Chris Partridge, a former linebackers coach for the University of Michigan, has amended his ongoing federal lawsuit against the institution to include specific allegations against former university president Santa Ono and athletic director Warde Manuel. The legal action, originally filed in March 2026, now claims that top university leadership had prior knowledge of the football program’s sign-stealing scheme months before the controversy became public in October 2023.
The amended complaint, which also names Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti and the University of Michigan Board of Regents as defendants, alleges that Ono and Manuel were briefed on the sign-stealing activities during an internal investigation into a separate matter involving former staffer Matt Weiss. According to the court filings, Partridge contends that instead of disclosing these findings to the NCAA, university leadership instructed staff to avoid documenting the information to prevent potential regulatory exposure.
Amended complaint says Ono and Warde Manuel knew of sign-stealing scheme before 2023 seasons ago, thanks to… pic.twitter.com/rAlzL2yH7N
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace) July 13, 2026
Legal Claims and Employment Dispute
Partridge, who is now with the Seattle Seahawks, was terminated from his position at Michigan. At the time of his firing, the university cited concerns regarding his potential involvement in the destruction of evidence related to the NCAA’s investigation into the sign-stealing scandal. However, the subsequent NCAA Committee on Infractions report did not identify any specific violations committed by Partridge.
In his lawsuit, Partridge alleges that his termination was a reactionary measure taken by Warde Manuel to appease Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti during the height of the controversy. He asserts that the university failed to conduct a proper internal investigation into his conduct, effectively using him as a scapegoat to mitigate institutional pressure. Partridge is seeking damages exceeding $30 million, citing wrongful termination, defamation, and a lack of due process.
Regarding his departure from the program, Partridge stated in his initial filing: “The University of Michigan unjustly terminated my employment and spread false and damaging information regarding [my] professional conduct, tarnishing a hard-earned reputation and inflicting irreparable harm on my career and personal well-being.”
Additional Allegations Regarding Institutional Oversight
The scope of the amended lawsuit extends beyond the sign-stealing scandal. Partridge’s legal team has included allegations that university administration was aware of an inappropriate relationship between former head coach Sherrone Moore and a staff member for several years prior to Moore’s promotion to head coach. Moore, who was appointed by Manuel following Jim Harbaugh’s departure to the Los Angeles Chargers, was subsequently fired on December 10, 2025.
The university has faced a series of high-profile inquiries over the last three years, ranging from the sign-stealing allegations that dominated the 2023 national championship campaign to internal personnel investigations.
Context of the Michigan Football Investigation
The sign-stealing scandal first gained national attention in October 2023, leading to the suspension of then-head coach Jim Harbaugh for a portion of the season. Despite the ongoing investigations, Michigan proceeded to secure a national championship title following a victory over Washington in the final.
Partridge’s tenure at Michigan spanned six seasons across two separate stints. He initially joined the staff under Harbaugh before moving to Ole Miss to serve as co-defensive coordinator from 2020 to 2022. He returned to Ann Arbor in 2023, a position that lasted only nine months before his abrupt dismissal. The legal battle remains in the U.S. District Court, where the defendants are expected to respond to the amended allegations in subsequent filings.
As the case proceeds, the next significant procedural step will involve the university’s formal response to the amended complaint. There are currently no public dates set for a trial or evidentiary hearings, and the University of Michigan has not issued a detailed public statement regarding the specific claims involving President Ono. Further updates will be provided as court records become available.
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