Former Michigan linebackers coach Chris Partridge has filed a federal lawsuit accusing the university of using him as a scapegoat for the 2023 sign‑stealing scandal that rocked the football program.
The complaint alleges that university leaders, including Athletic Director Warde Manuel and former President Santa Ono, were aware of the illicit sign‑stealing scheme and other misconduct well before the public revelation.
According to the filing, the alleged knowledge extends to a separate controversy involving former head coach Sherrone Moore and staffer Paige Shiver, suggesting a pattern of concealment that reached senior administrators.
Legal and Institutional Ramifications
Partridge’s legal team contends that these actions constitute violations of his First Amendment and Fourteenth Amendment rights, as well as a conspiratorial effort to damage his reputation.
The lawsuit notes that Partridge was terminated in November 2023, but an NCAA investigation cleared him of any wrongdoing, raising questions about the timing and rationale of his dismissal.
It further claims that Michigan retained an outside law firm to review the sign‑stealing evidence, which was then presented to university leaders prior to September 2023, underscoring a deliberate effort to manage the narrative.
The filing highlights what the plaintiff describes as inconsistent handling of other scandals by Manuel, pointing to the Moore‑Shiver affair as a case where similar allegations were addressed differently.
Paige Shiver, who is also pursuing a separate lawsuit against the university, alleges that investigators withheld critical records, compounding the alleged cover‑up.
The case is expected to reverberate beyond the university, potentially influencing how collegiate athletic programs address internal investigations and protect employee rights.