At one time he was reviled being the lynchpin in a cheating scandal that nearly derailed the 2023 Michigan football season. But now former Michigan staff member Connor Stalions is back on the football sidelines.
Speaking to The Detroit News , Detroit Mumford High School head coach William McMichael revealed that he has hired Stalions as his new defensive coordinator for his upcoming first season at the school. He joked that he’s hired “the most hated man in college football” with the hire.
“I got the most hated man in college football right now, Connor Stalions,” McMichael said. “He’s my defensive coordinator.”
McMichael explained that Stalions works as a volunteer for the team and initially met him while Michigan was recruiting his son, Jeremiah Beasley. He called Stalions “great with the kids” with a strong knowledge of football and helping the high school players prepare for college.
“Jeremiah committed to Michigan, and I met (Stalions) during the recruiting process,” McMichael said. “He’s outstanding. I think he knows Michigan’s defense just as well as anyone else who was there with (former defensive coordinator Jesse) Minter and all of those guys.
“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. 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.”
McMichael made it clear that he’s not concerned about any ongoing investigations into Stalions’ actions while he was at Michigan.
“I’m not worried about it,” McMichael said. “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.”
Stalions has earned a lot of forgiveness in the state of Michigan thanks to the Wolverines ultimately winning the national title.