REPORT: NCAA Presented Michigan With More Evidence Before Firing Chris Partridge

It's beginning to make sense why Michigan and Harbaugh took the suspension.

If it's not one thing, it's another. 

It's beginning to make sense as to why Michigan and Jim Harbaugh agreed to the Big Ten's three-game suspension of Harbaugh -- in return, the conference would end their investigation. 

On Friday afternoon, Michigan sent out a statement that it fired linebackers coach Chris Partridge -- who reportedly had a decent relationship with Connor Stalions. 

And now we may know why Michigan has fired Partridge and we know why Harbaugh changed his stance on fighting the Big Ten's suspension. 

Yahoo Sports reported just after Michigan fired Partridge that the NCAA presented Michigan with more evidence this week. A booster named 'Uncle T' helped fund Stalions' scouting scheme and an assistant -- assumingly Partridge -- help destroy evidence. 

The NCAA presented the University of Michigan with new evidence this week, including that a Michigan booster may have at least partially funded Connor Stalions’ advanced scouting operation and an assistant coach allegedly participated in the destruction of evidence on a computer after the scandal broke, industry sources tell Yahoo Sports.

Multiple sources say that Partridge is not alleged at this time of knowing about the advanced scouting by Stalions, but acted after the fact to cover up evidence. Sources tell Yahoo Sports that a booster - named in the NCAA report as "Uncle T" - helped fund the scheme, giving Stalions thousands of dollars for expenses.

There were reports earlier in the week that Stalions sold a California home and made a significant profit. So the whole lone-wolf act was starting to take shape, but now it appears there was at least one Michigan booster who was involved to help fund Stalions. Stalions reportedly bought tickets to over 30 games including non-conference games to scout and steal their signs and signals. 

According to Yahoo Sports' report, Partridge wasn't aware of the advanced scouting but was trying to help cover it up by destroying evidence. 

We will continue to update with more information when available.