Kostner, who had two separate stints with CMU as a coaching assistant, resigned two days after their opening contest.
The saga of what happened the night of the Michigan State/Central Michigan game on Sept. 2023 continues to play out, as news of CMU quarterbacks coach Jake Kostner’s resignation went public on Sunday afternoon.
Per Chris Vannini of The Athletic, Kostner’s resignation went official on Sept. 15, 2024, the day after CMU’s 30-9 loss to Illinois, but was sent on Aug. 31, 2024, two days after the program’s win over Central Connecticut State to open the season.
Central Michigan underwent the process of removing Kostner from staff directories and other affiliated media on Friday afternoon. Prior to this weekend, Kostner was still featured in game programs, digital game notes and flipcards as CMU’s quarterbacks coach.
“We can confirm Jake Kostner has separated from the institution,” a spokesperson said regarding the report. “CMU does not comment publicly on personnel matters.”
Kostner’s initial resignation date lines up to a few days after the release of “UNTOLD: Sign Stealer”, the Netflix documentary which discussed the Stalions investigation. The documentary was released on Aug. 27, with CMU athletic director Amy Folan releasing a statement at the time.
Kostner has long been rumored to be linked to the Conor Stalions manifesto, as he fit the profile of the “GA from Central” Stalions referred to in a text discussion in 2021 uncovered by Sports Illustrated’s Richard Johnson.
Kostner acquired his degree from the University of Michigan in 2018, and previously worked under Jim Harbaugh for four seasons before working under then-offensive coordinator Charlie Frye as a graduate assistant in 2019 at CMU.
Kostner also worked under Tom Herman and Steve Sarkisian at the University of Texas from 2020-21 before spending a year as Limestone [SC] College’s offensive coordinator and QB coach. Kostner re-joined the CMU staff prior to the 2023 season, with the Sept. 1 game against Michigan State his first game back since the end of his 2019 stint
FootballScoop’s Zach Barnett reported Kostner was set to resign before the season in July 2024, being replaced on an interim basis by off-field analyst John Leister.
Leister, a former MLB pitcher, has experience as an on-field coach, holding offensive coordinator duties at D-III Alma [MI] College from 1994-2011 and OC/QB coach duties at D-II Lindenwood from 2018-19.
Hustle Belt could not independently verify the Leister move due to CMU bylaws regarding personnel matters.
Central Michigan is now on a BYE week coming off a last-gasp victory against San Diego State at home to advance to 3-2 in the 2024 campaign.
Their next game is against Ohio on Oct. 12.