The NCAA has issued sanctions to Central Michigan University and four former personnel, including head coach Jim McElwain, due to their involvement in the Connor Stalions sign-stealing scandal. Each coach was assigned a show-cause order, and the institution faced a monetary penalty.

In the 2023 season-opener against Michigan State, Stalions infiltrated the sidelines aided by assistant coach Jake Kostner, equipment manager Nate Mason, and recruiting director Mike McGee. Stalions, part of the Michigan coaching team, offered guidance on interpreting the Spartans’ signals.

Initially, McElwain claimed ignorance about such activities.
“We … were totally unaware of it,” McElwain stated then, “I certainly don’t condone it in any way, shape, or form, and I do know that his name was on none of the [sideline] passes that were let out.”
Following an investigation, the NCAA held McElwain accountable under head coach responsibility regulations, finding that although he may not have known of the scheme, he bears responsibility.

McElwain, Mason, and McGee were assigned two-year show-cause punishments, with restrictions on their athletic involvement initially.

Kostner received the most severe punishment: a four-year show-cause order, barring him from all athletic involvement for the first year and limiting him to attending 50% of regular-season games in the succeeding year.

Moreover, Central Michigan was fined $30,000 along with 1% of its overall football budget and placed on two years of probation.