Former Alabama offensive coordinator gets NCAA show cause, suspension in Connor Stalions case
Former Alabama offensive coordinator Jim McElwain has been given a two-year show cause penalty and a one-year suspension by the NCAA for his role in an incident where disgraced Michigan sign-stealer Conor Stalions was given access to the Central Michigan sideline during a 2023 game vs. Michigan State.
Stalions, who received a 8-year show cause from the NCAA in August for orchestrating the Wolverines’ sign-stealing operation, was spotted in Central Michigan gear and wearing a team-issued credential during the Chippewas’ season-opener vs. the Spartans two years ago. McElwain was Central Michigan’s head coach at the time.
McElwain announced his “retirement” from coaching at the end of the 2024 season, though many believed at the time his abrupt departure was tied to the NCAA case. Should the 63-year-old choose to return to coaching at any NCAA-member school, he’d have to serve a one-year suspension and also sit out 20% of all games in the second year.
According to documents released by the NCAA on Thursday, Stalions used his relationship with former Central Michigan assistant Jake Kostner to gain access to the team’s sideline so that he could “identify and decipher play-calling signals” from Michigan State, which was set to face Michigan later in the season. Kostner got CMU coaching gear for Stalions from equipment manager Nate Mason and obtained a bench pass for Stalions from director of recruiting Mike McGee.
Here’s a Fox Sports 1 screengrab showing Stalions on the Eastern Michigan sideline, wearing coach’s gear and dark sunglasses:
Lions’ Dan Campbell Uses Foul Language While Speaking out on David Montgomery
Veteran running back David Montgomery has posted back-to-back 1,000-yards from scrimmage seasons for the Detroit Lions. But he still does a little bit of everything for his team.
During that win against the Cincinnati Bengals, Montgomery led the Lions
Behind the veteran running back, the Lions defeated the Bengals 37-24.
“Everybody respects David Montgomery, and I think everybody roots for that guy. Because that guy will do anything for his teammates,” Campbell told reporters after the victory. “He lays it on the line on Sundays. He lays it on the line at practice.
“David is that guy. Heartbeat … He’ll do whatever it takes. He’ll stick his face up there in protection; he’ll run the dirty runs. He will run down field to make a block for a teammate in the pass game.
“He’s all [expletive] team. Excuse my language.”
While foul to some, some social media users found Campbell’s honest take on Montgomery entertaining.
Dan Campbell Raves About David Montgomery as Teammate
While describing Montgomery’s attributes as a teammate, Campbell compared the running back to Amon-Ra St. Brown and Kalif Raymond.
Campbell said the Lions also know what they will get from St. Brown every week. As for Raymond, the
That’s why Montgomery remains such an important part of the Lions offense despite the emergence of
Entering Week 5, Gibbs and Montgomery had nearly evenly split opportunities in the backfield. Gibbs held the team lead in rushing yards and yards from scrimmage. However, Montgomery had a 5.7 yards per carry average before Week 5.
That average took a hit Sunday, with Montgomery rushing for his 65 yards on 18 carries. But he led the team in rushing and chipped in six receiving yards against the
Montgomery’s touchdown pass was the second of his career. The running back also had a 3-yard touchdown throw last season.
