Jim Harbaugh’s former assistant, Chris Partridge, has filed a wrongful termination lawsuit in the Eastern District of Michigan against the University of Michigan, accusing the program’s leadership of having withheld the sign-stealing scheme from the NCAA for years.
After discovering Connor Stallions’ alleged off-campus, in-person scouting operation that violated NCAA rules a couple of years ago, the body found that Michigan committed multiple Level I violations over several seasons.
Partridge, who was fired in November 2023 for allegedly interfering with the NCAA investigation, claims that the then-University of Michigan President Santa Ono directed everyone related to withhold information provided to NCAA investigators regarding the sign-stealing scandal.
The evidence was discovered from the findings of an outside investigation launched by Michigan while looking into former co-offensive coordinator Matt Weiss’ computer crimes.
In his lawsuit, Partridge also alleges that Athletic Director Warde Manuel and other administrators portrayed him as someone who asked players to not cooperate with the NCAA, an accusation that he says was false.
As of now, Michigan has not commented on the claims made by its former employee.
Jim Harbaugh’s Former Assistant Chris Partridge Clarifies His Role In Michigan’s Sign Stealing Scandal
The lawsuit is aimed at clearing Chris Partridge’s role in Michigan’s sign-stealing scandal. Back then, several news agencies and outlets blamed the former assistant for destroying evidence of the wrongdoing.
However, through his 46-page lawsuit, Partridge clarifies that he only asked student-athletes who came to him for advice to lawyer up. There was nothing regarding withholding information from NCAA investigators.
“A Michigan football player approached Partridge, told him he was nervous about his upcoming interview with the NCAA, and asked for advice,” the lawsuit says. “Partridge … advised him to speak with his parents about getting a lawyer and to just be honest with the NCAA.”
Partridge’s allegation comes despite the NCAA exonerating him from three major violations, including the “failure to cooperate” charge in 2025. However, the fallout from all of this has left Partridge without a position in college football despite allegedly no wrongdoing by him.
“I always believe that the truth will eventually come out,” Partridge said. “I went all the way through the process with the NCAA, and the truth prevailed. And I feel I have to go all the way through the process with Michigan for the truth with Michigan to prevail.”
The former assistant is dreaming of reclaiming his title in college football and becoming a head coach in the near future.
“My passion is to be a head college coach,” Partridge told ESPN. “That has always been a dream of mine. I’m not going to give up on that just because other people made bad decisions.”
Partridge expects the lawsuit to recover lost wages as well as the damage to his reputation, honor, career prospects, and personal health.
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