Partridge sues Michigan over firing during Stalions scandal

"The lawsuit alleges Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti "presented [Michigan athletic director Warde] Manuel with uncorroborated, second-hand, inflammatory information" that Partridge had told an unnamed student-athlete to "not be forthright with information" when speaking with NCAA investigators. The complaint alleges that Petitti "threatened to embarrass Michigan by presenting" the information during a pending injunction hearing concerning a suspension of then-coach Jim Harbaugh."

""A Michigan football player approached Partridge, told him he was nervous about his upcoming interview with the NCAA, and asked for advice," the lawsuit says. "Partridge ... advised him to speak with his parents about getting a lawyer and to just be honest with the NCAA." Partridge denied all claims, stating he never destroyed any evidence and had only told the player to get a lawyer."

"Partridge, now the Seattle Seahawks' linebackers coach, was fired Nov. 17, 2023, amid the investigation into an advanced scouting operation run by then-staffer Connor Stalions. Partridge was never alleged to have known about the sign-stealing scheme, let alone participate in it. But in a 46-page complaint filed in the Eastern District of Michigan, Partridge alleges he was made a "scapegoat.""

Chris Partridge, now the Seattle Seahawks' linebackers coach, was fired by Michigan on November 17, 2023, during an investigation into an advanced scouting operation run by Connor Stalions. Partridge was never alleged to have participated in or known about the sign-stealing scheme. In a 46-page federal lawsuit, Partridge alleges he was made a scapegoat after Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti presented uncorroborated, second-hand information to Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel claiming Partridge told a student-athlete not to be forthright with NCAA investigators. Partridge denies all claims, stating he only advised a nervous player to consult a lawyer and be honest with the NCAA. The NCAA later cleared Partridge of wrongdoing.

Read at ESPN.com