Michigan notified by NCAA of allegations in Stalions sign-stealing case | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumors

The NCAA has taken the next step toward resolving its investigation into the Michigan football program’s sign-stealing scandal.

Yahoo Sports’ Dan Wetzel and Ross Dellinger reported Sunday that the NCAA served the Wolverines with the full notice of allegations regarding the scandal that centered on former staffer Connor Stalions.

The NCAA later released a statement: “The NCAA can confirm that a Notice of Allegations has been distributed to the school and parties involved in the Michigan investigation. To protect the integrity of the infractions process as the case progresses, the NCAA will not provide any further comment on the details included.”

They said the Stalions spearheaded efforts to illegally scout and obtain the signs of at least 13 future opponents on 58 separate occasions between 2021 and 2023. Former head coach Jim Harbaugh, as well as former staff members Chris Partridge, Denard Robinson and Stalions, all faced allegations of Level 1 violations.

The Stalions resigned during the 2023 season, while Harbaugh is now the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. Harbaugh was suspended for the first three games of the 2023 campaign due to recruiting violations and the final three games of the regular season due to the sign-stealing scandal.

While he is now with the Chargers, he could face a “show cause” restriction if he returns to the college ranks in the future.

“Nobody’s perfect. If you make a mistake, you apologize and you fix it,” Harbaugh told reporters on Aug. 5. “I’m not apologizing today. I was not involved in, was not aware of or complicit in those allegations.”

In addition to the individuals, Murphy and Thamel reported that the program also faced a Level 1 violation due to its “pattern of noncompliance.”

It’s not just former staff members, as current head coach Sherrone Moore, who served as interim coach when Harbaugh was suspended last year, could face discipline and a possible suspension after he allegedly deleted 52 text messages with Stalions. Moore is facing allegations of Level 2 violations.

NBC Sports’ Nicole Auerbach noted that most of what ESPN reported earlier this month still stands:

However, she reported that Harbaugh and Moore may be viewed as repeat offenders when it comes to the investigation into the sign-stealing scandal, as the NCAA considers the recruiting violations case resolved.

The fact that the NCAA views key figures in the program as repeat offenders could open the door to more severe sanctions.

This comes as Michigan prepares to defend its College Football Playoff national championship. It is ranked No. 9 in the country entering the season and remains one of the sport’s top programs.

However, the Wolverines went 49-22 overall, 0-5 against rival Ohio State and failed to reach the CFP even once under Harbaugh before the supposed plan began in 2021. His job also appeared to be in jeopardy.

They quickly turned things around, as the plan was supposed to run from 2021 to 2023 and they went 40-3 overall, 3-0 against the Buckeyes and made the College Football Playoff three times.