Former Michigan linebackers coach Chris Partridge has retained legal representation and is considering suing his former employer over his firing, according to a report Tuesday from Michigan insider John U. Bacon.
Partridge was an original member of Jim Harbaugh's Michigan staff, starting in 2015 as director of player personnel and rising to safeties coach and special teams coordinator before taking a co-coordinator role at Ole Miss in 2020. He returned to Ann Arbor in 2023 intially as an analyst, but was later promoted to linebackers coach. That lasted only until Nov. 17, when he was fired as the program was embroiled in the Connor Stalions scouting scandal.
Partridge denied reporting at the time that he was fired for sharing information in regard to the Stalions investigation, saying he had no knowledge of the operation.
"Unfortunately, the manner in which the termination of my employment and my role as a coach at Michigan has been reported is inaccurate and has resulted in people speculating," Partridge stated on Nov. 27. "And making assumptions about my knowledge of, and connection to, the sign-stealing allegations within the football program.
"I want to be clear: I had no knowledge whatsoever of any in-person or illegal scouting, or illegal sign-stealing."
The Detroit Free Press obtained Partridge's termination letter, in which U-M athletics chief of staff Doug Gnodtke informs him he was dismissed for breach of contract.
"As we discussed today, the University has received evidence that you have failed to abide by the University directive not to discuss an ongoing NCAA investigation with anyone associated with the Michigan Football Program or others and as a result has determined that you have failed to satisfactorily perform your duties. As a result, your employment as a Michigan Football Coach is hereby terminated effective immediately and you will not be eligible for rehire at the University of Michigan."
Bacon writes that Partridge believes he was denied the equivalent of due process and includes a veiled threat that Michigan would be best served by settling rather than going to trial.
Not looking for football scoops these days, but I occasionally hear one anyway. From insiders: Chris Partridge retained Tom Mars and a Michigan lawyer a few months ago. (1/3)
— John U. Bacon (@Johnubacon) June 18, 2024
They're apparently getting close to filing a lawsuit in federal court. As always, we shall see. No telling what's actually on the table until the suit is filed. But a heads up that the Partridge case apparently ain't over. (3/3)
— John U. Bacon (@Johnubacon) June 18, 2024
Partridge's career did not face an immediate setback, landing the outside linebackers job on Mike Macdonald's new Seattle Seahawks staff. And he was under a 1-year contract at Michigan, meaning Partridge's team is not in search of a massive 2024 salary due to him.
Still, Partridge is a first-year NFL assistant working under a rookie head coach. His foothold in the NFL is tenuous at best and so, in addition to clearing his name and seeking any financial reward in conjunction with that, Partridge is likely looking to clear an opportunity to return to college football, should circumstances dictate.
And it seems his strategy begins with Tom Mars intimidating Michigan into a settlement of some sort.
Stay tuned.