Michigan fired linebackers coach Chris Partridge on Friday amid turmoil for the Wolverines. The team is under NCAA investigation for a sign-stealing scheme and head coach Jim Harbaugh will not be on the sideline until after next week’s showdown against Ohio State.
Athletic director Warde Manuel did not disclose the reason for Partridge’s firing, citing employee privacy laws.
The firing came after an agreement was reached with the Big Ten Conference under which Harbaugh will serve the final two games of his three-game suspension. Harbaugh will not be on the sideline for the next two games, with his assistants taking over coaching duties.
The investigation into the sign-stealing allegations involves former staffer Connor Stalions, who resigned two weeks ago. Stalions is accused of purchasing tickets to scout future Michigan opponents and recording teams signaling in their plays. In-person scouting is banned by the NCAA, and the investigation aims to determine the extent of the scheme and who was involved.
Partridge joined the program in February after coaching at Mississippi.
Harbaugh previously praised Partridge, who worked for the team from 2016 to 2019. Partridge was initially hired as the team’s director of player personnel before being promoted to assistant coach.
Harbaugh was suspended last Friday by the Big Ten and missed the victory at Penn State the next day. Michigan sought a court order to overturn the suspension, but an agreement was reached the day before a scheduled court hearing.
Harbaugh, who also served a three-game suspension at the beginning of the season for an unrelated NCAA infractions case, is now permitted to coach the team during the week.
Rick Minter has been promoted to lead the linebackers.
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