The NCAA’s Committee on Infractions (COI) has concluded its investigation into the Michigan Wolverines’ sign-stealing scandal, resulting in significant penalties for both the university and head coach Sherrone Moore. This is what can be expected for the Wolverines in the coming months.
NCAA Hands Down Sanctions in Michigan Sign-Stealing Scandal
In 2023, during Michigan’s national championship run, staffer Connor Stalions was accused of purchasing tickets to more than 30 games across 11 Big Ten schools with the goal of stealing opponents’ signs.
That season, Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti suspended head coach Jim Harbaugh for the final three regular-season games, including the matchup against Ohio State. Despite the Big Ten’s punishment, the NCAA continued its investigation into the case.
Ahead of the 2024 season, it was revealed that Moore had deleted over 50 text messages with Stalions, indicating his involvement in the scandal alongside Harbaugh.
As a result, the university is planning to suspend Moore for two games during the 2025 season, covering their Week 3 matchup against Central Michigan and Week 4 game at Nebraska.
While the university imposed this suspension, the NCAA Committee on Infractions was expected to issue additional penalties for both Moore and Michigan.
In June, the NCAA held an infractions hearing on the Stallions case and determined that Michigan committed 11 violations, six of which were Level I, the most serious category under NCAA rules.
Shortly after the hearing, it was revealed that Petitti, who originally issued the first punishment to the Wolverines, had written a letter to the NCAA asking them not to impose further penalties on Michigan.
Despite this, the NCAA COI has officially issued its ruling, including significant punishments for both Michigan and Moore.
According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, the NCAA COI is issuing Michigan a $20 million fine, tied to lost postseason revenue over the next two seasons, and plans to impose an additional suspension on Moore, which will take effect during the 2026 season.
Sources: Among Michigan’s punishments in the NCAA COI ruling, per me and @danwetzel:
*Michigan receives a significant fine, expected to be more than $20 million, from loss of postseason football revenue for the next two seasons.
*Michigan coach Sherrone Moore is given an… pic.twitter.com/r7YD2CCUqq— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 15, 2025
The NCAA COI’s ruling ends a two-year-long saga and finally closes the Connor Stalions scandal. Many fans expected the Wolverines to lose their 2023 national title or face a postseason ban, so overall, these penalties are relatively minor.
A lot has changed since the Stalions’ news first broke, including a national title, a coaching change, and a full season of college football. The Wolverines are now turning their attention to the 2025 season.
They open the year on Saturday, August 30, with a Week 1 matchup against New Mexico. Then, they will play the Oklahoma Sooners, an SEC opponent. Moore will coach both of those games.
