Michigan coach Sherrone Moore could be penalized as part of the NCAA’s investigation into the program’s 2023 sign-stealing scandal, according to a notice of allegations draft obtained by ESPN. Moore allegedly deleted more than 50 text message exchanges between himself and ex-Wolvines staffer Connor Stalions, who is at the center of the scandal.
Among the possible penalties for Moore, who allegedly deleting the texts the same day the scandal became public, are a show-cause penalty and suspension, though these could be subject to change. Currently, the allegations constitute a Level 2 violation; Level 1 violations are the most serious in the NCAA’s punishment process. Former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh previously said he was unaware of Stalions’ alleged improper scouting, but Moore’s level of involvement and the extent of his communication with Stalions was previously unclear.
Harbaugh, Stalions, Chris Partridge and Denard Robinson are all accused of committing Level 1 violations. Additionally, the school faces a Level 1 violation charge for a “pattern of noncompliance.”
Complicating matters, Michigan had another NCAA investigation settled in April relating to alleged recruiting violations. That case resulted in three years probation, fines and recruiting restrictions, as well as one-year show-cause for the five coaches involved. Because of this, Moore would be considered a “repeat violator” by the NCAA for alleged 2023 recruiting violations.
Stalions allegedly bought tickets for more than 30 games — many of them within the Big Ten — and used “illegal technology” to steal signs. Photos also appeared to show him on Central Michigan’s sideline for a game at Michigan State in an apparent effort to conduct illegal scouting of the Spartans.
Sources told CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd last November that the NCAA’s investigation was being put on a “very fast timeline.” Now, after dragging into the second half of 2024 with no clear resolution for the program, the investigation finally appears to be nearing a conclusion with the draft NOA in place.
If Moore is indeed hit with a suspension, it would mark familiar territory for the program. The Wolverines navigated two separate suspensions for Harbaugh last season with no trouble on the way to a 15-0 season and national title before he left to become coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. However, Michigan faces a tougher 2024 slate, which includes games against Texas and USC in September.
