Michigan businessman Tim Smith is well-known among fellow Michigan boosters as president of a Detroit-based engineering solutions company and formerly of the NIL organization, the Michigan Wolverines’ athletics organization. He belonged to the Champions Circle.
Smith is said to be “Uncle T,” an unknown donor from Michigan State who allegedly funded the scheme and was involved in the school sign-stealing operation.
Mr. Smith vehemently denied that he was “Uncle T.” The Athletic reached out to Smith, who said he was informed by his attorney that his name had been floated as a mysterious booster.
The funds in question are believed to have directly benefited former Michigan State football staff member Connor Stallions through what was described as sophisticated scouting of the Wolverines’ opponents.
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Michigan State Logo at Michigan Stadium (Simon Brutie/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
According to Yahoo Sports, Smith claims his name is being used to make him a “scapegoat.” He also said that on Friday he learned he had been kicked out of the Champions Circle.
Michigan assistant coach Chris Partridge fired just one day after head coach Jim Harbaugh accepted his three-game suspension.
Smith denies involvement in any financial transactions with the Stallions, The Athletic reported. He also said he never called himself “Uncle T.”
“I’ve never heard that word,” Smith said. “No one ever called me that or called me that.”
Michigan Wolverines helmets before the VRBO Fiesta Bowl National Championship semifinal game between the Michigan Wolverines and the TCU Horned Frogs at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on December 31, 2022. (Kevin Abel/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Smith confirmed to Yahoo Sports that he has been in talks with the Stallions since he left his job with Michigan football.However, Smith made it clear that he does not consider himself to be a close personal friend of Stallion, saying he just “knows Stallion like any other friend.” Stated [football] staff person. ”
Smith added that he was informed by the Stallions that the sign-stealing was funded with money from the sale of the house.
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Earlier Friday, Michigan State announced it had fired linebackers coach Chris Partridge, effective immediately. Rick Minter will be the Wolverines’ linebackers coach for Saturday’s game against Maryland.
Michigan State cheerleaders shout into a megaphone at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The university has not said whether Partridge’s firing is in any way related to the ongoing sign-stealing scandal.
“Effective today, Chris Partridge has been relieved of his duties as a member of the Michigan football staff,” Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said in a statement Friday.
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On Thursday, University of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh agreed to accept a three-game suspension. The decision effectively canceled a hearing scheduled to discuss whether Harbaugh could coach the team for either of the two remaining games of the regular season.
