Meet Jim Stapleton
[EDITOR'S NOTE This post went up a few days ago and I took it down until now because I feared what the outcome might be from angry Michigan fans being given a boogeyman to pin that anger on. This is not a reflection on the OP, who linked all of the information he shared. John U. Bacon is also talking about this guy. It is a reflection of some of the commenters.
I do not defend or condone Stapleton's actions, but I do recognize he is probably acting in what he thinks is Michigan's best interests. I also want to stress that one person using his power and influence to hurt Michigan has nothing to do with the conduct of Michigan or its staffers, nor the conduct of Ohio State, the NCAA, and disreputable reporters. Information is important; anyone detected trying to make him into an Emmanuel Goldstein gets banned. --Seth]
A few days ago, one of the more obnoxious users on the board posted this comment:
I do handyman type work for a commercial property management company in Ann Arbor. We have a half dozen big properties on Main St. lots of our tenants are big local companies you'd know. One tenant tells me that a guy he does a business with is a lawyer who is closely connected to UM athletics, and apparently despises Harbaugh. He apparently was a big Ron English advocate back in 2014 during the coaching search, I kid you not. He was bitter that Michigan didn't go with "his guy" and has never let go of that bitterness. Not long ago he got himself onto the infractions committee at the NCAA and he has major pull now wrt their investigations, and it was shortly thereafter that cheeseburger scandal erupted.
Upon further digging, it turns out that this anecdote is in reference to Jim Stapleton, who is listed on the NCAA's website as a member of the committee on infractions.
Stapleton did indeed campaign for Ron English for a period of time when he was a regent for Eastern Michigan University:
EMU regent Jim Stapleton remains in contact with English and marvels at how he has changed.
"There is no doubt it was a blip on the radar screen during five years with the program," Stapleton said. "There was so much turmoil the last year of the program. Anybody who has worked with the man and knows the history knows that is in no way, shape or form of who he is."
He was also a big Hoke guy:
One fan did not agree, even after Michigan's 26-10 loss to Utah that shook Blue Nation again. Big Michigan booster and current Eastern Michigan University regent Jim Stapleton accused me of falling off a truck and bumping my head.
And he apparently had a hand in Rodriguez's demise:
His reach also extends to the NFL:
And just this year SI wrote a long form article entitled:
Meet the Officials Who Volunteered for an NCAA Job Most Would Run Away From
“I think this is a critical time in this industry, which is one reason I put my hand up to serve,” says Jim Stapleton, an attorney and former regent at Eastern Michigan University. “This group can really make a difference.”
If "most would run away from" this job, it makes you wonder why such a busy man who has a well documented agenda and such strong opinions about Michigan's coaches would run towards it.
October 23rd, 2023 at 8:46 PM ^
DON'T PUT IT OUT WITH YOUR BOOTS, TED!!!
October 23rd, 2023 at 8:48 PM ^
Don’t tell me my business, devil woman!!
I’ve been saying this to my wife for years and she hates it more every time.
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:11 PM ^
That's what marriage is all about.
October 23rd, 2023 at 8:43 PM ^
Fuck this guy.
October 23rd, 2023 at 8:53 PM ^
Conflict on interest
October 23rd, 2023 at 8:56 PM ^
Boo that man.
October 25th, 2023 at 1:34 PM ^
I will fart in his general direction
October 25th, 2023 at 1:57 PM ^
Shart...it does more damage
October 25th, 2023 at 2:14 PM ^
Never trust a fart. Sharting on purpose is too messy.
October 23rd, 2023 at 8:58 PM ^
One more tidbit about him. He was supposed to be the lead or majority owner of the Vikings. But, the NFL came across something and nixed the initial proposed transaction. The Wilfs stepped up and became majority owners after the initial vetting.
October 25th, 2023 at 1:37 PM ^
But he is a minority owner and lobbied against hiring Harbaugh. Now, from a Michigan fan viewpoint - YAY! However, it seems it was done out of spite, not to help his alma mater.
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:01 PM ^
WTF. This guy should be instituted
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:01 PM ^
No secret the guy HATES Harbaugh. He’s finally got the opportunity to empty his clip with this nonsense, believe me he won’t leave one bullet in the chamber.
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:14 PM ^
Any particular reason?
October 25th, 2023 at 1:45 PM ^
What does he have against Jim?
October 23rd, 2023 at 9:06 PM ^
He looks like a wedgie that gained sentience.
October 25th, 2023 at 1:26 PM ^
The only thing I really want to know is whether he too has a Manifesto.
October 25th, 2023 at 1:33 PM ^
Oh, he's got one, although it's the exact opposite of Stalions.
October 25th, 2023 at 1:30 PM ^
finally the posts stay up...
October 25th, 2023 at 1:30 PM ^
*Chappelle Black President Bush Voice*
You’re supposed to be my black brother, man…
October 25th, 2023 at 1:35 PM ^
I do not defend or condone Stapleton's actions, but I do recognize he is probably acting in what he thinks is Michigan's best interests.
It's hard for me to see how it would be Michigan's best interests to have its football program investigated by the NCAA - especially at a time like this, with the team a legitimate national title contender.
Michigan football is winning a lot of games, its players are graduating at a high rate and many of them are doing good in the community as well. Even if you harbored a personal grudge against Jim Harbaugh, you'd have to acknowledge his program seems to be in a good place at the moment.
