Breaking: CMU receives punishment for its involvement in sign-stealing case
The NCAA officially handed down punishment to Central Michigan University for its role in the sign-stealing scandal involving a former University of Michigan football staff member.
The incident occurred during CMU football's 2023 season-opener against Michigan State when a Michigan assistant coach was allowed to be present on the sideline in a game that involved a future opponent for the Wolverines.
The former Michigan staff member Connor Stalions was aided by Central Michigan assistant coach Jake Kostner, director of recruiting Mike McGee and equipment coordinator Nate Mason.
According to NCAA bylaws, the former head coach, Jim McElwain, is responsible for any and all actions or misconduct caused by staff members, resulting in individual punishment for McElwain and all previously mentioned coaches.
Central Michigan ultimately agreed upon a two-year probation and a $30,000 fine, plus 1% of the overall football program's budget.
McElwain received a two-year show-cause, restricting him from all football coaching duties during the first year of the show-cause period, as well as a suspension from 30% of regular-season games during the first season of the show-cause. The suspension drops to 20% of regular season games in the second year of the cause.
McGee and Mason also received two-year show-causes, with a restriction from all athletic-related events in the first year and a suspension from 30% of regular-season football games in the second year.
Kostner received the harshest penalty, receiving a four-year show-cause that restricts him from all athletic-related activities during the first year that the show-cause is active. He also received a suspension from 50% of regular-season contests in the second season.
