The NCAA has issued the final version of its Notice of Allegations to Michigan, outlining violations stemming from an investigation into an in-person scouting and sign-stealing operation conducted by a football staffer. The allegations implicate former head coach Jim Harbaugh and current head coach Sherrone Moore.
The NCAA has concluded its investigation into an impermissible in-person scouting and sign-stealing operation within Michigan's football program, resulting in the issuance of a Notice of Allegations (NOA) to the university and involved parties.
Michigan Football Receives Final NCAA Notice of Allegations on Scouting Violations
The NOA alleges violations by former head coach Jim Harbaugh, current head coach Sherrone Moore, former recruiting analyst Connor Stalions, and several other staff members. Harbaugh, now with the Los Angeles Chargers, has denied any knowledge of the violations, but he could face Level 1 violations alongside Stalions.
The NCAA investigation focused on the extent of the scouting operation and the level of organizational involvement. According to NCAA rules, Michigan has 90 days to respond to the allegations. The university could then face a hearing before the NCAA's Committee on Infractions, but a negotiated resolution is also possible.
The NCAA's investigation stemmed from allegations that Stalions, a former Michigan recruiting analyst, purchased tickets to numerous games involving future opponents and sent individuals to digitally record teams' play signals. Stalions, who was initially placed on leave by the school and later resigned, will reportedly break his silence on the matter in a Netflix documentary titled "Sign Stealer."
The allegations against Michigan highlight the NCAA's strict stance on in-person advanced scouting. Records from other Big Ten schools indicate that Stalions' operation was highly organized, raising questions about the level of oversight within Michigan's football program.
The NCAA's investigation hung over the second half of Michigan's unbeaten 2023 season, but the team managed to overcome the adversity and win its first national title since 1997. However, the allegations have continued to overshadow the program's success.
In a separate investigation, the NCAA recently released the results of a recruiting violations investigation into Michigan under Harbaugh. The coach was given a show-cause order that effectively bans him from coaching in college for four years.
The latest allegations against Michigan further damage the reputation of the university's football program. No. 9 Michigan begins its first season under Moore on Aug. 31 at home against Fresno State, and the ongoing NCAA investigations will continue to cast a shadow over the team's future prospects.
