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 25th, 2023 at 2:35 PM ^
Someone needs to find some dirt on this Stapleton guy and take him down.
send the bat signals to Connor Stalions and Wolverine devotee. That’d be perfect if devotee was part of Stalions inner circle
October 25th, 2023 at 6:49 PM ^
Devotee is Stalions! Stalions is Devotee!
October 25th, 2023 at 2:40 PM ^
Strongly disagree with Seth’s “thinks he’s acting in the university’s best interest” take. This guy is clearly wealthy as part owner of the Vikings and he is used to exerting his influence as a lobbyist. He has some personal dislike for Harbaugh for reasons I won’t speculate. But I think he’s acting more in his own self interest than that of the university. Clearly the timing of this isn’t a coincidence.
October 25th, 2023 at 2:54 PM ^
Some people do things because they believe God told them to do so. They still get punished.
October 25th, 2023 at 4:35 PM ^
I strongly agree with the comment regarding the Seth's belief that "Stapelton thinks he is acting in the University's best interest". There is no reason assume good faith on Stapelton's part. The facts strongly suggest otherwise.
October 25th, 2023 at 4:45 PM ^
You could drive Texas through my qualifier there, man.
October 25th, 2023 at 6:19 PM ^
Saved you from a negative point there. You owe me.
October 25th, 2023 at 2:53 PM ^
Regulators!!!!!!!!! Mount up
October 25th, 2023 at 3:12 PM ^
This is a weird Oppenheimer sequel. What did Harbaugh do to this guy?
October 25th, 2023 at 3:14 PM ^
What an embarassing shitshow
October 25th, 2023 at 3:17 PM ^
Guy sounds like trash.
October 25th, 2023 at 3:18 PM ^
I'm sure all schools have their dirty laundry but geez, Michigan's gets aired out in public all the time for the world so see.
October 25th, 2023 at 3:23 PM ^
Whatever comes of all this, I predict Stapleton will soon be Kirk Herbstreit's neighbor in Kentucky. Its hard to believe he will want to stay in Ann Arbor for long.
October 25th, 2023 at 3:35 PM ^
In the middle of the John U Bacon thread, Seth posted a long post that said Sam Webb revealed that it was Ohio State who actually investigated this and put this out there, and that the NCAA hasn't investigated this at all yet. All information that's out there has originated from Ohio State, through their guy Pete Thamel. HOLY SHIT!!!!!!! Why are we not talking about THIS????? I mean Jim Stapleton is a POS for leaking the NCAA's side to the media but if true about Ohio State, that is some fucked up shit. Anyone know anything more about this or is it common knowledge and I just missed it?
October 25th, 2023 at 3:42 PM ^
Ryan Day hired a PI to dig up dirt on Michigan vis a vie sign decoding apparently.
October 25th, 2023 at 3:55 PM ^
That seems like a much bigger deal than Jim Stapleton leaking this to the media.
October 25th, 2023 at 3:51 PM ^
Ron English? This is all about Ron English? They guy who’s 11-46 as a head coach and hasn’t sniffed a head coaching job in 10 years? He’s who this guy is butthurt about UM not hiring? LOL ok.
October 25th, 2023 at 4:05 PM ^
Apparently, he was also a Hoke fan and hates Harbaugh. He was also pissed that Michigan didn't hire more minority coaches
October 25th, 2023 at 3:59 PM ^
Let me know what to boycott.
October 25th, 2023 at 4:11 PM ^
Can we all talk about the hilarity of a guy coming to volunteer to join the NCAA Board of Infractions? Like is that not the biggest of red flags? Was Leslie Wexner next on the list... How they allowed him to even join is lunacy from the NCAA and shows you how "fair" they are as an organization.
October 25th, 2023 at 4:13 PM ^
now that this is coming out will Michigan have standing to have him recuse himself from decisions that relate to Michigan?
October 25th, 2023 at 4:22 PM ^
That's some next-level hating from Jim Stapleton. What a loser
October 25th, 2023 at 4:36 PM ^
Do you think it makes Jim Stapleton look bad to see Harbaugh have so much success while he swore up and down he would not be a good fit for the Vikings?
October 25th, 2023 at 4:45 PM ^
I’m moderately confused, due to all the information and disinformation.
Therefore, I blame Ryan Day.
October 25th, 2023 at 4:48 PM ^
Sounds as if the job Stapleton really wants is Michigan Athletic Director, because he knows better than everyone else how to run a football program.
October 25th, 2023 at 6:13 PM ^
You spelled ruin wrong
October 25th, 2023 at 5:10 PM ^
Definitely not “A jolly good fellow”.
October 25th, 2023 at 5:24 PM ^
This guy leaves his porch light on to steal Halloween candy from kids.
This guy loves season 9 of The Office
This guy kills ladybugs.
This guy picks up his leaves in his yard and throws them in his neighbor's yard.
October 25th, 2023 at 5:50 PM ^
Man, most schools will accept whatever bastard is coaching their team as long as he's winning. UM has so many factions and agendas no one will ever succeed. A house divided will fall. Not sure why that's so hard to comprehend.
October 25th, 2023 at 6:41 PM ^
Just chimed in to say thanks to EYB for reporting this research on this Blog. I've read literally thousands of your comments but rarely see you post. This is important content that adds some measured balance to what has been an all-out assault on the reputation of Michigan Football under Jim Harbaugh. If nothing else it sheds much-needed light on how influential people with agendas COULD do damage to a program not allowed to defend itself....yet. Thanks and Go Blue!!!
October 25th, 2023 at 7:08 PM ^
Thanks Seth! You da man.