Connor Stalions isn’t done with Michigan—not by a long shot! Even after being cast into the shadows of the Wolverines’ 2023 sign-stealing drama, the 29-year-old remains a die-hard Michigan man. He still dreams of becoming a college football head coach. Back in September 2024, Stalions revealed, “I get a lot of support from various people about eventually bringing me back (to Michigan).” And well, his North Star is still pointing towards Ann Arbor.
Connor Stalions joined J.D. PicKell in a new On3 episode on March 28 where he put his ambition on full display. The CFB analyst asked him if he was still down on becoming Michigan’s HC some day. And his answer was unwavering. “I’ll outwait anyone,” the former Michigan analyst responded. “Whenever it’s time.” But getting back to Michigan’s sidelines isn’t without obvious hurdles. The NCAA’s investigation into the Wolverines’ sign-stealing case is still looming and Stalions knows he has a lot to prove. He’s willing to put in the work, even if it means spending a couple of years on another Big Ten staff, with two exceptions.
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“If it’s not Ohio State or Michigan State, then yeah,” Connor Stalions said. When PicKell pressed in on the idea of him taking a job in Columbus, he gave a blunt answer. “Well, they’d be crazy to do that,” the Michigan outcast said. “Because I think they would know that if I were actually in Ohio State, we would, I don’t know, go 11-0 and then take a knee when we’re down or something late in the game.” Of course, the chances of Ohio State extending that kind of offer are about as slim as Michigan fans rooting for the Buckeyes in The Game.
Connor Stalions is 100% aware. “Obviously Ohio State would never even consider that so this hypothetical I’m putting it back to them,” he said. But he did throw in some interesting spice to the mix that ended in a chuckle — “I mean I’ll answer the phone if they call.” But putting this OSU scenario aside, there’s a good chance that Michigan could bring him back. While Stalions may be on the outside looking in at the Wolverines now, his influence hasn’t disappeared.
Connor Stalions and Bryce Underwood connection
In 2024, Connor Stalions found a job as the offensive coordinator at Bellevue High, the highschool of the No. 1 overall prospect in the nation Bryce Underwood. During that time, the highly-rated QB was committed to LSU before the wild flip to Michigan. So, eyebrows were raised. What did Stalions do to facilitate this unimaginable flip? But it seems there’s no foul play, at least that’s what the HS OC says.
“Bryce Underwood is not committing to Michigan because his fifth offensive coordinator behind the scenes was convincing him to commit to Michigan,” Connor Stalions clearly explained. “I actually had a great relationship with the coach at LSU, Joe Sloan who was recruiting him…Coach Sloan is pretty awesome. I don’t think Bryce was committing or not committing because of one relationship.” But the optics are hard to ignore as a viral photo of the coach and QB surfaced two days after his flip to Michigan on November 21, 2024.
It didn’t hurt Michigan, though. Connor Stalions’ role in recruiting top talent and his unwavering loyalty to the program have kept his reputation alive in Ann Arbor. And if the Wolverines ever come calling, he won’t hesitate to pick up the phone.
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