Michigan has received a Notice of Allegations from the NCAA stemming from its investigation into ex-staff Connor Stalions and the Wolverines’ sign-stealing saga, Yahoo Sports reports. A Notice of Allegations outlines rules that are broken by the involved institution as determined by the NCAA’s enforcement staff.
This news comes two days before the scheduled release of Netflix’s documentary into Stalions and Michigan’s alleged cover-up.
Michigan coach Sherrone Moore faces NCAA punishment and a possible suspension stemming from a Level 2 violation after investigators determined he allegedly deleted text messages from Stalions. The violation could result in a show-cause penalty for Moore, whose reported entanglement with Stalions has sparked reaction across college football.
According to ESPN, NCAA investigators determined Stalions removed computer hard drives from the Michigan football offices in October 2023 and gave a Wolverines player a sheet of opponent play calls, in addition to being disguised as a Central Michigan staffer during a game last season against Michigan State.
Stalions resigned in November after the retired United States Marine Corps captain and purported leader of Michigan’s scouting operation was tabbed as the ringleader of the Wolverines’ sign-stealing campaign.
Stalions served as an analyst with the Wolverines for three seasons under Harbaugh. He was suspended with pay on Oct. 20, 2023, one day after the NCAA began its investigation into allegations Michigan was engaged in impermissible scouting of opponents.
“I love the University of Michigan and its football program,” Stalions told The Athletic last fall. “And I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to work with the incredible student athletes, coach [Jim] Harbaugh and the other coaches that have been a part of the Michigan football family during my tenure. I do not want to be a distraction from what I hope to be a championship run for the team, and I will continue to cheer them on.”
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Sign-stealing is not a violation of NCAA rules, but “off-campus, in-person scouting of future opponents (in the same season) is prohibited,” per NCAA bylaw 11.6.1. Stalions reportedly purchased tickets for dozens of Big Ten games, which he would allegedly pay third parties to attend and film opponents’ sidelines to help his role of picking up opponents’ signs.Â
The Michigan Insider’s Alejandro Zuniga contributed to this report.