October 25th, 2023 at 1:42 PM ^
Well, what this dude thinks are Michigan's best interests may not align with, uh, just about everyone else.
October 25th, 2023 at 1:39 PM ^
Stalions should be about ready to execute Phase II of his operation. Surely Phase I was designed to pull Stapleton into the open.
October 25th, 2023 at 2:47 PM ^
I'm waiting for the news Stalions and Stapleton have known each other for years, Stapleton was the reason Stalions had cash, and the plan was for English to come back, name Stalions as OC/DC, then eventually take over.
Manifesto Destiny.
October 25th, 2023 at 1:41 PM ^
Seems like this dude should recuse himself from any and all Michigan-related infraction investigations, for what should be obvious reasons even if he wasn't biased against the current coach.
October 25th, 2023 at 1:46 PM ^
The problem is that he has poisoned the well, so to speak. There are other staffers, especially investigators, on the Infractions Committee who know fully what to feed the boss. It has become an institutional bias, not just an individual bias.
October 25th, 2023 at 1:41 PM ^
That’s not Jim Stapleton. It’s Mike Tirico!
October 25th, 2023 at 1:42 PM ^
Every other person on the NCAA Infractions Committee website lists where they went to school in their bio. Stapleton does not.
Yeah, this looks fishy. Hey, Thamel - where are you?
October 25th, 2023 at 1:43 PM ^
Mr. Stapleton's vendetta was so personal that he took a job in an effort to destroy Jim Harbaugh. This is some next level hatred.
October 25th, 2023 at 1:43 PM ^
I don't feel good about this post.
October 25th, 2023 at 2:38 PM ^
Take some Tums and suck it up big boy. This is college football, if it feels good you're doing it wrong.
October 25th, 2023 at 1:45 PM ^
Todd J. Anson (friend of Jim Harbaugh) tweeted about a possible Stapleton connection three days ago, too.
October 25th, 2023 at 1:46 PM ^
What's his beef with Harbaugh?
October 25th, 2023 at 1:53 PM ^
Literally because he's not Ron English.
October 25th, 2023 at 2:07 PM ^
If that's all that it is, good grief. English may not have the Michigan job, but he's not exactly struggling. He's the DC at a Power 5 program (Louisville).
October 25th, 2023 at 1:46 PM ^
IMO, no matter what comes of this (I believe it will be minimal at worst, reputation hit, fine) I now believe Harbaugh is definitely staying.
I just don't see Jim leaving Michigan under these circumstances, EVER.
So this won't have the ending I believe he wants.
October 25th, 2023 at 2:49 PM ^
Funny how this leak happened right after the news of JH's extension started to surface...
October 25th, 2023 at 1:49 PM ^
This guy is trying that hard to destroy the program because he wants to play God of Michigan football?
I have to imagine this hurts the NCAA too. People now know someone with a personal vendetta is driving this and that hurts their credibility. Hopefully they just want this to finish as easy as possible instead of more coming to light.
October 25th, 2023 at 1:52 PM ^
If all this is true, I fervently hope this does more damage to the NCAA than the University of Michigan.
October 25th, 2023 at 2:12 PM ^
Get the rail boys, time to give this guy a ride out of town!
October 25th, 2023 at 2:14 PM ^
Leaders and Best and weirdos.
October 25th, 2023 at 2:15 PM ^
I'm going to sue Jim Stapleton for psychic distress caused by having to think about Ron English and the 2006 Michigan Wolverines. That defense had Brandon Graham, Lamar Woodley, Alan Branch, David Harris, and Leon Hall. And English couldn't even turn that into a respectable showing against Ohio State. Imagine Jesse Minter with those guys
October 25th, 2023 at 2:20 PM ^
I 100% buy that this is the one behind all the leaks.
but I don't quite understand his logic for one thing.
If he wants Harbaugh out, why sabotage his interview at the Vikings? Or he wants Harbaugh stay but keep getting screwed by NCAA?
October 25th, 2023 at 2:23 PM ^
A lot about this doesn't make a ton of strategic sense. Feels pretty haphazard and emotional
October 25th, 2023 at 2:28 PM ^
He's a part owner of the Vikings. Why would he want another one of his teams to hire the guy he doesn't want at UM?
October 25th, 2023 at 4:34 PM ^
Because he is an entitled asshole.
October 25th, 2023 at 2:29 PM ^
He does not want Harbaugh at Minnesota. He does not want Harbaugh at Michigan. He wants Harbaugh working at McDonalds.
October 25th, 2023 at 2:31 PM ^
Just a general observation - - -
Michigan's alumni (generally the leaders and best) seem to be the one "fanbase" which either 1) work to enrich themselves at the demise of the University's image or 2) use their intellect to 'tear down' others at the University. While this is a very small percentage, it happens on a continuum that never ends.
While I can appreciate a constructive criticism of UM whether it be in any topic, it seems rather "odd" that under the umbrella of "what I want that's best for UM" continually seem to "work at" tearing down the very University which they HAIL from.
How many buckeye alums or fans ACTIVELY work to tear down osu football?
Answer: NONE.
Go Blue.
October 25th, 2023 at 2:34 PM ^
Shocker that Webb wouldn't Identify him....What an absolute gong-show. I imagine he and Lloyd have dinner regularly too.
October 25th, 2023 at 4:11 PM ^
you think Sam is covering for Stapleton? Why would he ever do that?