Michigan has been under NCAA investigation for nearly two years over a sign-stealing scandal during their 2023 national title run, which resulted in Jim Harbaugh’s three-game suspension.
New evidence shows that current coach Sherrone Moore deleted texts involving staffer Connor Stallions, who was the central figure in the scandal. Michigan plans to self-impose a two-game suspension on Moore in 2025, but one analyst warns the penalty could be longer, and the investigation may stretch into 2026.
Sherrone Moore Suspension Could Exceed Two Games in Ongoing Sign-Stealing Scandal
The Connor Stallions sign-stealing scandal has haunted the Wolverines for nearly two years. The story first emerged during Michigan’s 2023 national championship season, leading the Big Ten to suspend Jim Harbaugh for the final three games of the regular season.
In May 2025, the NCAA’s investigation found that Moore had deleted 52 text messages with Stallions, and the NCAA is expected to punish him for this.
While the Wolverines await the NCAA’s response, the University is already planning to self-impose a two-game suspension on Moore during the 2025 season, though the specific games have not yet been decided.
Even with Michigan planning to suspend Moore, On3’s Andy Staples warns that the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions could impose a longer suspension on the Wolverines’ head coach.
“There is supposed to be a ruling from the committee on infractions dropping before the season,” Staples said. “I think there will be more games than the two. I don’t know if it’s four, I don’t know if it’s three, I don’t know if it’s five, I’ll guess four.”
Staples believes Moore could face a suspension longer than two games. He also expects the Wolverines to appeal the initial suspension, which would delay the process further. While the appeal likely won’t succeed, the final suspension decision may not come until the 2026 season.
“The more likely outcome of this is that this gets stretched into another football season,” Staples said.
The sign-stealing scandal has been a long and turbulent journey for the Wolverines, and if Staples is correct about the timeline, the saga will have lasted nearly three years by the time Moore receives his final suspension.
If Michigan accepts a longer suspension for Moore in 2025 than the self-imposed two games, it could put the Wolverines at a disadvantage early in the season, especially with a crucial Week 2 matchup against Oklahoma and the start of conference play against Nebraska in Week 4.
Time will tell if Staples’ prediction is accurate, but right now, the NCAA will likely impose a longer suspension on Moore than Michigan has decided.
