Partridge sues Michigan over firing during Stalions scandal

East michigan Assistant football coach Chris Partridge, who was fired during the Wolverines’ 2023 sign-stealing scandal but later cleared of wrongdoing by the NCAA, sued the university, its board of trustees and athletic director Warde Manuel in federal court on Wednesday.

Partridge, now Seattle SeahawksThe linebackers coach was fired on November 17, 2023, amid an investigation into an advanced scouting operation run by then-employee Connor Stallions. Partridge was never accused of knowing about the sign-stealing scheme, let alone participating in it.

But in a 46-page complaint filed in the Eastern District of Michigan, Partridge alleges he was made a “scapegoat.”

Lawsuit accuses Big Ten commissioner Tony Petti of “submission” [Michigan athletic director Warde] Manuel added unproven, second-hand, inflammatory information that Partridge had told an unnamed student-athlete to “not be candid with the information” when speaking with NCAA investigators.

The complaint alleges that Pettitte threatened to embarrass Michigan by introducing information pending an injunction hearing regarding the suspension of then-coach Jim Harbaugh.

Both Michigan and the Big Ten declined to comment.

Citing unnamed sources, local and national news organizations reported at the time that Partridge had “destroyed evidence.”

Partridge denied all claims, saying that he never destroyed any evidence, that he had no evidence to destroy in the first place and that he had merely told a player who asked for his guidance to “call a lawyer.”

“A Michigan football player contacted Partridge, told him he was nervous about his upcoming interview with the NCAA, and asked for advice,” the lawsuit states. “Partridge … advised him to talk to his parents about getting a lawyer and to be honest with the NCAA.”

In 2025, the NCAA Committee on Infractions sided with Partridge on three separate alleged violations, including a reference to the “failure to cooperate” charge in his lawsuit, offering an almost complete acquittal.

“The panel concludes that the case record does not demonstrate that these violations occurred,” the committee wrote.

The complaint claims that by then the damage had already been done. Partridge, despite his job with the defending Super Bowl champions, told ESPN that he still aspires to work in college football, but the impact of the scandal, in which he was acquitted of any wrongdoing, is looming over him.

Partridge, 45, is the former head coach of New Jersey high school powerhouse Paramus Catholic and went on to be a college assistant at Michigan (twice) and Ole Miss.

Partridge told ESPN that the lawsuit is designed to clear his name in hopes that he can return to the college level as a head coach. He is seeking recovery of lost wages as well as damages caused by the impact the firing has had on his professional reputation, career prospects and personal health.

Partridge said, “I always believe that the truth will eventually come out.” “I went through the entire process with the NCAA and the truth prevailed. And I think I have to go through the entire process with Michigan for the truth to prevail with Michigan.”

The lawsuit provides a window into the intense and contentious back-and-forth between the Big Ten and Michigan during the 2023 season.

The sign-stealing scandal came to light on October 18, when the NCAA was presented with evidence by a still-unnamed third party that the Stallions were sending individuals to opponents’ stadiums to film sideline signals. Over the following weeks, additional information emerged almost daily, making headlines as the Wolverines went 15–0 en route to a national championship season.

Things worsened when the Big Ten handed Harbaugh a three-game suspension, citing the “sportsmanship” clause. Angered by the suspension, Harbaugh and the university sought an injunction.

Partridge’s complaint says Pettit told Michigan that disclosing the new “information would likely lead to the Washtenaw County Circuit Court’s denial of Michigan and Harbaugh’s request for an injunction.”

However, the lawsuit argues that the information was merely “unconfirmed, outdated, false information about Partridge.”

Regardless, according to the complaint, “Manuel offered to fire Partridge and dismiss Michigan and Harbaugh’s legal claims against the Big Ten and Petty.”

Meanwhile, according to the complaint, “In return, Petty agreed not to publicly disclose the sensational information he shared with Manuel, to issue a positive public statement regarding the parties resolving their dispute, and to do nothing further in connection with the NCAA’s ‘sign-stealing’ investigation.”

Partridge was fired but always maintained his innocence and mounted a prominent defense when the NCAA officially charged him.

Not only did the NCAA committee side with Partridge on the infractions, but the lawsuit alleges that during the hearing, Manuel told the committee that “at the time he fired Partridge, he was under extreme pressure” and “due to this pressure, he made hasty decisions.”

According to the lawsuit, Manuel approached Partridge at the end of the hearing, “shaked his hand and told him he was sorry Partridge had to go through this.”

“My passion is to be a major college coach,” Partridge told ESPN. “This has always been a dream of mine. I’m not going to give up on it just because other people made bad decisions.”

The lawsuit also states that if Manuel had properly supervised Harbaugh and the Stallions, none of this scandal would have happened in the first place, as Partridge had nothing to do with the advanced scouting operation.

It also noted how Manuel’s immediate firing of Partridge is inconsistent with how Manuel handled allegations against other athletic department staff members, including former head coach Sharon Moore, who was fired in December for having an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.

Shortly after Moore’s dismissal, the university hired Jenner & Block, a Chicago-based law firm, to conduct a full-scale review of the culture, conduct and procedures of the entire athletic department following a series of scandals. It is expected to share its findings this spring.