge news broke, Yahoo Sports reported that NCAA investigators shared details of their findings with Michigan, including that an assistant coach attempted to discard or destroy evidence of the sign-stealing scheme.

The report also named a booster named “Uncle T” as a key financier for a portion of the operation involving staff assistant Connor Stalions. Stallion resigned on November 3rd.

As the Partridge news broke, Yahoo Sports reported that NCAA investigators shared details of their findings with Michigan, including that an assistant coach attempted to discard or destroy evidence of the sign-stealing scheme. The report also named a booster named “Uncle T” as a key financier for a portion of the operation involving staff assistant Connor Stalions. Stallion resigned on November 3rd.

Michigan had been defying the rules. The Wolverines had hoped to obtain a temporary restraining order to prevent the Big Ten from suspending Harbaugh in a court hearing scheduled for Friday, but they backed down on Thursday after learning the NCAA’s findings.

“From the outset, our focus has been on seeking due process and allowing the NCAA to conduct a fair and deliberate investigation,” Michigan said in a statement on Friday.

“Although the Big Ten has concluded its investigation, we will continue to work with the NCAA as it conducts its ongoing investigation.”

Based on the information we obtain, we will continue to take appropriate actions, including disciplinary measures, in accordance with our commitment to integrity.

Michigan athletics relieved coach Chris Partridge of his duties as a member of the Michigan football staff earlier today. We are unable to comment further due to employee privacy laws.”

Rick Minter, the father of Wolverines defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and a former Cincinnati coach, was named to replace Partridge for the rest of the 2023 season. In 2022, Rick Minter worked as a defensive analyst.

Partridge was in his second stint as a Michigan assistant, having returned this season after three years as the defensive coordinator at Ole Miss. He was the special teams coordinator at Michigan from 2016 to 2019.