Michigan Fires Linebackers Coach Chris Partridge; Big Ten Legal Dispute Resolved
Michigan has fired linebackers coach Chris Partridge, the school announced Friday. Rick Minter will take over the role.
The team did not disclose a reason for Partridge’s firing. Two Michigan sources said the school believes Partridge interfered with the NCAA’s investigation into Michigan’s alleged in-person scouting scheme but hasn’t determined that he was directly involved.
The news comes a day after Michigan and the Big Ten announced they resolved their legal dispute and that coach Jim Harbaugh will serve the rest of his three-game suspension as punishment for the scouting and sign-stealing scandal. Harbaugh will miss Saturday’s game at Maryland and Michigan’s regular-season finale against Ohio State.
The announcement that Michigan was dropping its legal challenge to the Big Ten’s suspension was an abrupt about-face from the school’s defiant posture in response to Harbaugh’s suspension. An industry source briefed on the investigation said new information continues to come to light through the NCAA’s interviews with Michigan staff members, widening the scope of a scandal that was initially tied to a single staff member, recruiting analyst Connor Stalions.
Officials from Michigan are participating in those interviews, the source said, and learning information in “real time” as the NCAA investigation unfolds. The Big Ten sought information from the NCAA before assessing Harbaugh’s three-game suspension but has now stepped aside as part of Michigan’s decision to drop its legal challenge.
“Although the Big Ten has closed its investigation, we are continuing to cooperate with the NCAA as it moves forward with its ongoing investigation,” a university spokesperson said in a statement. “Consistent with our commitment to integrity, we will continue to take the appropriate actions, including disciplinary measures, based on information we obtain.”
Partridge was in his second stint on Michigan’s staff after joining the program as director of player personnel in 2015. He was promoted to an on-field coaching position the following season and coached at Michigan until 2020, when he left for a coaching position at Ole Miss. An industry source said Partridge was one of the coaches who helped Stalions develop a role with the program during his previous stint at Michigan.
The Wolverines (10-0) enter this weekend No. 3 in the College Football Playoff rankings.