Central Michigan Chippewas head coach Jim McElwain is currently the subject of an NCAA investigation as part of the Michigan Wolverines sign-stealing scandal when photos emerged appearing to show disgraced Michigan staffer Connor Stalions on the Central Michigan sideline last year. But it sounds like he has decided to step away from coaching before the conclusion of that investigation.
Last week, Jim McElwain announced that he had decided to resign from his position as head coach at Central Michigan and retire from coaching altogether.
McElwain will step away from coaching after the team’s final regular season game against Northern Illinois this weekend.
“My wife Karen and I have cherished every moment of our football journey,” McElwain said in a statement according to CBS Sports.
“We want to express our deepest gratitude to all the players who have welcomed us into their lives, and the incredible coaches and support staff at every stop along the way—it has been a true privilege to work alongside all of them. The lifelong friendships that were created mean the world to us.”
This decision comes as McElwain and Central Michigan continue to face a an NCAA investigation into the apparent presence of Michigan staffer Connor Stalions on the team’s sideline during a game against Michigan State last year – a future opponent of the Wolverines. Stalions has been accused of illegal advanced in-person scouting, and this incident was a piece of evidence against him.
It’s not clear whether or not the investigation played a role in McElwain’s decision to retire, but the news still led to a lot of reactions on social media.
“Connor Stalions is developing quite the reputation as a coach killer,” one fan wrote on X.
“Interesting timing!” another fan wrote.
“Retiring before they found out just how in the world some random employee of another school made his way onto his sideline,” prominent recruiting analyst Jeremy Birmingham wrote in a post.
“Retiring in the middle of an investigation is a totally normal thing to do,” another fan joked.
“Looks like the Connor Stalions situation finally caught up with Jim McElwain,” another fan added.
“Avoiding punishment, the Harbaugh way and for those that say it has nothing to do with Harbaugh, he coached under Harbaugh and there’s many connections between the programs. Good riddance,” another fan said.
McElwain ends his coaching career with a 77-63 overall record heading into the Northern Illinois.
