It doesn’t end for Michigan in SpyGate, the Big Ten Edition.
Friday, Michigan announced that they fired linebackers coach Chris Partridge without providing any details as to why the move was made 10 games into the season and just a day out of a road tilt against Maryland. However, Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports reports that Michigan was provided with new evidence from the NCAA investigation into SpyGate which prompted the University to cut ties with Partridge immediately.
ESPN’s Tom VanHaaren added that Partidge’s firing wasn’t related to any evidence tying the now-former Michigan coach to the University’s sign-stealing scheme but more so that he didn’t cooperate in the NCAA investigation.
“From the outset, our focus has been on seeking due process and allowing the NCAA to conduct a fair and deliberate investigation,” Michigan said in a prepared statement. “Although the Big Ten has closed its investigation, we are continuing to cooperate with the NCAA as it moves forward with its ongoing investigation. Consistent with our commitment to integrity, we will continue to take the appropriate actions, including disciplinary measures, based on information we obtain. Earlier today, Michigan Athletics relieved Chris Partridge of his duties as a member of the Michigan Football staff. Due to employee privacy laws, we are unable to comment further.”
ESPN.com
But not only did Partridge not comply with the NCAA investigation, according to Ross Dellenger and Dan Wetzel at Yahoo Sports, the linebackers coach also actively covered up the evidence.
Multiple sources say that Partridge is not alleged at this time of knowing about the advanced scouting by Stalions, but acted after the fact to cover up evidence.Â
Yahoo Sports
All of this also comes a day after Michigan dropped its legal action against the Big Ten coming to terms with Jim Harbaugh fulfilling the remainder of his three-game regular season ban while the Conference drops its investigation. Harbaugh will now miss the last two games of the season against Maryland this weekend and the massive tilt Thanksgiving weekend against Ohio State. Also, with the suspension now intact, Harbaugh is on track to miss half of Michigan’s 2023 season due to suspension after previously sitting out the first three games of the year after lying to NCAA investigators over recruiting violations during the COVID dead period.
Meanwhile, Partridge, who returned to Michigan in 2023 to help the Wolverines build one of the more formidable defenses in college football becomes the second staffer this season to be dismissed from the program. Last week, Connor Stalions, who’s been at the front of college football’s edition of SpyGate resigned from his position with the team.
As far as the rest of the season goes, Rick Minter will serve as the linebackers coach.