Michigan sacked LB coach, yet working with NCAA

Chris Partridge, the linebackers coach at Michigan, was fired on Friday.

This is the latest in a string of events stemming from the NCAA’s probe into the program’s sign-stealing scheme.

One day after claiming the investigation was dropped and the university agreed to suspend head coach Jim Harbaugh from all gameday duties for the remainder of the regular season, Michigan released a statement saying it would still work with the NCAA.

When the Partridge story broke, Yahoo Sports revealed through unnamed sources that NCAA investigators had given Michigan a detailed account of their findings, which included an attempt by an assistant coach to remove or destroy any evidence of the sign-stealing scheme. A booster known only as “Uncle T” was also mentioned in the report as a major financier of a portion of the operation involving Connor Stalions, the staff assistant. On November 3, Stalions resigned.

Michigan has been resisting the rules. In a Friday court hearing, the Wolverines had hoped to obtain a temporary restraining order to prevent the Big Ten from suspending Harbaugh; however, they gave up on that request on Thursday after learning the specifics of the NCAA’s findings.

Michigan released a statement on Friday saying, “From the beginning, our focus has been on seeking due process and allowing the NCAA to conduct a fair and deliberate investigation.” “Although the Big Ten has concluded its investigation, we are still working with the NCAA as it proceeds with its current probe. We will continue to act appropriately, including disciplinary action, in accordance with our commitment to integrity, in response to the information we learn. Coach Chris Partridge was relieved of his responsibilities as a member of the Michigan football staff earlier today by Michigan athletics. We are unable to comment further due to laws pertaining to employee privacy.”

The Wolverines defensive coordinator Jesse Minter’s father, former Cincinnati coach Rick Minter, was selected to take Partridge’s place for the balance of the 2023 campaign. In 2022, Rick Minter worked as a defensive analyst for the company.

After serving as the defensive coordinator for Ole Miss for three years, Partridge was back for his second stint as an assistant at Michigan this season. He served as Michigan’s special teams coordinator from 2016 to 2019 prior to accepting that position.